Quintana Roo (company)
Encyclopedia
Quintana Roo is a company that produces products for triathlon, primarily bicycle
s and wetsuit
s. The company was founded in 1987 by Dan Empfield
of Ironman
fame and is owned by the American Bicycle Group, LLC. Quintana Roo is considered a pioneer of triathlon-specific products.
created the first aerodynamic handlebar
for standard road bicycles. It was clear triathlon had created a niche market, requiring new products that focused on all three disciplines contiguously rather than separately. In 1989, Empfield made a bicycle specifically for triathlon, the Quintana Roo Superform. This custom bike was called the first bicycle "built from the aerobars back." With a steep seat angle of 80 degrees, its design was said to help prevent leg fatigue before the run. Lance Armstrong
rode the Quintana Roo Superform.
Bicycle
A bicycle, also known as a bike, pushbike or cycle, is a human-powered, pedal-driven, single-track vehicle, having two wheels attached to a frame, one behind the other. A person who rides a bicycle is called a cyclist, or bicyclist....
s and wetsuit
Wetsuit
A wetsuit is a garment, usually made of foamed neoprene, which is worn by surfers, divers, windsurfers, canoeists, and others engaged in water sports, providing thermal insulation, abrasion resistance and buoyancy. The insulation properties depend on bubbles of gas enclosed within the material,...
s. The company was founded in 1987 by Dan Empfield
Dan Empfield
Dan Empfield is an entrepreneur in the world of multisport, inventor of the 'triathlon wetsuit' in 1987, and the "tri-specific racing bike" in 1989. The original designs were manufactured by the Quintana Roo company, which he founded in 1987....
of Ironman
Ironman Triathlon
An Ironman Triathlon is one of a series of long-distance triathlon races organized by the World Triathlon Corporation consisting of a swim, a bike and a marathon run, raced in that order and without a break...
fame and is owned by the American Bicycle Group, LLC. Quintana Roo is considered a pioneer of triathlon-specific products.
Wetsuits
The company's flagship product in 1987 was the first wetsuit made specifically for triathlon, designed by Empfield. Quintana Roo wetsuits are of varying thicknesses of neoprene rubber, stitched and sealed together. The company has several different designs with assorted features. The latest is the Virtual Pull Buoy featured with the Superfull wetsuit, which gives added buoyancy to the legs during the swim.Tri-specific Bicycles
In conjunction with the first tri-specific wetsuit in 1987, Scott USAScott USA
The Swiss company SCOTT Sports SA is a producer of bicycles, winter equipments, motorsports gear and sportswear.In 1958, engineer and skier Ed Scott from Sun Valley, Idaho invented a ski pole made of aluminium, which compared favorably to those made of bamboo or steel. On the basis of this...
created the first aerodynamic handlebar
Bicycle handlebar
Bicycle handlebar or often bicycle handlebars refers to the steering mechanism for bicycles; the equivalent of a steering wheel. Besides steering, handlebars also often support a portion of the rider's weight, depending on their riding position, and provide a convenient mounting place for brake...
for standard road bicycles. It was clear triathlon had created a niche market, requiring new products that focused on all three disciplines contiguously rather than separately. In 1989, Empfield made a bicycle specifically for triathlon, the Quintana Roo Superform. This custom bike was called the first bicycle "built from the aerobars back." With a steep seat angle of 80 degrees, its design was said to help prevent leg fatigue before the run. Lance Armstrong
Lance Armstrong
Lance Edward Armstrong is an American former professional road racing cyclist who won the Tour de France a record seven consecutive times, after having survived testicular cancer. He is also the founder and chairman of the Lance Armstrong Foundation for cancer research and support...
rode the Quintana Roo Superform.