`Smitty`, as Louis Eugene Smith is referred to by many of his friends, belongs in five categories of this web site; Collectors, Retailers, Wholesale Distributors, Bike Mfgrs & Parts Mfgrs. It should be noted that Smitty hasbeen a business associate and close friend of Howie since the early 1960`s; we have shared many wonderful business and family celebrations together and we are still in constant contact with each other.

• Smitty`s career in the bicycle industry started in 1951 at age 11, when he obtained a job for $0.50 per hour at East Palo Alto Bike Shop, then owned by Art Jensen. After a few years Gene wanted a raise so he could buy a car so he got a job at Smith`s Sport Shop (not a relative) at $1.25 per hour. He was hired away from Smith`s by the wholesale division of Menlo Cyclery at which time he began calling on IBD`s (Bicycle Retail Stores) and selling them bicycles and supplies. Gene also represented California Bicycles selling Flandria brand bicycles to dealers for Mike Cobble.
• In about 1963 Smitty landed the position of West Coast Service Parts Sales Rep for the Murray Ohio Mfg., Co of TN. He moved his young family to Fullerton, CA where he purchased a modest home. His family, at the time, consisted of Sandy (his charming & supportive wife), and Bonny (their first child). Their other four children, Wendy (their second child), Charlie (their third child), Deena (their fourth child) and Oscar (their fifth child) were all born in Fullerton. Smitty worked closely with Carl Musick (the Murray west coast factory rep) and reported directly to Ed McVoy, the Murray factory Service Parts Manager. West Coast Cycle (WCCSC) (Howie`s family company) was one of Smitty’s accounts and that is when Smitty & Howie first met and began their 50-year happy relationship (we did business together, we went family camping together, we celebrated holidays and family events together, we vacationed together; we were and still are very close friends).
• In the early 1970’s Smitty accepted the position of manager of Bicycle Products Development Incorporated (BPDI), the import division of WCCSC, the company then owned by Howie’s family. Smitty worked closely with Howie & Leo Cohen, Bob Hansing, Paul Hinkston, Julio Marquevich and the other employees to greatly expand the company’s business by selling products to other distributors as well as to dealers.
• When the opportunity to become a factory sales rep for several major bicycle component parts manufacturers became available, Smitty founded his own company, Cycle Components, and opened his office and warehouse in South El Monte, CA. His splendid reputation earned him the reward of additional factories requesting that he represent them and as his business flourished he moved to a larger facility in La Habra, which he eventually purchased. One of the factories that approached Smitty (on Howie`s recommendation) was Kool Stop, the manufacturer of replacement brake pad and shoes with office and factory in Lake Oswego, OR. After being Kool Stop’s factory rep successfully for several years, Smitty was invited by Kool Stop’s owners, Harry and Dick Everett, to become a partner in the firm. Since 1978, when their partnership deal was completed, Kool Stop has grown and become an international success story. They are one of the few factories that still produce their products only in the USA and sell to distributors and OEM’s worldwide.
• Smitty’s family is another success story in his life. He is extremely proud of his five grown children who have given him 13 wonderful and challenging grandchildren and 1 great grandchild. He and Sandy (his late wife who unfortunately passed away in 2003) raised their children the old fashion way; with firm love and family values. Bonny and Oscar, the eldest and youngest, of his children were deeply involved in the Kool Stop business at the sales and marketing division facility in La Habra, CA. Both of them have a presence in the bicycle industry and were exhibitors (with and without their father) at the Kool Stop booths at many bicycle expos including Interbike.
• Smitty was recently recognized by B.R.A.I.N. (Bicycle Retailer and Industry News) who bestowed upon him the well deserved honor of their BRAINY LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD at the January 31, 2006 Bicycle Leadership Conference which was held in Tempe, AZ. The Award was introduced and presented by well known industry leader, Pat Cunnane. See the picture gallery.

Picture Gallery for this Item (click images to enlarge)
more details The front cover of the February 1994 Bicycle Business Journal trade magazine which includes a 4-page interview article about Smitty.	more details Page-46 of the February 1994 Bicycle Business Journal trade magazine, the first of the 4-page interview article with Smitty.	more details Page-47 of the February 1994 Bicycle Business Journal trade magazine, the second of the 4-page interview article with Smitty.
more details Page-48 of the February 1994 Bicycle Business Journal trade magazine, the third of the 4-page interview article with Smitty.	more details Page-48 of the February 1994 Bicycle Business Journal trade magazine, the fourth of the 4-page interview article with Smitty.	more details This picture of Smitty was taken in May 2012 in Fort Worth, Texas while Smitty & Howie were there to help celebrate the 100th birthday of old friend, Bill Quinn (founder of the Bicycle Journal Magazine).
more details 1981 Smitty out on a golfing date with three other 'good guy' bikemen; (L to R) Marshall Jensen, Howard Holgate (both from Riteway Distributor), Dick Hobbs & Smitty.	more details c.1997 (L to R) Joe Bernstein (Pettee Cycle-Denver), Gene 'Smitty' Smith and Sandy Smith (Kool Stop), Howie Cohen (Everything Bicycles). The Smith's were spending a week or so with us in Breckenridge; we phoned Joe in Denver & invited him to have lunch with us. Kay took the picture.	more details The actual photo that was used in the 'Anaheim Bulletin' newspaper article published September 27, 1971 about the Gene Smith 'Cyclingest Family' at the Fullerton, CA Bike Funday. Gene & Sandy are on the Gitane tandem with Deena on the rear baby seat. On the 20 inch wheel tandem are Wendy (captain) and Charlie (stoker). Bonny was there and on her own bike; somehow she missed being in the photo.
more details The foyer in Smitty's lovely home in Fullerton, CA, with a display of two reproduction bicycles (an Ordinary & a Dursley-Pedersen, both manufactured, hand made, in the Czech Republic), and two Murray pedal cars.	more details A close-up view of the display of two reproduction bicycles (an Ordinary & a Dursley-Pedersen, both manufactured, hand made, in the Czech Republic), and two Murray pedal cars in the foyer in Smitty's lovely home in Fullerton, CA.	more details This 1948 New Hudson Milk Delivery Tricycle is displayed on one of Smitty's outdoor patios. The tricycle was produced in Birmingham, England by George's Cycle Works.
more details Another view of the 1948 New Hudson Milk Delivery Tricycle is displayed on one of Smitty's outdoor patios. The tricycle was produced in Birmingham, England by George's Cycle Works.	more details One of the bikes in Smitty's collection; a c.1950s Schwinn Paramount track bike. Smitty plans to have this bike restored and displayed inside his home on a special set of wood rollers.	more details Another view of Smitty's early (c.1940s or 1950s) Schwinn Paramount track bike. This is one of the BEFORE photos; the AFTER RESTORATION photos will come in a few months.
more details Another view of Smitty's early (c.1940s or 1950s) Schwinn Paramount track bike. This is one of the BEFORE photos; the AFTER RESTORATION photos will come in a few months.	more details Another view of Smitty's early (c.1940s or 1950s) Schwinn Paramount track bike. This is one of the BEFORE photos; the AFTER RESTORATION photos will come in a few months.	more details Another view of Smitty's early (c.1940s or 1950s) Schwinn Paramount track bike. This is one of the BEFORE photos; the AFTER RESTORATION photos will come in a few months.
more details Another view of Smitty's early (c.1940s or 1950s) Schwinn Paramount track bike. This is one of the BEFORE photos; the AFTER RESTORATION photos will come in a few months.	more details Another view of Smitty's early (c.1940s or 1950s) Schwinn Paramount track bike. This is one of the BEFORE photos; the AFTER RESTORATION photos will come in a few months.	more details Another view of Smitty's early (c.1940s or 1950s) Schwinn Paramount track bike. This is one of the BEFORE photos; the AFTER RESTORATION photos will come in a few months.
more details Another view of Smitty's early (c.1940s or 1950s) Schwinn Paramount track bike. This is one of the BEFORE photos; the AFTER RESTORATION photos will come in a few months.	more details Another view of Smitty's early (c.1940s or 1950s) Schwinn Paramount track bike. This is one of the BEFORE photos; the AFTER RESTORATION photos will come in a few months.	more details Another view of Smitty's early (c.1940s or 1950s) Schwinn Paramount track bike. This is one of the BEFORE photos; the AFTER RESTORATION photos will come in a few months.
more details Another view of Smitty's early (c.1940s or 1950s) Schwinn Paramount track bike. This is one of the BEFORE photos; the AFTER RESTORATION photos will come in a few months.	more details Smitty had this sign made; he is going to mount it on the front yard gate. Smitty has a very complete bar-room in the house. Of course it is fully decorated with bicycle motif memorabilia.