We still don’t know exactly what’s happening with distributor Raw Experience (thanks to correspondent Steve who pointed out that “any practitioner handling administration, liquidation or receivership would be required to inform Companies House the same day” and that the Companies House website still shows Raw as “Active”) but it’s already started to shed brands. First to jump ship is Answer/Manitou – as of 1 May, Answer Products, including Manitou forks and shocks, will be exclusively distributed by Madison Cycles in the UK and Republic of Ireland. Madison has all sorts of other brands (Shimano, Giro, Bell, Park Tool, DT Swiss and the like) but hasn’t had a fork brand since losing RockShox to Fisher Outdoor a couple of years back.

“We believe Manitou forks have great potential in our market,” said Dominic Langan, Managing Director of Madison. “We are currently working hard with the team at Answer to quickly establish a Manitou service facility. It is hoped that this will be fully operational in May.”

“We have been talking with Madison about UK distribution and service for over four years,” said Answer President Glenn Miller. “We are fortunate that circumstances are such that we can now bring them on. Madison has the resources and skilled personnel to take our company to the next level in the UK and Ireland.”