ROCKSHOX INC
424B4, 1996-09-30
MOTORCYCLES, BICYCLES & PARTS
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<PAGE>
                        FILED PURSUANT TO RULE 424(b)(4)
PROSPECTUS
 
                                4,800,000 SHARES
 
                                     [LOGO]
 
                                  COMMON STOCK
                               ------------------
 
    All  of the shares  of common stock,  par value $.01  per share (the "Common
Stock"), offered hereby (the "Offering") are  being sold by ROCKSHOX, INC.  (the
"Company" or "RockShox").
 
    Prior to the Offering, there has been no public market for the Common Stock.
See  "Underwriting" for information relating to the determination of the initial
public offering price.
 
    The Common Stock has been approved for quotation on The Nasdaq Stock  Market
under the symbol "RSHX," subject to commencement of the Offering.
 
    SEE  "RISK FACTORS" BEGINNING  ON PAGE 7  FOR A DISCUSSION  OF CERTAIN RISKS
THAT SHOULD BE CONSIDERED BY PROSPECTIVE PURCHASERS OF THE COMMON STOCK  OFFERED
HEREBY.
                             ---------------------
 
THESE  SECURITIES HAVE NOT  BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED  BY THE SECURITIES AND
 EXCHANGE  COMMISSION  OR  ANY  STATE  SECURITIES  COMMISSION,  NOR  HAS  THE
   SECURITIES  AND EXCHANGE  COMMISSION OR  ANY STATE  SECURITIES COMMISSION
    PASSED  UPON  THE  ACCURACY  OR   ADEQUACY  OF  THIS  PROSPECTUS.   ANY
     REPRESENTATION    TO   THE    CONTRARY   IS    A   CRIMINAL   OFFENSE.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                         UNDERWRITING        PROCEEDS TO
                                     PRICE TO PUBLIC     DISCOUNT (1)        COMPANY (2)
<S>                                 <C>                <C>                <C>
Per Share.........................       $15.00              $1.05             $13.95
Total (3).........................     $72,000,000        $5,040,000         $66,960,000
</TABLE>
 
(1) The  Company and  the  Selling Stockholders  have  agreed to  indemnify  the
    several  Underwriters  against  certain  liabilities,  including liabilities
    under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. See "Underwriting."
 
(2) Before deducting expenses payable by the Company estimated at $2,000,000.
 
(3) The Selling Stockholders named herein have granted the several  Underwriters
    an  option, exercisable within 30 days after the date hereof, to purchase up
    to an aggregate of  720,000 additional shares of  Common Stock, on the  same
    terms as set forth above, to cover over-allotments, if any. The Company will
    not  receive any of the proceeds from the sale of such shares by the Selling
    Stockholders. If all such additional  shares are purchased, the total  Price
    to  Public,  Underwriting  Discount,  Proceeds to  Company  and  Proceeds to
    Selling  Stockholders  will  be  $82,800,000,  $5,796,000,  $66,960,000  and
    $10,044,000, respectively. See "Underwriting."
                            ------------------------
 
    The  shares of Common Stock are offered by the several Underwriters, subject
to prior sale, when, as  and if issued to and  accepted by them, and subject  to
the  approval  of certain  legal  matters by  counsel  for the  Underwriters and
certain other conditions. The Underwriters reserve the right to withdraw, cancel
or modify such offer and  to reject orders in whole  or in part. It is  expected
that  delivery of the shares of Common Stock  will be made in New York, New York
on or about October 2, 1996.
 
                            ------------------------
 
MERRILL LYNCH & CO.
                         ROBERTSON, STEPHENS & COMPANY
                                                       JEFFERIES & COMPANY, INC.
                               ------------------
 
               The date of this Prospectus is September 26, 1996.
<PAGE>
                                   [PICTURES]
 
                                       2
<PAGE>
                               PROSPECTUS SUMMARY
 
    THE  FOLLOWING SUMMARY  IS QUALIFIED  IN ITS  ENTIRETY BY  THE MORE DETAILED
INFORMATION AND  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  (INCLUDING THE  NOTES THERETO)  APPEARING
ELSEWHERE  IN  THIS  PROSPECTUS.  UNLESS THE  CONTEXT  INDICATES  OTHERWISE, THE
"COMPANY" OR "ROCKSHOX," AS USED IN  THIS PROSPECTUS, MEANS ROCKSHOX, INC.,  ITS
PREDECESSORS  AND THEIR  RESPECTIVE PARENTS  AND SUBSIDIARIES  ON A CONSOLIDATED
BASIS. UNLESS THE CONTEXT INDICATES OTHERWISE,  ALL REFERENCES TO A FISCAL  YEAR
ARE  TO THE COMPANY'S FISCAL YEAR. IN  1995, THE COMPANY CHANGED ITS FISCAL YEAR
END FROM DECEMBER 31 TO MARCH 31.
 
                                  THE COMPANY
 
    RockShox is the worldwide leader in the design, manufacture and marketing of
high performance bicycle  suspension products. The  Company developed the  first
widely  accepted  front suspension  fork for  the  mountain bike  industry, and,
through a  series of  new product  introductions,  has continued  to be  at  the
forefront  of  the  design  and  development  of  bicycle  suspension.  ROCKSHOX
suspension products enhance  riding performance  and comfort  by mitigating  the
impact  of  rough terrain  and providing  better wheel  contact with  the riding
surface. The Company, which currently  manufactures both front suspension  forks
and  rear shocks for mountain bikes, has combined technical innovation with high
quality products and  creative marketing  to establish  one of  the most  widely
recognized  brand names  in the bicycle  industry. In a  1995 BICYCLING MAGAZINE
readers' survey, 45%  of the  respondents who owned  a suspension  fork owned  a
RockShox  manufactured product--more  than twice the  share of  the next leading
manufacturer--and more than  65% of the  respondents who planned  to purchase  a
suspension  fork  within  the next  two  years  planned to  purchase  a ROCKSHOX
suspension fork.
 
    The Company's sales  have grown  rapidly, from approximately  $6 million  in
fiscal  1991 to  approximately $83.5 million  in fiscal 1996,  a compound annual
growth rate of  approximately 85.5%. The  Company believes that  its growth  has
been  the result of increasing market acceptance of bicycle suspension worldwide
and, more specifically,  growing demand for  ROCKSHOX suspension products.  From
1992  to 1996,  the number of  mountain bike  models available in  the U.S. with
suspension has increased from approximately 80 to over 660. The Company has been
a key contributor to this growth, with ROCKSHOX components now specified on over
460, or more than 60%, of  these 1996 suspension-equipped mountain bike  models.
The Company believes that significant opportunities for growth continue to exist
worldwide.  Although the number of mountain  bikes sold with suspension has been
rapidly increasing, suspension  was included on  only 17% of  all mountain  bike
units  sold domestically  by independent bicycle  dealers ("IBDs")  in 1995. The
Company believes  that the  market penetration  of suspension-equipped  mountain
bikes is even lower internationally.
 
    RockShox  currently markets ten front suspension forks and three rear shocks
under its  JUDY, INDY,  QUADRA,  MAG and  DELUXE  product lines.  The  Company's
products  have  been  repeatedly  recognized  for  their  innovative  design and
superior performance. For example, the Company's  first product, the RS1, won  a
"Best of 1989" award from BICYCLE GUIDE MAGAZINE, and, in 1993, its first QUADRA
front  suspension fork was  voted "Best Product  Tried This Year"  by readers of
MOUNTAIN BIKE MAGAZINE.  The Company's  JUDY suspension fork  received the  1994
award  for "Best Technical Development of the Year" in the bicycle industry from
VELO NEWS, and, in 1995, the Company's QUADRA suspension fork was designated  as
the "Best Value" among suspension forks by BICYCLING MAGAZINE'S BUYERS GUIDE. As
further  evidence of the advanced design and technical benefits of its products,
ROCKSHOX suspension  was used  by more  than half  of the  mountain bike  racers
competing in the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta.
 
    Approximately two-thirds of the Company's sales are to bicycle manufacturers
("OEMs"),  including Trek, GT and  Specialized, who incorporate ROCKSHOX branded
components as part of  new, fully-assembled mountain  bikes sold worldwide.  The
Company  is the primary supplier  of front suspension forks  to eight out of the
ten leading OEMs  selling through  domestic IBDs. Management  believes that  OEM
customers
 
IN  CONNECTION  WITH THE  OFFERING, THE  UNDERWRITERS  MAY OVER-ALLOT  OR EFFECT
TRANSACTIONS THAT STABILIZE  OR MAINTAIN THE  MARKET PRICE OF  THE COMMON  STOCK
OFFERED  HEREBY AT A LEVEL ABOVE THAT  WHICH MIGHT OTHERWISE PREVAIL IN THE OPEN
MARKET. SUCH  TRANSACTIONS  MAY  BE  EFFECTED ON  THE  NASDAQ  STOCK  MARKET  OR
OTHERWISE. SUCH STABILIZING, IF COMMENCED, MAY BE DISCONTINUED AT ANY TIME.
 
                                       3
<PAGE>
recognize  the strength of the Company's brand  name as a deciding factor in the
consumer's choice of mountain bikes. In addition, the Company believes that OEMs
choose RockShox for product innovation and quality as well as reliable worldwide
distribution and service.
 
    The Company's products are also sold as an accessory component to  consumers
through   a   network   of  over   10,000   IBDs  worldwide.   According   to  a
Company-sponsored survey, 85% of responding domestic IBDs identified ROCKSHOX as
the most  important  brand  of  suspension product  sold  in  their  stores  and
management   believes  that  the  Company   enjoys  a  similar  retail  presence
internationally. The  Company's  front  suspension forks  and  rear  shocks  are
generally  priced  to  consumers  from  $199 to  $649  and  from  $199  to $289,
respectively.
 
    Management believes  that the  Company  can continue  to take  advantage  of
significant  growth opportunities by (i) maintaining its leadership in providing
front suspension forks to  the high-end of the  mountain bike market, a  segment
that grew at a compound annual rate of approximately 40% from 1992 to 1995, (ii)
expanding  its product offerings with recently-introduced rear shocks that allow
the Company  to  more aggressively  pursue  the  fast growing  market  for  full
suspension  mountain bikes (i.e.,  bikes that include  both front suspension and
rear shocks), (iii) developing more moderately priced suspension forks, such  as
the  QUADRA  5, which  meet the  needs of  the emerging  high-volume, mid-priced
mountain bike suspension  market, and  (iv) leveraging the  ROCKSHOX brand  name
into new product categories, including suspension products for road and trekking
bikes.
 
    The  Company's principal executive office is  located at 401 Charcot Avenue,
San Jose, California 95131; its telephone number is (408) 435-7469.
 
                                  THE OFFERING
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                            <C>
Common Stock offered by the Company..........                4,800,000 shares
Common Stock to be outstanding after the
 Offering....................................              13,620,000 shares (1)
Use of proceeds..............................  The net proceeds to the Company will be  used
                                               to  repay indebtedness, to  redeem all of the
                                                outstanding  shares  of  Holdings  Preferred
                                                Stock  (as defined below), to make a payment
                                                to terminate  the  Bonus  Plan  (as  defined
                                                below) and for working capital purposes. See
                                                "Use of Proceeds."
Listing......................................  The   Common  Stock  has  been  approved  for
                                                quotation on The  Nasdaq Stock Market  under
                                                the  symbol "RSHX,"  subject to commencement
                                                of the Offering.
</TABLE>
 
- ------------------------
 
(1) Excludes approximately 821,320 shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise
    of stock options outstanding  under the Amended  and Restated RSx  Holdings,
    Inc.  1996  Stock Plan  (the "Stock  Plan"). See  "Management --  1996 Stock
    Plan."
                            ------------------------
 
    Unless otherwise noted, all Common Stock  share amounts, per share data  and
other information set forth in this Prospectus (i) have been adjusted to reflect
the  consummation of  the Merger  (as defined  below) and  (ii) assume  that the
Underwriters' over-allotment  option  granted  by certain  stockholders  of  the
Company   (the  "Selling  Stockholders")  has   not  been  exercised.  See  "The
Recapitalization and the Merger."
 
    This Prospectus includes references to registered trademarks and brand names
of the  Company  and  of  manufacturers who  purchase  the  Company's  products,
including  Trek Bicycle Corp. ("Trek"), GT Bicycles, Inc. ("GT") and Specialized
Bicycle Components,  Inc. ("Specialized").  The Company's  trademarks and  brand
names  include: ROCKSHOX, ROCKSHOX, JUDY, INDY, DELUXE, QUADRA, MAG and ROCKSHOX
GARB.
 
    Market data  and industry  information referred  to in  this Prospectus  are
derived  from  various trade  publications and  industry sources  (including the
results of a suspension study conducted by the Bicycle Market Research Institute
("BMRI"), BMRI's U.S. 1995 Annual Market Assessment Report for Bicycles (20" and
over), MOUNTAIN BIKE  MAGAZINE'S 1996 Industry  Survey and BICYCLING  MAGAZINE'S
September  1995  Subscriber Study)  as well  as the  Company's own  research and
estimates. Unless otherwise noted, all references to "IBDs" include bike  shops,
other sports specialty stores, mail order and television shopping.
 
                                       4
<PAGE>
                      SUMMARY CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA
 
                     (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                YEAR ENDED MARCH
                                                                     THREE
                                                                    MONTHS        31, 1996 (1)
                                     YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,         ENDED     ------------------
                                ---------------------------------  MARCH 31,               PRO
                                 1991    1992     1993     1994    1995 (1)    ACTUAL   FORMA (2)
                                ------  -------  -------  -------  ---------   -------  ---------
<S>                             <C>     <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>         <C>      <C>
STATEMENT OF
OPERATIONS DATA:
 Net sales....................  $6,050  $16,442  $30,941  $37,900   $14,279    $83,509   $83,509
  Cost of sales...............   4,017   10,565   20,113   24,477     9,590     54,110    54,110
                                ------  -------  -------  -------  ---------   -------  ---------
    Gross profit..............   2,033    5,877   10,828   13,423     4,689     29,399    29,399
  Operating expenses..........   1,923    5,541    6,634    6,283     7,627     14,621    12,871
                                ------  -------  -------  -------  ---------   -------  ---------
  Income (loss) from opera-
   tions......................     110      336    4,194    7,140    (2,938)    14,778    16,528
  Interest and other (income)
   expense, net...............      21       67       16        6        51      5,650      (136)
                                ------  -------  -------  -------  ---------   -------  ---------
  Income (loss) before income
   taxes......................      89      269    4,178    7,134    (2,989)     9,128    16,664
  Provision for (benefit from)
   income taxes...............       9      104    1,521    2,420      (653)     3,464     6,478
                                ------  -------  -------  -------  ---------   -------  ---------
  Net income (loss)...........  $   80  $   165  $ 2,657  $ 4,714   $(2,336)   $ 5,664   $10,186
                                ------  -------  -------  -------  ---------   -------  ---------
                                ------  -------  -------  -------  ---------   -------  ---------
  Net income (loss) per share
   (3)........................  $ 0.01  $  0.02  $  0.29  $  0.51   $ (0.25)   $  0.57   $  0.75
                                ------  -------  -------  -------  ---------   -------  ---------
                                ------  -------  -------  -------  ---------   -------  ---------
  Shares used in
   per share calculations
   (3)........................   9,240    9,240    9,240    9,240     9,240      9,240    13,610(4)
 
<CAPTION>
                                  THREE MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30,
                                -------------------------------
                                          1996        1996
                                 1995    ACTUAL   PRO FORMA (2)
                                -------  -------  -------------
<S>                             <C>      <C>      <C>
STATEMENT OF
OPERATIONS DATA:
 Net sales....................  $18,784  $21,378     $21,378
  Cost of sales...............   12,285   13,733      13,733
                                -------  -------  -------------
    Gross profit..............    6,499    7,645       7,645
  Operating expenses..........    3,411    4,159       3,503
                                -------  -------  -------------
  Income (loss) from opera-
   tions......................    3,088    3,486       4,142
  Interest and other (income)
   expense, net...............    1,484    1,292         (49)
                                -------  -------  -------------
  Income (loss) before income
   taxes......................    1,604    2,194       4,191
  Provision for (benefit from)
   income taxes...............      610      845       1,644
                                -------  -------  -------------
  Net income (loss)...........  $   994    1,349     $ 2,547
                                -------  -------  -------------
                                -------  -------  -------------
  Net income (loss) per share
   (3)........................  $  0.10  $  0.14     $  0.19
                                -------  -------  -------------
                                -------  -------  -------------
  Shares used in
   per share calculations
   (3)........................    9,240    9,240      13,610(4)
</TABLE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                          JUNE 30, 1996
                                                                                  ------------------------------
                                                                                                    PRO FORMA
                                                                                     ACTUAL      AS ADJUSTED (5)
                                                                                  ------------   ---------------
<S>                                                                               <C>            <C>
BALANCE SHEET DATA:
  Working capital...............................................................  $   1,797        $   15,878
  Total assets..................................................................     28,665            36,362
  Total debt....................................................................     43,750                --
  Mandatorily redeemable preferred stock........................................      7,449                --
  Stockholders' equity (deficit)................................................    (38,358)           21,194
</TABLE>
 
- ------------------------
 
(1)  In 1995, the Company changed its fiscal  year end from December 31 to March
    31.
 
(2) The pro forma statement of operations  data for the fiscal year ended  March
    31, 1996 and the quarter ended June 30, 1996 give effect to the Offering and
    the  application  of  the net  proceeds  therefrom  as if  the  Offering had
    occurred at  the  beginning  of  the respective  periods,  and  reflect  the
    reduction   of  operating  expenses  of   $1.8  million  and  $0.7  million,
    respectively, related to the termination of the Bonus Plan, the reduction of
    interest expense of $5.8 million and $1.3 million, respectively, and the tax
    effect  of  the  foregoing  (but   exclude  the  effect  of  write-offs   of
    approximately  $2.4  million relating  to  unamortized debt  issuance costs,
    expenses of approximately $6.7  million relating to  the termination of  the
    Bonus  Plan and  the tax effect  of the foregoing).  See "Selected Financial
    Data," "Use  of  Proceeds"  and Note  2  of  Notes to  Pro  Forma  Condensed
    Consolidated Balance Sheet and Statements of Operations.
 
                                               (CONTINUED ON THE FOLLOWING PAGE)
 
                                       5
<PAGE>
(CONTINUED FROM PRIOR PAGE)
 
(3)  For an explanation of the determination of the number of shares used in per
    share calculations and net income (loss) per  share, see Note 2 of Notes  to
    Consolidated  Financial Statements. For the fiscal year ended March 31, 1996
    and the quarters ended June 30, 1995  and 1996, net income has been  reduced
    by  accretion for  dividends on  the Holdings  Preferred Stock  of $357,000,
    $94,000 and $92,000, respectively.
 
(4) Pro forma computation of net  income per share includes 4,370,400 shares  of
    Common  Stock to be  issued pursuant to  the Offering, net  of expenses, the
    proceeds from the sale of which the  Company intends to use as follows:  (a)
    $26.75  million to  repay borrowings  outstanding under  the Existing Credit
    Facilities (as defined below), (b) $17.0  million to repay the Senior  Notes
    (as defined below) and the Junior Notes (as defined below), (c) $7.4 million
    to  redeem all of the outstanding shares of Holdings Preferred Stock and (d)
    $7.3 million to  make payments  to terminate the  Bonus Plan.  Shares to  be
    issued  for working capital  purposes have been excluded  from the pro forma
    computation of net income per share. See "Use of Proceeds" and Note 2 to Pro
    Forma Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet and Statements of Operations.
 
(5) Pro forma as adjusted to give effect to the Offering and the application  of
    the net proceeds therefrom as if the Offering had occurred on June 30, 1996,
    including  write-offs of approximately $2.4  million relating to unamortized
    debt issuance costs, expenses of approximately $6.7 million relating to  the
    termination  of the  Bonus Plan, payments  of approximately  $7.4 million to
    redeem all of the outstanding shares of Holdings Preferred Stock and  $26.75
    million,  $11.0  million  and  $6.0 million  to  repay  the  Existing Credit
    Facilities, the Senior Notes and the Junior Notes, respectively, and the tax
    effect of the foregoing. See "Use of Proceeds," "Capitalization" and Note  1
    of Notes to Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet and Statements of
    Operations.
 
                                       6
<PAGE>
                                  RISK FACTORS
 
    PROSPECTIVE  INVESTORS SHOULD TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE CONSIDERATIONS SET FORTH
BELOW, AS WELL  AS THE OTHER  INFORMATION SET FORTH  IN THIS PROSPECTUS,  BEFORE
PURCHASING ANY OF THE SHARES OF THE COMMON STOCK OFFERED HEREBY. THIS PROSPECTUS
CONTAINS   "FORWARD-LOOKING  STATEMENTS"  WITHIN  THE  MEANING  OF  THE  PRIVATE
SECURITIES LITIGATION REFORM ACT OF  1995 THAT INVOLVE RISKS AND  UNCERTAINTIES.
SEE "SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS."
 
SUSCEPTIBILITY TO CHANGING ECONOMIC AND MARKET CONDITIONS
 
    Consumer  purchases  of  bicycles  and  bicycle  components,  including  the
Company's  products,  are  discretionary.   Any  decline  in  general   economic
conditions,  uncertainties  regarding future  economic  prospects or  changes in
other economic  factors that  affect  consumer spending  could have  a  material
adverse  effect on the Company's direct  customers (OEMs, distributors and IBDs)
and, therefore, on  the Company or  its prospects. Domestic  mountain bike  unit
sales  through  mass merchandisers  and  IBDs in  the  first half  of  1996 have
declined from the first  half of 1995, and  industry sources estimate that  such
sales  will not grow in 1996 as compared to the prior year. Any material decline
in the size of, or  prolonged lack of growth in,  the overall bicycle market  or
the  mountain bike  segment, or  a material  decline in  the number  or business
prospects of OEMs, distributors or IBDs, in general, or the Company's customers,
in particular,  could have  a material  adverse  effect on  the Company  or  its
prospects.
 
DEPENDENCE ON MOUNTAIN BIKE FRONT SUSPENSION PRODUCT LINES
 
    Substantially   all  of   the  Company's   historical  revenues   have  been
attributable to  sales of  mountain  bike front  suspension forks.  The  Company
believes  that most of its sales for  the foreseeable future will be of mountain
bike front suspension  forks. Such  products have been  produced in  substantial
numbers  and widely accepted by the bicycle industry and consumers for less than
five years and  there can be  no assurance of  their continuing popularity.  Any
material  decline or prolonged  lack of growth  in the popularity  of, or market
demand for, mountain bike front suspension  forks, in general, or the  Company's
products,  in particular, could have a material adverse effect on the Company or
its prospects. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial  Condition
and Results of Operations--General" and "Business--Products."
 
SALES CONCENTRATION; DEPENDENCE ON OEMS
 
    In  fiscal  1996,  approximately 56%  of  the  Company's sales  were  to the
Company's ten largest customers, certain of which (including Trek) purchase from
the Company as both an OEM customer  and a distributor. Sales to Trek  accounted
for  more than 10% of the Company's  net sales in fiscal 1996, substantially all
of which were for  OEM use by  Trek. At March  31, 1996 and  June 30, 1996,  the
Company's  three  OEM customers  with the  largest accounts  receivable balances
accounted for  approximately 61.5%  and 47.8%,  respectively, of  the  Company's
accounts  receivable. The  Company has  no long-term  contracts with  any of its
customers and there  can be no  assurance that the  Company's current or  future
customers  will continue to purchase from  the Company. The loss of, substantial
decline in purchases of the Company's  products by, or financial insolvency  of,
any  of  the  Company's  largest  customers individually,  or  a  number  of the
Company's other customers in the aggregate, could have a material adverse effect
on the Company or its prospects.
 
    While the  OEM market  is fragmented,  according to  BMRI, ten  leading  OEM
brands  represent over 75%  of bicycle sales  dollars generated through domestic
IBDs. Management believes that these  OEMs also represent a significant  portion
of  better quality mountain bikes sold worldwide.  All of these leading OEMs are
current customers  of  the Company  and  certain of  these  OEMs are  among  the
Company's largest customers. Management believes that any material growth in the
Company's  business will likely require it to increase sales to, and will result
in additional sales concentration with, the Company's largest OEM customers.  In
addition,  the Company's customers, including OEMs,  may acquire, or be acquired
by, other entities  (including the Company's  competitors) and there  can be  no
assurance  that the combined  entity will continue  to purchase any  or the same
amount of the Company's products.
 
    See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results
of Operations-- Liquidity and Capital Resources," "Business--Industry  Overview"
and "--Sales and Distribution."
 
                                       7
<PAGE>
QUARTERLY FLUCTUATIONS IN OPERATING RESULTS; DIFFICULTY IN FORECASTING OEM
ORDERS
 
    Management  believes  that  the  Company's  future  operating  results  will
fluctuate on a quarterly basis due  to a variety of factors, including  seasonal
cycles,  weather conditions, the timing and mix  of orders and reorders, and the
number and timing of new product introductions. Management anticipates that  the
Company's sales will normally be lowest in its first and fourth fiscal quarters,
which  end on June 30  and March 31, respectively.  Results in such quarters are
particularly sensitive to the timing and size of OEM orders and reorders,  which
are  difficult to  forecast. Any misjudgment  by the  Company or any  of its OEM
customers of the demand for any of its respective products could have a material
adverse effect on the Company or its prospects. See "Management's Discussion and
Analysis of Financial  Condition and Results  of Operations--Selected  Quarterly
Financial  Data;  Seasonality,"  "Business--  Manufacturing"  and  "--Sales  and
Distribution."
 
RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH RAPID GROWTH
 
    Since  its  founding  in  1989,  the  Company  has  experienced  rapid   and
substantial  growth. The Company does  not expect to achieve  such high rates of
growth in the future. There can be  no assurance that the Company will  continue
to  grow or  that it  will be  able to sustain  the level  of sales  that it has
achieved in the past.  Furthermore, there can be  no assurance that the  Company
will  be able to  successfully implement its  sales growth strategy  or that, if
implemented, such a strategy will result in increases to, or maintenance of, the
Company's profitability. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of  Financial
Condition and Results of Operations--General."
 
    The Company's rapid and substantial growth has placed, and could continue to
place,  a significant strain on its employees and operations. Several members of
the Company's senior management have only recently joined the Company and  other
members  have only limited relevant prior experience outside of the Company. See
"Management--Directors, Executive Officers and Key Employees." To manage  growth
effectively,  the Company will  be required to continue  to implement changes in
its business; expand its operations, facilities and internal controls to  handle
increased demand; enhance its information technology systems; and develop, train
and  manage  an  increasing  number  of  management-level  and  other employees.
Unexpected difficulties encountered during expansion, or management's  inability
to  respond effectively  to or  plan for such  expansion, could  have a material
adverse effect on the Company or its prospects.
 
DEPENDENCE ON NEW PRODUCT INTRODUCTIONS
 
    The Company's  future  success will  depend,  in part,  upon  its  continued
ability  to  develop and  successfully introduce  new and/or  innovative bicycle
suspension products and other  types of bicycle components  that will be  widely
accepted  by the bicycle industry and consumers.  There can be no assurance that
the Company will  introduce any new  products or, if  introduced, that any  such
products  will  be  commercially  successful.  Furthermore,  successful  product
designs  can  be  displaced  or  rendered  obsolete  by  other  product  designs
introduced  by the Company  or its competitors.  As a result  of these and other
factors, there can be no assurance that  the Company will expand the markets  it
serves  or  will  successfully maintain  or  increase its  market  share through
product innovations. The Company also anticipates that it may from time to  time
evaluate  acquisition opportunities to  expand its product  lines, including the
possible acquisition  of non-suspension  bicycle  component product  lines.  The
Company  has no  experience in  making such  acquisitions, and  there can  be no
assurance that the  Company will be  able to compete  successfully at  favorable
prices for available acquisition candidates. The Company also has no significant
experience  in  developing,  manufacturing or  marketing  non-suspension bicycle
components.
 
COMPETITION
 
    The markets  for  bicycle components,  in  general, and  bicycle  suspension
products, in particular, are highly competitive. The Company competes with other
bicycle  component companies that produce suspension  products for sale to OEMs,
distributors and  IBDs as  well  as with  OEMs who  produce  their own  line  of
suspension  products for  their own  use and  for sale  through distributors and
IBDs. The Company  believes that it  currently has the  leading market share  in
front  suspension forks.  The Company  only recently  introduced its  rear shock
products for  the emerging  full  suspension market  and believes  it  currently
trails  the leading manufacturer of rear shocks. In order to build or retain its
market share, the Company must
 
                                       8
<PAGE>
continue  to  successfully  compete  in  areas  that  influence  the  purchasing
decisions  of OEMs, distributors,  IBDs and consumers,  including design, price,
quality, technology, distribution,  marketing, style, brand  image and  customer
service.  There  can  be  no  assurance that  any  number  of  bicycle component
manufacturers, OEMs or other companies, including those who are larger and  have
greater  resources  than the  Company or  who currently  do not  provide bicycle
suspension products or do so on a limited basis, will not become direct or  more
significant  competitors  of the  Company. In  addition, OEMs  frequently design
their bicycles to meet certain retail price points, and, as a result, may choose
not to  use a  suspension  product or  may select  a  lower priced  ROCKSHOX  or
competing  product in  order to  incorporate other  components in  the bicycle's
specifications that the OEM  perceives as being desirable  to the consumer.  The
Company  could therefore face competition from  existing or new competitors that
introduce and promote suspension products or other bicycle components  perceived
by  the bicycle industry  or consumers to offer  price or performance advantages
to, or that otherwise have greater consumer appeal than, the Company's products.
See "Business-- Competition."
 
LIMITED PROTECTION OF TECHNOLOGY; ALLEGATION OF PATENT INFRINGEMENT
 
    Because much of the technology associated with suspension products is in the
public domain,  patent protection  is generally  available only  for  particular
features  or functions  of a product,  rather than  for any product  as a whole.
Management believes  that  many of  the  Company's current  suspension  products
contain some elements that are protected by the Company's patents. Nevertheless,
the  Company's  competitors currently  replicate and  may continue  to replicate
certain features  and functions  of  the Company's  products.  There can  be  no
assurance that current or future patent protection will prevent competitors from
offering  competing products,  that any issued  patents will be  upheld, or that
patent protection  will be  granted in  any or  all of  the countries  in  which
applications  are currently pending or granted on the breadth of the description
of the invention. In  addition, due to considerations  relating to, among  other
things,  cost, delay or  adverse publicity, there  can be no  assurance that the
Company will elect to enforce its intellectual property rights.
 
    The Company's  competitors have  also obtained  and may  continue to  obtain
patents  on certain features of their  products, which may prevent or discourage
the Company from offering such features  on its products, which, in turn,  could
result   in  a  competitive  disadvantage  to   the  Company.  The  Company  has
occasionally  received,  and  may  receive  in  the  future,  claims   asserting
intellectual property rights owned by third parties that relate to the Company's
products  and product  features. Although  to date  the Company  has incurred no
material liabilities as a result of any  such claims, there can be no  assurance
that the Company will not incur material liabilities in the future.
 
    Answer  Products  ("Answer"), a  division of  LDI, Ltd.,  which manufactures
Manitou products,  has asserted  that it  is the  exclusive licensee  of a  U.S.
patent  (the "Answer Patent") that Answer asserts covers certain features of the
Company's current  JUDY  suspension  products  (the  "Features").  However,  the
Company  has a patent  application pending before the  U.S. Patent and Trademark
Office (the  "Patent  Office")  that seeks  a  patent  on certain  of  the  same
Features.  In the U.S., patent  rights belong to the  first to invent, and there
can be  only  one patent  issued  for a  given  invention. If  an  invention  is
otherwise patentable to two patent applicants, an "interference" can be declared
by  the Patent  Office in order  to determine  which applicant was  the first to
invent and therefore entitled  to the patent on  such invention. The Company  is
seeking  to have  the Patent  Office declare  such an  interference in  order to
determine that the Company was the first  to invent and therefore entitled to  a
patent  on the Features. Although the Company  believes that it was the first to
invent the Features, there can be no assurance that the Answer Patent (which the
Company  believes,  if  valid,  could  cover  the  Features  of  JUDY   products
manufactured  for the Company's 1997 (current)  model year) will be invalidated.
In addition, Answer (or certain of its related persons) has applied for  patents
that  may cover certain of the Features in various countries outside of the U.S.
and, in  such countries,  patent rights  generally belong  to the  first  person
filing a patent application.
 
    In  an  effort to  avoid the  costs, delays  and risks  of litigation  or an
interference proceeding (including adverse  effects on the Company's  business),
management  of the Company  has commenced discussions  with Answer regarding the
possible settlement of this  dispute. However, the Company  and Answer have  not
reached  any  settlement,  and there  can  be  no assurance  that  any agreement
relating to the Features will be reached. On September 26, 1996, Answer filed  a
complaint alleging that the Company has infringed the
 
                                       9
<PAGE>
Answer  Patent. However, the Company intends to vigorously defend such suit. See
"Business--Legal Proceedings." Answer has informed the Company that, although it
will consider pursuing all of its  legal remedies, it continues to believe  that
the best solution to this dispute is a business settlement, not a legal fight.
 
    If  Answer ultimately retains the Answer  Patent and successfully asserts it
against the Company, or  if any other  person or entity were  to assert a  valid
claim of infringement with respect to, or otherwise have enforceable proprietary
rights  in, features  that the  Company includes  or desires  to include  on its
products, and if the Company were unable to negotiate an acceptable licensing or
other arrangement with  such person or  entity, the Company  could, among  other
things,  be precluded from making or marketing products containing such features
and be required  to make significant  payments to such  person or entity  (which
payments   would  equal   at  least  a   reasonable  royalty   and,  in  certain
circumstances, could  be based  on  lost profits,  in  each case  together  with
interest and court costs; and, in special circumstances, the damage amount could
be  trebled and  include attorneys' fees),  which could have  a material adverse
effect on the Company or its prospects. See "Business--Intellectual Property."
 
DEPENDENCE ON SUPPLIERS; MANUFACTURING RISKS
 
    Although the  Company  has  established  relationships  with  its  principal
suppliers  and  manufacturing  sources,  the  Company  does  not  currently have
long-term contracts with any of its vendors, nor does the Company currently have
multiple vendors for all  parts, tooling, supplies or  services critical to  the
Company's  manufacturing processes. The Company's future success will depend, in
part, on its ability  to maintain relationships with  its current suppliers  and
manufacturing  sources and to develop  relationships with new suppliers. Failure
of a key supplier to meet the Company's product needs on a timely basis, loss of
a key  supplier  or  significant  disruption  in  the  Company's  production  or
distribution  activities for any other reason,  including an earthquake or other
catastrophic event, could have a material  adverse effect on the Company or  its
prospects. See "Business--Manufacturing" and "Certain Transactions--Other."
 
RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS AND MARKET DEMAND
 
    While the Company is currently manufacturing its products only in the United
States,  the bicycle industry is,  and many of the  Company's OEM customers are,
highly dependent on manufacturing in overseas locations, and changes in economic
conditions, currency exchange rates, tariff regulations, "local content" laws or
other trade restrictions or  political instability ("International  Conditions")
could  adversely affect the cost  or availability of products  sold by or to the
bicycle industry as a whole and  the Company's OEM customers in particular,  any
of  which could have a material adverse  effect on the Company or its prospects.
In addition, insufficient international consumer  demand for mountain bikes  and
related  products, including the  Company's products, whether  due to changes in
International Conditions, consumer  preferences or other  factors, could have  a
material adverse effect on the Company or its prospects.
 
PRODUCT LIABILITY
 
    Because of the risks inherent in bicycling, in general, and mountain biking,
in  particular,  and because  of  the function  of  the Company's  products, the
Company from  time to  time is  a defendant  in a  number of  product  liability
lawsuits and expects that this will continue to be the case in the future. These
lawsuits  generally seek damages, sometimes in substantial amounts, for personal
injuries sustained as  a result of  alleged defects in  the Company's  products.
Although the Company has experienced no material financial loss relating to such
lawsuits and maintains product liability insurance, due to the uncertainty as to
the number of claims or the nature and extent of liability for personal injuries
and  changes in  the historical  or future levels  of insurance  coverage or the
terms or cost thereof, such insurance may not be adequate or available to  cover
product  liability claims or  the applicable insurer  may not be  solvent at the
time of any covered loss, any of  which could have a material adverse effect  on
the Company or its prospects. See "Business--Legal Proceedings."
 
GOVERNMENT REGULATION; ADVERSE PUBLICITY
 
    Bicycle suspension products are within the jurisdiction of the United States
Consumer  Product Safety  Commission (the "CPSC")  and other  Federal, state and
foreign  regulatory  bodies.  In  1996,  the   CPSC  sent  a  letter  to   major
manufacturers  and importers  of mountain  bikes as  well as  several suspension
component
 
                                       10
<PAGE>
manufacturers, including RockShox, expressing concern about reports of  injuries
and  recall activity relating to failures  of mountain bike suspension forks and
urging manufacturers  to  participate in  the  development of  voluntary  safety
performance  standards for such suspension products through the American Society
of Testing  and  Materials (the  "ASTM").  The Company  cannot  predict  whether
standards  relating to the Company's products or otherwise affecting the bicycle
suspension industry will  be adopted (whether  by the CPSC  or another  Federal,
state  or foreign regulatory  body) and, if  adopted, no assurance  can be given
that the  implementation of  such standards  will not  have a  material  adverse
effect on the Company or its prospects.
 
    Adverse  publicity relating to  mountain bike suspension  or mountain biking
generally, or publicity associated with actions by the CPSC or others expressing
concerns  about  the  safety  or  function  of  the  Company's  products,  other
suspension  products  or  mountain  bikes  (whether  or  not  such  publicity is
associated with a  claim against the  Company or  results in any  action by  the
Company  or the CPSC), could have an adverse effect on the Company's reputation,
brand image or markets, any of which could have a material adverse effect on the
Company or its prospects.
 
PRODUCT RECALL; WARRANTY COSTS
 
    Bicycles and bicycle components, including suspension products, are frequent
subjects of product  recalls, corrective actions  and manufacturers'  bulletins.
Since its founding in 1989, the Company has conducted three voluntary corrective
actions,   none  of  which  has  been   financially  material  to  the  Company.
Nevertheless, the  number  of  suspension  products  sold  by  the  Company  has
dramatically  increased  since  its  founding,  new  product  introductions  are
occurring frequently,  and the  Company's products  may have  not been  used  by
riders  for  a period  of time  sufficient to  determine all  of the  effects of
prolonged use and the environment on such products. As a result, there can be no
assurance that there will not be  recalls, corrective actions or other  activity
voluntarily  or involuntarily undertaken by the Company or involving the CPSC or
other regulatory bodies on a more frequent basis or at a higher cost than in the
past, any of which could  have a material adverse effect  on the Company or  its
prospects. See "Business--Product Recall."
 
    All  of the Company's suspension products  are covered by a one-year limited
warranty. The  Company  maintains an  accrued  liability on  its  balance  sheet
representing   management's  estimate  of  future   warranty  costs  of  repair,
replacement or  customer  accommodation  for  products  sold  through  the  date
thereof. There can be no assurance that such accrued liability may not change in
the  future or that future warranty costs  for sales made through such date will
not be  greater than  the amounts  accrued by  the Company  on its  consolidated
financial  statements, either of  which could have a  material adverse effect on
the Company or its prospects. See  "Business--Product Recall" and Notes 2 and  5
of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
DEPENDENCE ON KEY PERSONNEL
 
    The  Company is dependent  upon the management and  leadership skills of the
members of its senior management team and other key personnel, including certain
members of its product development team. The  loss of any such personnel or  the
inability  to attract, retain  and motivate key personnel  could have a material
adverse effect  on the  Company or  its prospects.  See "Business--Research  and
Product  Development"  and  "Management--Directors, Executive  Officers  and Key
Employees."
 
CONCENTRATION OF OWNERSHIP
 
    Immediately after the Offering, Stephen Simons and Paul Turner, each of whom
is a director and executive officer  of the Company, will each beneficially  own
approximately 16.2% of the outstanding shares of the Common Stock (assuming that
the   Underwriters'  over-allotment  option  is  not  exercised).  In  addition,
immediately after the Offering, persons and entities affiliated with The  Jordan
Company  will  beneficially  own  an aggregate  of  approximately  31.8%  of the
outstanding  shares  of  the  Common  Stock  (assuming  that  the  Underwriters'
over-allotment  option is not exercised). Each of  John W. Jordan II and Adam E.
Max is an affiliate of  The Jordan Company and a  director of the Company. As  a
result,  Messrs. Simons and Turner and such persons and entities associated with
The Jordan Company may  have the ability to  strongly influence, and, if  voting
together,  will  control, the  election of  directors and  the results  of other
matters submitted to a  vote of stockholders.  Such concentration of  ownership,
together with the anti-takeover effects of certain
 
                                       11
<PAGE>
provisions  in the Delaware  General Corporation Law (the  "DGCL"), may have the
effect of  delaying  or preventing  a  change in  control  of the  Company.  See
"Management,"  "Principal and Selling Stockholders"  and "Description of Capital
Stock."
 
NO PRIOR PUBLIC MARKET AND POSSIBLE VOLATILITY OF STOCK PRICE
 
    Prior to the Offering, there has been no public market for the Common Stock,
and there can be no assurance that  an active trading market will develop or  be
sustained.  The initial public offering price of the Common Stock offered hereby
was determined by negotiations among  the Company, the Selling Stockholders  and
the  Underwriters and may not  be indicative of the  market price for the Common
Stock after the Offering. The market price for shares of the Common Stock may be
volatile and may fluctuate  based upon a number  of factors, including,  without
limitation,  business  performance, timing  of  revenues, news  announcements or
changes  in   general  trading   market  conditions.   See  "Underwriting"   and
"Management's  Discussion  and Analysis  of Financial  Condition and  Results of
Operations--Selected Quarterly Financial Data; Seasonality."
 
FUTURE SALES OF COMMON STOCK; SHARES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE
 
    Upon the consummation  of the  Offering, the Company  will have  outstanding
13,620,000  shares of Common Stock, assuming  no stock options are exercised. Of
these shares, all of the  4,800,000 shares sold in  the Offering will be  freely
transferable  by persons other than "affiliates" (as hereinafter defined) of the
Company, without restriction or further registration under the Securities Act of
1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"). Future sales of substantial amounts  of
Common  Stock (including shares issued upon the  exercise of options that may be
granted pursuant  to any  employee stock  option  or other  equity plan  of  the
Company),  or the perception that such sales  could occur, could have an adverse
effect on the  market price  of the  Common Stock. If  such sales  or any  other
factor  should reduce the market price of Common Stock, the Company's ability to
raise additional capital in the equity markets could be adversely affected.  The
Company  and  all of  the  Selling Stockholders  and  executive officers  of the
Company have agreed, subject to certain exceptions, not to sell, offer to  sell,
grant  any option (other  than pursuant to the  Stock Plan) for  the sale of, or
otherwise dispose of, any shares of Common Stock or securities convertible  into
or  exercisable or exchangeable  for Common Stock (except  for shares offered in
the Offering) for a period of 180 days after the date of this Prospectus without
the prior written consent of Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated.
See "Description  of  Capital Stock,"  "Shares  Eligible for  Future  Sale"  and
"Underwriting."
 
DILUTION
 
    The  initial public  offering price  is substantially  higher than  the book
value per share of Common Stock. Investors purchasing shares of Common Stock  in
the  Offering will therefore incur immediate  and substantial dilution of $13.44
per share. See "Dilution."
 
ABSENCE OF DIVIDENDS
 
    The Company does  not expect  to pay  any cash  dividends on  shares of  the
Common Stock in the foreseeable future. See "Dividend Policy."
 
                                       12
<PAGE>
                      THE RECAPITALIZATION AND THE MERGER
 
    On  March 24, 1995, Stephen Simons, Debra Simons and Paul Turner transferred
all of the  outstanding shares  of capital  stock of  the Company's  predecessor
("Old  RockShox") to  RSx Holdings,  Inc., a  newly formed  Delaware corporation
("Holdings"), and RSx  Acquisition, Inc.,  a newly  formed Delaware  corporation
("Acquisition").  In  exchange  therefor, Mr.  and  Mrs. Simons  and  Mr. Turner
received 50%  of  the  common stock,  par  value  $.01 per  share,  of  Holdings
("Holdings Common Stock"), $6 million aggregate principal amount of 13.5% junior
subordinated  notes of Holdings  (the "Junior Notes"), 4,000  shares of Series B
Preferred Stock, par value $1.00 per share, of Holdings (the "Series B Preferred
Stock") and approximately $39 million in cash. Holdings then acquired all of the
capital stock of  Acquisition and  contributed to Acquisition  all of  Holdings'
shares  of capital stock of Old RockShox, whereupon Old RockShox became a wholly
owned subsidiary of Acquisition. Old  RockShox was then merged into  Acquisition
and Acquisition changed its name to ROCKSHOX, INC. The transactions described in
this paragraph are collectively referred to as the "Recapitalization."
 
    As  part of the  Recapitalization, (i) the remaining  50% of Holdings Common
Stock, (ii) 3,000 shares of Series A Preferred Stock, par value $1.00 per share,
of Holdings (the  "Series A  Preferred Stock" and,  together with  the Series  B
Preferred Stock, the "Holdings Preferred Stock") and (iii) $11 million aggregate
principal  amount of  13.5% senior subordinated  notes of  Holdings (the "Senior
Notes") were purchased for  an aggregate of approximately  $14.5 million by  (a)
MCIT  PLC, an investment company  organized under the laws  of England and Wales
("MCIT"), in which affiliates of The  Jordan Company have an ownership  interest
and  which is  advised by  Jordan/Zalaznick Advisors,  Inc. ("JZAI"),  an entity
controlled by affiliates  of The  Jordan Company,  and (b)  certain persons  and
entities affiliated with The Jordan Company .
 
    In  order to finance the Recapitalization, Acquisition entered into a credit
agreement (the  "Existing  Credit  Facilities") pursuant  to  which  Acquisition
borrowed  $30 million under  a term loan, and  was permitted to  borrow up to $6
million under a bank line of credit.
 
    See "Certain Transactions--The Recapitalization."
 
    Immediately prior to the  closing of the Offering,  Holdings will be  merged
with  and into the Company,  with the Company as  the surviving corporation (the
"Merger"), and each share of Holdings  Common Stock will be converted into  88.2
shares  of Common Stock  of the Company. Unless  the context otherwise requires,
all information set forth  in this Prospectus has  been adjusted to reflect  the
consummation of the Merger.
 
                                       13
<PAGE>
                                USE OF PROCEEDS
 
    The  net proceeds to  the Company from  the sale of  the 4,800,000 shares of
Common Stock offered by the Company hereby are estimated to be approximately $65
million, after deducting the underwriting discount and estimated expenses of the
Offering.
 
    The Company intends to use such net proceeds from the Offering (i) to  repay
borrowings  plus accrued interest, if any, outstanding under the Existing Credit
Facilities ($26.75 million principal amount at June 30, 1996); (ii) to repay the
$11 million principal amount of the Senior Notes plus accrued interest, if  any;
(iii)  to repay the $6 million principal amount of the Junior Notes plus accrued
interest, if  any; (iv)  to redeem  all of  the outstanding  shares of  Holdings
Preferred Stock (which had an aggregate redemption value of $7.4 million at June
30,  1996);  (v)  to  make  payments  totalling  approximately  $7.3  million to
terminate  the  bonus  arrangement  provided  for  pursuant  to  the  employment
agreements  between Holdings and  each of Messrs. Simons  and Turner (the "Bonus
Plan"); and (vi) for working capital purposes. See "The Recapitalization and the
Merger,"  "Management--Employment  Agreements"  and  "Certain  Transactions--The
Recapitalization."
 
    The Bonus Plan and the Existing Credit Facilities were entered into, and the
Senior  Notes, the Junior Notes and the  shares of Holdings Preferred Stock were
issued, in  connection  with  the Recapitalization.  The  borrowings  under  the
Existing Credit Facilities mature on March 31, 2001 and bear interest at various
spreads  over the applicable LIBOR rate  or the bank's reference rate, generally
at the Company's option. At June 30, 1996, loans outstanding under the  Existing
Credit  Facilities bore interest at  a blended rate of  8.625%. The Senior Notes
and the Junior Notes each bear interest  at 13.5% per annum and mature on  April
30,  2005 and May 31, 2006, respectively. The debt outstanding under each of the
Existing Credit Facilities, the Senior Notes and the Junior Notes is  prepayable
without  interest or premium.  The holders of  the Series A  Preferred Stock are
entitled to receive, at the option of the Board of Directors of Holdings, annual
dividends at the rate of either (i)  .05 shares of the Series A Preferred  Stock
per share or (ii) $50 per share. The holders of the Series B Preferred Stock are
entitled to receive annual dividends at the rate of $50 per share. Each share of
the  Holdings Preferred Stock is redeemable at  the option of the Company at any
time and is mandatorily redeemable by the Company on July 31, 2006, in each case
for $1,000 plus all accrued and unpaid dividends thereon.
 
    The Company intends  to replace the  Existing Credit Facilities  with a  new
revolving  credit facility (the "New Credit Facility") after the consummation of
this Offering. Although the Company has contacted several institutions regarding
the New Credit Facility, the Company has  not entered into any letter of  intent
or other agreement relating to such facility.
 
    If  the Underwriters exercise their  over-allotment option, the Company will
not receive any proceeds from the sale of shares of Common Stock by the  Selling
Stockholders. See "Principal and Selling Stockholders."
 
                                DIVIDEND POLICY
 
    The  Company expects that all earnings  will be retained for the foreseeable
future for use  in the operations  of the  business; the Board  of Directors  of
Holdings  has  not  declared  a  cash  dividend  on  the  Holdings  Common Stock
subsequent to the Recapitalization, and the Company does not expect to pay  cash
dividends  on the  Common Stock in  the foreseeable future.  Any future decision
with respect to dividends will  depend on earnings, capital needs,  restrictions
imposed  by lenders or other  security holders of the  Company and the Company's
operating and financial condition, among other factors. In addition, the Company
is currently prohibited  by the  terms of  the Existing  Credit Facilities  from
paying cash dividends on the Common Stock, and may in the future enter into loan
or  other agreements (including, without limitation, the New Credit Facility) or
issue debt  securities or  preferred stock  that restrict  the payment  of  cash
dividends on the Common Stock.
 
                                       14
<PAGE>
                                 CAPITALIZATION
 
    The  following table  sets forth the  capitalization and  current portion of
long-term debt of the Company at June 30, 1996, as adjusted to reflect the  sale
of  4,800,000 shares  of Common  Stock by  the Company  in the  Offering and the
application of  the net  proceeds therefrom  to redeem  all of  the  outstanding
shares  of Holdings Preferred  Stock; repay the  Existing Credit Facilities, the
Senior Notes and the  Junior Notes, including  write-offs of approximately  $2.4
million  relating to  unamortized debt issuance  costs; and  terminate the Bonus
Plan,  resulting  in  expenses  of  approximately  $6.7  million.  See  "Use  of
Proceeds."  The  information  below  should  be  read  in  conjunction  with the
Consolidated Financial  Statements and  the related  notes thereto  and the  Pro
Forma  Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet and Statements of Operations and the
related notes thereto, which are included elsewhere in this Prospectus. See also
"Selected Financial Data,"  "Management's Discussion and  Analysis of  Financial
Condition and Results of Operations" and "Description of Capital Stock."
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                             JUNE 30, 1996(1)
                                                                                         -------------------------
                                                                                                      PRO FORMA
                                                                                          ACTUAL    AS ADJUSTED(3)
                                                                                         ---------  --------------
                                                                                           (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT
                                                                                                SHARE DATA)
<S>                                                                                      <C>        <C>
Current portion of long-term debt......................................................  $   3,375    $   --
                                                                                         ---------       -------
                                                                                         ---------       -------
Long-term debt, excluding current portion:
  Existing Credit Facilities...........................................................  $  23,375    $   --
  Senior Notes.........................................................................     11,000        --
  Junior Notes.........................................................................      6,000        --
                                                                                         ---------       -------
    Total long-term debt...............................................................     40,375        --
                                                                                         ---------       -------
Mandatorily redeemable preferred stock:
  Series A Preferred Stock.............................................................      3,192        --
  Series B Preferred Stock.............................................................      4,257        --
                                                                                         ---------       -------
    Total mandatorily redeemable preferred stock.......................................      7,449        --
                                                                                         ---------       -------
Stockholders' equity (deficit):
  Common Stock, par value $.01 per share, 9,799,020 shares authorized; 50,000,000
   shares authorized, pro forma as adjusted; 8,820,000 shares outstanding; 13,620,000
   shares outstanding, pro forma as adjusted (2).......................................         88           136
  Additional paid-in capital...........................................................        412        65,324
  Distribution in excess of net book value.............................................    (45,422)      (45,422)
  Retained earnings....................................................................      6,564         1,156
                                                                                         ---------       -------
    Total stockholders' equity (deficit)...............................................    (38,358)       21,194
                                                                                         ---------       -------
      Total capitalization.............................................................  $   9,466    $   21,194
                                                                                         ---------       -------
                                                                                         ---------       -------
</TABLE>
 
- ------------------------
(1) Gives  effect  to the  Merger,  which will  occur  immediately prior  to the
    closing of the Offering.
 
(2) Does not include approximately 821,320 shares of Common Stock issuable  upon
    exercise  of  options  currently  outstanding  under  the  Stock  Plan.  See
    "Management--1996 Stock Plan."
 
(3) Pro forma as adjusted to give effect to the Offering and the application  of
    the net proceeds therefrom as if the Offering had occurred on June 30, 1996,
    including  write-offs of approximately $2.4  million relating to unamortized
    debt issuance costs, expenses of approximately $6.7 million relating to  the
    termination  of the  Bonus Plan, payments  of approximately  $7.4 million to
    redeem all of the outstanding shares of Holdings Preferred Stock and  $26.75
    million,  $11.0  million  and  $6.0 million  to  repay  the  Existing Credit
    Facilities, the Senior Notes and the Junior Notes, respectively, and the tax
    effect of the foregoing. See  "Use of Proceeds" and Note  1 of Notes to  Pro
    Forma Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet and Statements of Operations.
 
                                       15
<PAGE>
                                    DILUTION
 
    The  negative net tangible  book value of  the Company at  June 30, 1996 was
approximately $(40.7) million, or  $(4.62) per share  of Common Stock.  Negative
net  tangible  book value  per share  represented  the Company's  total tangible
assets less its total liabilities and  Holdings Preferred Stock, divided by  the
number of shares of Common Stock outstanding. After giving effect to the sale by
the  Company  of  4,800,000 shares  of  Common  Stock in  the  Offering  and the
application of the net proceeds therefrom, the pro forma net tangible book value
of the Company at June 30, 1996 would have been approximately $21.2 million,  or
$1.56  per  share.  See "Use  of  Proceeds."  This represents  an  immediate net
tangible book value dilution of $13.44 per share to investors purchasing  shares
in the Offering. The following table illustrates this per share dilution:
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                 <C>        <C>
Initial public offering price per share (1).......................             $   15.00
  Negative net tangible book value at June 30, 1996...............  $   (4.62)
  Increase attributable to new investors in the Offering..........       6.18
                                                                    ---------
Pro forma net tangible book value per share after the Offering
 (2)..............................................................                  1.56
                                                                               ---------
Dilution per share to new investors...............................             $   13.44
                                                                               ---------
                                                                               ---------
</TABLE>
 
    The  following table summarizes on a pro forma basis as of June 30, 1996 the
difference between  the number  of shares  of Common  Stock purchased  from  the
Company,  the total consideration paid  and the average price  per share paid by
the existing stockholders of the  Company (the "Existing Stockholders") and  the
investors purchasing shares in the Offering.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                     SHARES PURCHASED        TOTAL CONSIDERATION
                                                  -----------------------  ------------------------  AVERAGE PRICE
                                                     NUMBER      PERCENT      AMOUNT       PERCENT     PER SHARE
                                                  ------------  ---------  -------------  ---------  -------------
<S>                                               <C>           <C>        <C>            <C>        <C>
Existing Stockholders (3).......................     8,820,000      64.8%  $     500,000       0.7%    $    0.06
New investors...................................     4,800,000      35.2%  $  72,000,000      99.3%    $   15.00
                                                  ------------  ---------  -------------  ---------
  Total.........................................    13,620,000     100.0%  $  72,500,000     100.0%
                                                  ------------  ---------  -------------  ---------
                                                  ------------  ---------  -------------  ---------
</TABLE>
 
- ------------------------
(1) Before  deducting estimated underwriting discount  and estimated expenses of
    the Offering payable by the Company.
 
(2) Excludes approximately 821,320 shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise
    of options to be outstanding upon  consummation of the Offering pursuant  to
    the  Stock  Plan.  See "Management--1996  Stock  Plan." To  the  extent that
    options are exercised, there will be further dilution to new investors.
 
(3) If the Underwriters' over-allotment option is exercised in full, the  number
    of  shares held  by the Existing  Stockholders will be  reduced to 8,100,000
    shares, or  59.5%  of the  number  of shares  to  be outstanding  after  the
    Offering.
 
                                       16
<PAGE>
                            SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
 
    The  statement of  operations data for  the fiscal years  ended December 31,
1993 and 1994 and March 31, 1996 and  the three months ended March 31, 1995  and
the  balance sheet  data at December  31, 1994 and  March 31, 1995  and 1996 are
derived from the Consolidated  Financial Statements contained elsewhere  herein,
which  have been audited  by Coopers &  Lybrand L.L.P., independent accountants.
See "Experts." The statement of operations data for the years ended December 31,
1991 and 1992, and the balance sheet  data at December 31, 1991, 1992 and  1993,
are  derived from the Company's consolidated financial statements, which are not
contained herein and, with  the exception of the  balance sheet at December  31,
1993,  are unaudited. The balance sheet data  at June 30, 1996 and the statement
of operations data for the three month periods ended June 30, 1995 and 1996  are
derived  from  the unaudited  financial statements  of the  Company and,  in the
opinion of management, include all of the adjustments, consisting of only normal
recurring accruals, necessary for  the fair presentation  of the financial  data
for the periods indicated. The results of operations for interim periods are not
necessarily  indicative of the results  to be expected for  the entire year. The
selected pro forma  statement of  operations and  balance sheet  data set  forth
below  are for informational purposes only and may not necessarily be indicative
of the  results  of operations  of  the Company  in  the future.  The  following
selected  financial data  should be  read in  conjunction with  the Consolidated
Financial Statements  and the  related notes  thereto, the  Pro Forma  Condensed
Consolidated  Balance Sheet and  Statements of Operations  and the related notes
thereto and "Management's  Discussion and  Analysis of  Financial Condition  and
Results of Operations," included elsewhere in this Prospectus.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                                     THREE
                                                                                                                    MONTHS
                                                                               THREE            YEAR ENDED           ENDED
                                                                              MONTHS        MARCH 31, 1996 (1)     JUNE 30,
                                         YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,               ENDED     ------------------------  ---------
                                ------------------------------------------   MARCH 31,                    PRO
                                  1991       1992       1993       1994       1995(1)      ACTUAL      FORMA(2)      1995
                                ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  -----------  -----------  -----------  ---------
<S>                             <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS DATA
 (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER
 SHARE DATA):
  Net sales...................  $   6,050  $  16,442  $  30,941  $  37,900   $  14,279    $  83,509    $  83,509   $  18,784
  Cost of sales...............      4,017     10,565     20,113     24,477       9,590       54,110       54,110      12,285
                                ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  -----------  -----------  -----------  ---------
  Gross profit................      2,033      5,877     10,828     13,423       4,689       29,399       29,399       6,499
                                ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  -----------  -----------  -----------  ---------
  Selling, general and
   administrative expense.....      1,788      4,703      5,098      4,210       5,404       11,220       10,408       2,634
  Research, development and
   engineering expense........        135        838      1,536      2,073       2,223        3,401        2,463         777
                                ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  -----------  -----------  -----------  ---------
  Income (loss) from
   operations.................        110        336      4,194      7,140      (2,938)      14,778       16,528       3,088
  Interest and other (income)
   expense, net...............         21         67         16          6          51        5,650         (136)      1,484
                                ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  -----------  -----------  -----------  ---------
  Income (loss) before income
   taxes......................         89        269      4,178      7,134      (2,989)       9,128       16,664       1,604
  Provision for (benefit from)
   income taxes...............          9        104      1,521      2,420        (653)       3,464        6,478         610
                                ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  -----------  -----------  -----------  ---------
  Net income (loss)...........  $      80  $     165  $   2,657  $   4,714   $  (2,336)   $   5,664    $  10,186   $     994
                                ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  -----------  -----------  -----------  ---------
                                ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  -----------  -----------  -----------  ---------
  Net income (loss) per share
   (3)........................  $    0.01  $    0.02  $    0.29  $    0.51   $   (0.25)   $    0.57    $    0.75   $    0.10
                                ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  -----------  -----------  -----------  ---------
                                ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  -----------  -----------  -----------  ---------
  Shares used in per share
   calculations (3)...........      9,240      9,240      9,240      9,240       9,240        9,240       13,610(4)     9,240
                                ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  -----------  -----------  -----------  ---------
                                ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  -----------  -----------  -----------  ---------
 
<CAPTION>
 
                                             AT DECEMBER 31,                      AT MARCH 31,
                                ------------------------------------------  ------------------------
                                  1991       1992       1993       1994       1995(1)      1996(1)
                                ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  -----------  -----------
<S>                             <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>
BALANCE SHEET DATA
 (IN THOUSANDS):
  Working capital
   (deficiency)...............  $     (29) $     906  $   2,226  $   5,995   $   1,939    $   2,327
  Total assets................      2,123      4,081      7,660     13,493      17,679       26,932
  Total debt..................        512      1,146      1,345        998      48,500       44,500
  Mandatorily redeemable
   preferred stock............     --         --         --         --           7,000        7,357
  Stockholders' equity
   (deficit)..................         27        167      2,774      7,188     (44,922)     (39,615)
 
<CAPTION>
 
                                  1996         1996
                                 ACTUAL    PRO FORMA(2)
                                ---------  -------------
<S>                             <C>        <C>
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS DATA
 (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER
 SHARE DATA):
  Net sales...................  $  21,378    $  21,378
  Cost of sales...............     13,733       13,733
                                ---------  -------------
  Gross profit................      7,645        7,645
                                ---------  -------------
  Selling, general and
   administrative expense.....      2,916        2,604
  Research, development and
   engineering expense........      1,243          899
                                ---------  -------------
  Income (loss) from
   operations.................      3,486        4,142
  Interest and other (income)
   expense, net...............      1,292          (49)
                                ---------  -------------
  Income (loss) before income
   taxes......................      2,194        4,191
  Provision for (benefit from)
   income taxes...............        845        1,644
                                ---------  -------------
  Net income (loss)...........  $   1,349    $   2,547
                                ---------  -------------
                                ---------  -------------
  Net income (loss) per share
   (3)........................  $    0.14    $    0.19
                                ---------  -------------
                                ---------  -------------
  Shares used in per share
   calculations (3)...........      9,240       13,610(4)
                                ---------  -------------
                                ---------  -------------
                                    AT JUNE 30, 1996
                                ------------------------
                                             PRO FORMA
                                                AS
                                 ACTUAL     ADJUSTED(5)
                                ---------  -------------
<S>                             <C>        <C>
BALANCE SHEET DATA
 (IN THOUSANDS):
  Working capital
   (deficiency)...............  $   1,797    $  15,878
  Total assets................     28,665       36,362
  Total debt..................     43,750       --
  Mandatorily redeemable
   preferred stock............      7,449       --
  Stockholders' equity
   (deficit)..................    (38,358)      21,194
</TABLE>
 
                                               (FOOTNOTES ON THE FOLLOWING PAGE)
 
                                       17
<PAGE>
- ------------------------
(CONTINUED FROM PRIOR PAGE)
 
(1)  In 1995, the Company changed its fiscal  year end from December 31 to March
    31.
 
(2) The pro forma statement of operations  data for the fiscal year ended  March
    31, 1996 and the quarter ended June 30, 1996 give effect to the Offering and
    the  application  of  the net  proceeds  therefrom  as if  the  Offering had
    occurred at  the  beginning  of  the respective  periods,  and  reflect  the
    reduction   of  operating  expenses  of   $1.8  million  and  $0.7  million,
    respectively, related to the termination of the Bonus Plan, the reduction of
    interest expense of $5.8 million and $1.3 million, respectively, and the tax
    effect  of  the  foregoing  (but   exclude  the  effect  of  write-offs   of
    approximately  $2.4  million relating  to  unamortized debt  issuance costs,
    expenses of approximately $6.7  million relating to  the termination of  the
    Bonus  Plan and the tax effect of  the foregoing). See "Use of Proceeds" and
    Note 2  of Notes  to  Pro Forma  Condensed  Consolidated Balance  Sheet  and
    Statements of Operations.
 
(3)  For an explanation of the determination of the number of shares used in per
    share calculations and net income (loss) per  share, see Note 2 of Notes  to
    Consolidated  Financial Statements. For the fiscal year ended March 31, 1996
    and the quarters ended June 30, 1995  and 1996, net income has been  reduced
    by  accretion for  dividends on  the Holdings  Preferred Stock  of $357,000,
    $94,000 and $92,000, respectively.
 
(4) Pro forma computation of net  income per share includes 4,370,400 shares  of
    Common  Stock to be  issued pursuant to  the Offering, net  of expenses, the
    proceeds from the sale of which the  Company intends to use as follows:  (a)
    $26.75  million to  repay borrowings  outstanding under  the Existing Credit
    Facilities, (b)  $17.0 million  to repay  the Senior  Notes and  the  Junior
    Notes,  (c) $7.4 million to redeem all of the outstanding shares of Holdings
    Preferred Stock and (d) $7.3 million to make payments to terminate the Bonus
    Plan. Shares to be  issued for working capital  purposes have been  excluded
    from  the  pro  forma computation  of  net  income per  share.  See  "Use of
    Proceeds" and Note 2 to Pro  Forma Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet  and
    Statements of Operations.
 
(5)  Pro forma as adjusted to give effect to the Offering and the application of
    the net proceeds therefrom as if the Offering had occurred on June 30, 1996,
    including write-offs of approximately  $2.4 million relating to  unamortized
    debt  issuance costs, expenses of approximately $6.7 million relating to the
    termination of the  Bonus Plan,  payments of approximately  $7.4 million  to
    redeem  all of the outstanding shares of Holdings Preferred Stock and $26.75
    million, $11.0  million  and  $6.0  million to  repay  the  Existing  Credit
    Facilities, the Senior Notes and the Junior Notes, respectively, and the tax
    effect  of the foregoing. See "Use of Proceeds," "Capitalization" and Note 1
    of Notes to Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet and Statements of
    Operations.
 
                                       18
<PAGE>
                    MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
                 FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
    The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the
"Selected Financial  Data" and  the Consolidated  Financial Statements  and  the
related notes thereto, which are included elsewhere in this Prospectus.
 
GENERAL
 
    RockShox is the worldwide leader in the design, manufacture and marketing of
high  performance bicycle  suspension products.  The Company's  sales have grown
rapidly, from approximately  $6 million  in fiscal 1991  to approximately  $83.5
million  in fiscal 1996,  a compound annual growth  rate of approximately 85.5%.
Net sales in the first five months of fiscal 1997 were $38.2 million compared to
$30.7 million in the first five months of fiscal 1996. The Company believes that
its growth  has been  the  result of  increasing  market acceptance  of  bicycle
suspension  worldwide  and,  more  specifically,  growing  demand  for  ROCKSHOX
suspension products.
 
    Substantially  all   of  the   Company's  historical   revenues  have   been
attributable to sales of mountain bike front suspension forks. The Company's two
principal  channels of  distribution are:  (i) sales to  OEMs and  (ii) sales to
distributors and IBDs (the  "retail accessory market"). A  large portion of  the
Company's  sales are to a small group of OEM customers. See "Risk Factors--Sales
Concentration; Dependence on OEMs."
 
    The Company has  substantial international sales,  a significant portion  of
which include products shipped to Asian manufacturing subcontractors for certain
U.S.-based  OEMs.  The  Company believes  that  a substantial  portion  of these
products are ultimately shipped back to the U.S. and sold domestically by  OEMs.
The  Company  recognizes revenue  upon  shipment of  the  product and,  to date,
product returns have not been material.
 
    The Company's gross  margins have  remained relatively  consistent over  the
past several years. While gross margins are generally higher on retail accessory
market  sales compared to OEM sales, OEM sales generate much higher unit volume,
which  allows  the  Company  an  opportunity  to  capitalize  on   manufacturing
efficiencies.  Research,  development  and  engineering  costs  are  expensed as
incurred.
 
    The Company moved its principal operations from North Carolina to California
in August 1992. In  September 1994, the Company  consolidated its operations  in
its  present facilities  located in San  Jose, California. In  1995, the Company
changed its fiscal year  end from December  31 to March  31, which more  closely
corresponds to the Company's product model year and business cycle.
 
    In  March 1995, the Company consummated the Recapitalization, which resulted
in Stephen Simons, Paul Turner and certain members of their respective  families
owning  50% of Holdings Common  Stock and MCIT and  certain persons and entities
affiliated with  The Jordan  Company owning  the other  50% of  Holdings  Common
Stock.   In  order  to  finance   the  Recapitalization,  the  Company  incurred
approximately $48.5 million  of debt. In  connection with the  Recapitalization,
the  Company incurred the following expenses  during the quarter ended March 31,
1995: (i) initial payments under the Bonus Plan of an aggregate of $4.7 million,
of which  $2.8  million was  included  in selling,  general  and  administrative
expense  and $1.9 million was included  in research, development and engineering
expense, and (ii) $400,000  of expenses related  to the Recapitalization,  which
were   included  in  selling,  general  and  administrative  expense.  See  "The
Recapitalization and the Merger."
 
                                       19
<PAGE>
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
    The following table sets forth operations data as a percentage of net  sales
for the periods indicated.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                      YEARS ENDED DECEMBER                      THREE MONTHS ENDED
                                                              31,                                    JUNE 30,
                                                     ----------------------    YEAR ENDED     ----------------------
                                                        1993        1994     MARCH 31, 1996      1995        1996
                                                     ----------  ----------  ---------------  ----------  ----------
<S>                                                  <C>         <C>         <C>              <C>         <C>
Net sales..........................................     100.0%      100.0%        100.0%         100.0%      100.0%
Cost of sales......................................      65.0        64.6          64.8           65.4        64.2
Gross margin.......................................      35.0        35.4          35.2           34.6        35.8
Selling, general and administrative expenses.......      16.5        11.1          13.4           14.0        13.6
Research, development and engineering expenses.....       4.9         5.5           4.1            4.1         5.8
Operating income (loss)............................      13.6        18.8          17.7           16.4        16.3
</TABLE>
 
    THREE MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 1996 (FIRST QUARTER FISCAL 1997) COMPARED TO
    THREE MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 1995 (FIRST QUARTER FISCAL 1996)
 
    NET  SALES.  Net sales increased by  approximately 13.8% to $21.4 million in
the first quarter of fiscal 1997 compared to $18.8 million in the first  quarter
of  fiscal 1996. The increase in net sales was primarily due to the introduction
of the INDY product line as well  as increased revenues from the QUADRA  product
line,  which experienced higher unit volume  partially offset by a lower average
sales price. Sales to OEMs increased by approximately 39.3% to $13.3 million (or
approximately 62.3% of net sales) in the first quarter of fiscal 1997 from  $9.6
million  (or approximately 50.9%  of net sales)  in the first  quarter of fiscal
1996. Net sales to the retail accessory market decreased by approximately  12.6%
to  $8.1 million (or approximately  37.7% of net sales)  in the first quarter of
fiscal 1997 from $9.2 million (or approximately 49.1% of net sales) in the first
quarter of fiscal 1996 principally due to the timing of shipment of products  to
the retail accessory market.
 
    International  sales,  a  significant  portion  of  which  included products
shipped to  Asian  manufacturing  subcontractors for  certain  U.S.-based  OEMs,
accounted  for approximately 48.4% and 41.7% of  net sales in the first quarters
of fiscal 1997 and fiscal 1996, respectively.
 
    GROSS MARGIN.   Gross margin  (gross profit as  a percentage  of net  sales)
increased  to approximately 35.8% for the  first quarter of fiscal 1997 compared
to approximately 34.6% for the first  quarter of fiscal 1996 principally due  to
increased production activity.
 
    SELLING,   GENERAL  AND  ADMINISTRATIVE  EXPENSE.     Selling,  general  and
administrative expenses  in  the  first  quarter of  fiscal  1997  increased  by
approximately 10.7% to $2.9 million compared to the first three months of fiscal
1996,  but decreased as  a percentage of  net sales from  approximately 14.0% to
13.6%. This decrease was  primarily the result of  certain fixed expenses  being
allocated  over an  increased sales  base offset by  an increase  in the amounts
accrued under the Bonus  Plan to $375,000  in the first  quarter of fiscal  1997
from  $265,000 in  the first  quarter of  fiscal 1996.  As discussed  in "Use of
Proceeds," the Bonus Plan will be terminated upon completion of the Offering. In
the second quarter  of fiscal 1997,  the Company will  incur a one-time  pre-tax
charge  of approximately $6.7 million in  connection with the termination of the
Bonus Plan.
 
    RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT AND  ENGINEERING EXPENSE.   Research, development  and
engineering  expense  increased  by  approximately  59.9%  to  $1.2  million (or
approximately 5.8% of net sales) in the first quarter of fiscal 1997 compared to
$800,000 (or approximately  4.1% of net  sales) in the  first quarter of  fiscal
1996 principally due to increases in product development expenses and headcount.
The  amounts accrued  under the  Bonus Plan  increased in  the first  quarter of
fiscal 1997 to $375,000 from $265,000 in the first quarter of fiscal 1996.
 
    INTEREST EXPENSE.   The Company  incurred interest  expense (which  included
amortization  of  capitalized  financing costs)  of  $1.3 million  in  the first
quarter of fiscal 1997 compared to $1.5  million in the first quarter of  fiscal
1996.  The decrease was primarily due to lower interest rates and a reduction of
outstanding debt (which was issued  in connection with the Recapitalization)  in
the first quarter of fiscal 1997 compared to the
 
                                       20
<PAGE>
first  quarter of fiscal 1996. In the second quarter of fiscal 1997, the Company
will incur a one-time pre-tax charge,  reflected as an extraordinary item, as  a
result  of the write-off  of capitalized financing  costs, of approximately $2.2
million in connection with the planned repayment of such debt.
 
    PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES.  The  Company's effective tax rate increased  to
38.5%  in the first  quarter of fiscal 1997  from 37.9% in  the first quarter of
fiscal 1996 primarily due to a higher federal tax rate.
 
    FISCAL YEAR ENDED MARCH 31, 1996 (FISCAL 1996) COMPARED TO FISCAL YEAR ENDED
    DECEMBER 31, 1994 (FISCAL 1994)
 
    NET SALES.  Net sales increased by approximately 120.3% to $83.5 million  in
fiscal  1996 compared to $37.9  million in fiscal 1994.  (Net sales increased by
approximately 97.7% to $83.5  million in fiscal 1996  compared to $42.2  million
for  the twelve  months ended  March 31,  1995.) The  increase in  net sales was
primarily due to higher unit  volume in fiscal 1996  of both the Company's  JUDY
product,  for which significant shipments began  in late fiscal 1994, and QUADRA
product line, which experienced  increased demand during  fiscal 1996. Sales  to
OEMs  increased by approximately 133.2% to $57.1 million (or approximately 68.4%
of net sales) in fiscal 1996 from  $24.5 million (or approximately 64.6% of  net
sales)  in fiscal 1994.  Net sales to  the retail accessory  market increased by
approximately 96.8% to $26.4  million (or approximately 31.6%  of net sales)  in
fiscal  1996 from $13.4 million (or approximately  35.4% of net sales) in fiscal
1994. The Company does not  expect to achieve such high  rates of growth in  the
future.  See  "Risk  Factors--Susceptibility  to  Changing  Economic  and Market
Conditions," "--Dependence on Mountain Bike Front Suspension Product Lines"  and
"--Risks Associated with Rapid Growth."
 
    International  sales,  a  significant  portion  of  which  included products
shipped to  Asian  manufacturing  subcontractors for  certain  U.S.-based  OEMs,
accounted  for approximately  48.6% and  49.4% of net  sales in  fiscal 1996 and
fiscal 1994, respectively.
 
    GROSS MARGIN.   Gross margin remained  relatively constant at  approximately
35.2%  in fiscal 1996 compared to  approximately 35.4% in fiscal 1994. Increases
in facility expenses and provisions for warranty costs and inventory reserves in
fiscal 1996 were largely offset by  a greater absorption of fixed  manufacturing
costs due to the higher sales volumes in fiscal 1996 compared to fiscal 1994.
 
    SELLING,   GENERAL  AND  ADMINISTRATIVE  EXPENSE.     Selling,  general  and
administrative expense increased  by approximately 166.5%  to $11.2 million  (or
approximately  13.4%  of  net  sales)  in  fiscal  1996  from  $4.2  million (or
approximately 11.1% of net  sales) in fiscal 1994  principally due to  increased
sales and marketing expenses, which related in part to an increase in headcount,
provisions  for  uncollectible accounts  receivable,  an officer  bonus  of $1.1
million under the Bonus  Plan in fiscal 1996  compared to discretionary  bonuses
paid  to certain officers  of approximately $800,000 in  fiscal 1994 and certain
severance provisions incurred in fiscal 1996.
 
    As discussed in Note  6 of Notes to  Consolidated Financial Statements,  the
Company  incurred officer bonuses of $2.2 million in fiscal 1996 under the Bonus
Plan entered  into following  the Recapitalization  (of which  $1.1 million  was
included  in selling,  general and  administrative expense  as discussed  in the
preceding paragraph and $1.1 million  was included in research, development  and
engineering  expense as discussed below). As discussed in "Use of Proceeds," the
Bonus Plan will  be terminated upon  completion of the  Offering. In the  second
quarter  of fiscal  1997, the  Company will incur  a one-time  pre-tax charge of
approximately $6.7 million in connection with the termination of the Bonus Plan.
 
    RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT AND  ENGINEERING EXPENSE.   Research, development  and
engineering   expense  increased  by  approximately  64%  to  $3.4  million  (or
approximately 4.1% of  net sales) in  fiscal 1996 compared  to $2.1 million  (or
approximately  5.5%  of net  sales) in  fiscal  1994. Research,  development and
engineering expense included  an officer bonus  in fiscal 1996  of $1.1  million
under  the Bonus Plan, as  discussed above, and a  discretionary bonus in fiscal
1994 of approximately  $800,000, which was  paid to an  officer of the  Company.
Excluding  these  bonuses,  research, development  and  engineering  expense was
approximately 2.8%  and  3.4% of  net  sales in  fiscal  1996 and  fiscal  1994,
respectively.
 
    INTEREST  EXPENSE.   The Company  incurred interest  expense (which included
amortization of  capitalized financing  costs) of  $5.8 million  in fiscal  1996
compared  to $21,000  in fiscal  1994. The  increase was  due to  debt issued in
connection with the Recapitalization that occurred in March 1995. In the  second
quarter of
 
                                       21
<PAGE>
fiscal  1997, the Company will incur a  one-time pre-tax charge, reflected as an
extraordinary item, as a result of the write-off of capitalized financing costs,
of approximately $2.2 million in connection  with the planned repayment of  such
debt.
 
    PROVISION  FOR INCOME TAXES.  The  Company's effective tax rate increased to
37.9% in fiscal 1996 from  33.9% in fiscal 1994 primarily  due to a decrease  in
research  and development  tax credits and  higher state income  taxes in fiscal
1996 compared to fiscal 1994.
 
    FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1994 (FISCAL 1994) COMPARED TO FISCAL YEAR
    ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1993 (FISCAL 1993)
 
    NET SALES.  Net sales increased  by approximately 22.5% to $37.9 million  in
fiscal  1994  compared to  $30.9 million  in  fiscal 1993  primarily due  to the
introduction of the  Company's JUDY product  in late fiscal  1994 and  continued
growth  in  the  Company's  QUADRA  product line.  Sales  to  OEMs  increased by
approximately 25.7% to $24.5  million (or approximately 64.6%  of net sales)  in
fiscal  1994 from $19.5 million (or approximately  62.9% of net sales) in fiscal
1993. Net sales to the retail accessory market increased by approximately  17.1%
to $13.4 million (or approximately 35.4% of net sales) in fiscal 1994 from $11.5
million (or approximately 37.1% of net sales) in fiscal 1993.
 
    International sales accounted for approximately 49.4% and 44.5% of net sales
in fiscal 1994 and fiscal 1993, respectively. This increase resulted principally
from  an  increase  in net  sales  of  products shipped  to  Asian manufacturing
subcontractors for certain U.S.-based OEMs.
 
    GROSS MARGIN.   Gross margin remained  relatively constant at  approximately
35.4% in fiscal 1994 compared to approximately 35.0% in fiscal 1993. Improvement
in  fiscal 1994  gross margin  was due to  increased sales  volume, allowing for
greater manufacturing  efficiencies, which  was  partially offset  by  increased
customer service and materials costs.
 
    SELLING,   GENERAL  AND  ADMINISTRATIVE  EXPENSE.     Selling,  general  and
administrative expense  decreased by  approximately 17.4%  to $4.2  million  (or
approximately  11.1%  of  net  sales)  in  fiscal  1994  from  $5.1  million (or
approximately 16.5% of net sales) in fiscal 1993. This decrease was  principally
due  to discretionary bonuses paid to certain officers of approximately $800,000
during fiscal 1994 compared to discretionary bonuses paid to certain officers of
approximately $1.8 million during fiscal  1993, partially offset by an  increase
in other marketing expenses in fiscal 1994.
 
    RESEARCH,  DEVELOPMENT AND  ENGINEERING EXPENSE.   Research, development and
engineering expense  increased  by  approximately  35.0%  to  $2.1  million  (or
approximately  5.5% of net  sales) in fiscal  1994 compared to  $1.5 million (or
approximately 4.9% of net sales) in fiscal 1993 primarily due to an increase  in
headcount.  Fiscal 1994 includes discretionary bonuses paid to an officer of the
Company of  approximately $800,000  compared to  discretionary bonuses  paid  to
certain officers in fiscal 1993 of approximately $900,000.
 
    INTEREST  EXPENSE.  Interest expense was  $21,000 in fiscal 1994 compared to
$36,000 in fiscal 1993, less than 1% of net sales in both periods.
 
    PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES.  The  Company's effective tax rate decreased  to
33.9%  in fiscal 1994 from  36.4% in fiscal 1993  principally due to lower state
income taxes.
 
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
 
    During the past three fiscal years, the Company has satisfied its  operating
cash  needs, other than  expenses relating to  the Recapitalization, principally
through cash flow from operations. Net cash provided by operating activities was
$8.5 million during fiscal 1996, which consisted of net income of $5.7  million,
depreciation  and amortization of $1.7 million, provisions for doubtful accounts
and excess and  obsolete inventory  of $3.5  million and  increases in  accounts
payable and accrued liabilities of $7.6 million offset partially by increases in
deferred  income taxes of $2.3 million,  accounts receivable of $1.7 million and
inventories of $6.1  million. Currently,  the Company does  not generally  grant
extended  payment terms  to its OEM  or distributor customers,  and requires its
retail accessory market customers to pay by credit card or cash on delivery. The
Company may change this policy in the future in response to competitive or other
market conditions.  See  "Risk Factors  --  Sales Concentration;  Dependence  on
OEMs."
 
                                       22
<PAGE>
    Net  cash provided  by operating  activities was  $3.2 million  in the first
quarter of  fiscal  1997,  which  consisted  of  net  income  of  $1.3  million,
depreciation  and amortization of $600,000, a  decrease in inventory of $700,000
and an  increase  in  accounts  payable of  $3.6  million  offset  partially  by
decreases  in accrued  liabilities of $2.0  million and accrued  income taxes of
$500,000 and an increase in prepaid expenses of $400,000.
 
    Net cash used in  investing activities was $4.0  million during fiscal  1996
and  $1.4  million in  the  first quarter  of  fiscal 1997,  which  consisted of
purchases of property, equipment and other assets. The Company expects that  its
capital  expenditures will increase to approximately $5 million to $7 million in
fiscal 1997.
 
    In  March  1995,  the  Company  effected  the  Recapitalization.  See   "The
Recapitalization and the Merger." Net cash used by financing activities was $4.0
million  during  fiscal 1996,  which consisted  of a  $2.5 million  reduction in
long-term debt, a $1.3 million payment to satisfy all revolving loans under  the
Existing  Credit  Facilities  and a  $250,000  repayment  of a  note  held  by a
stockholder. At June 30, 1996, the  Company had working capital of $1.8  million
and  had available a $6.0 million line of credit. The Company intends to replace
the Existing Credit Facilities with  the New Credit Facility after  consummation
of  the  Offering.  Although  the  Company  has  contacted  several institutions
regarding the New Credit Facility, the  Company has not entered into any  letter
of intent or other agreement relating to such facility. See "Use of Proceeds."
 
    The  Existing Credit Facilities  contain covenants, the  most restrictive of
which requires  the maintenance  of various  financial ratios  and, among  other
things, restricts additional borrowings and the sale of assets. In addition, the
Existing  Credit  Facilities restrict  the ability  of the  Company to  pay cash
dividends on its capital stock.
 
RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
 
    During March 1995, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement
No. 121, "Accounting for the Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and for  Long-Lived
Assets to Be Disposed Of" ("SFAS No. 121"), which requires the Company to review
for  impairment of  long-lived assets and,  in certain  situations, recognize an
impairment loss. SFAS  No. 121 will  become effective for  the Company's  fiscal
year ending March 31, 1997. The Company has studied the implications of SFAS No.
121 and, based on its initial evaluation, does not expect SFAS No. 121 to have a
material impact on the Company's financial condition or results of operations.
 
    During  October  1995,  the  Financial  Accounting  Standards  Board  issued
Statement No. 123, "Accounting for  Stock-Based Compensation" ("SFAS No.  123"),
which  established  a  fair  value-based method  of  accounting  for stock-based
compensation plans.  The  Company is  currently  following the  requirements  of
Accounting  Principles Board  Opinion No.  25, "Accounting  for Stock  Issued to
Employees." The Company  plans to adopt  SFAS No. 123  utilizing the  disclosure
alternative during fiscal 1997.
 
SELECTED QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA; SEASONALITY
 
    The  following table  presents selected quarterly  financial information for
the last nine fiscal quarters. This information has been prepared by the Company
on a  basis  consistent with  the  Company's audited  financial  statements  and
includes  all  adjustments,  consisting of  normal  recurring  adjustments, that
management considers necessary for a fair  presentation of the results for  such
quarters.  The operating results for any  quarter are not necessarily indicative
of the results for any entire year.
 
                                       23
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                       QUARTER ENDED:
                            ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                             JUNE 30,     SEPTEMBER 30,   DECEMBER 31,    MARCH 31,    JUNE 30,    SEPTEMBER 30,   DECEMBER 31,
                               1994           1994            1994          1995         1995           1995           1995
                            -----------  ---------------  -------------  -----------  -----------  --------------  -------------
                                                      (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
<S>                         <C>          <C>              <C>            <C>          <C>          <C>             <C>
Net sales.................   $   6,853      $   7,568       $  13,543     $  14,279    $  18,784     $   21,258      $  23,223
Gross margin..............       2,281          2,596           4,752         4,689        6,420          7,493          8,363
Operating income (loss)...         768            767           3,103        (2,938)       3,087          3,976          5,337
Net income (loss).........         500            513           2,053        (2,336)         990          1,587          2,445
                            -----------        ------     -------------  -----------  -----------       -------    -------------
                            -----------        ------     -------------  -----------  -----------       -------    -------------
Net income (loss) per
 share....................   $    0.05      $    0.06       $    0.22     $   (0.25)   $    0.10     $     0.16      $    0.26
                            -----------        ------     -------------  -----------  -----------       -------    -------------
                            -----------        ------     -------------  -----------  -----------       -------    -------------
Shares used in per share
 calculations.............       9,240          9,240           9,240         9,240        9,240          9,240          9,240
 
<CAPTION>
 
                             MARCH 31,    JUNE 30,
                               1996         1996
                            -----------  -----------
 
<S>                         <C>          <C>
Net sales.................   $  20,244    $  21,378
Gross margin..............       7,123        7,645
Operating income (loss)...       2,378        3,486
Net income (loss).........         642        1,349
                            -----------  -----------
                            -----------  -----------
Net income (loss) per
 share....................   $    0.06    $    0.14
                            -----------  -----------
                            -----------  -----------
Shares used in per share
 calculations.............       9,240        9,240
</TABLE>
 
    Because of the Company's rapid and substantial growth, historical  quarterly
operating  results do not reflect  management's expectations of future quarterly
operating results.  Management  believes  that  future  operating  results  will
fluctuate  on a quarterly basis due to  a variety of factors, including seasonal
cycles associated with the bicycle  industry; the effects of weather  conditions
on  consumer purchases; the  timing of orders from  OEMs, distributors and IBDs;
the number and timing of  new product introductions; and  changes in the mix  of
products  ordered  and re-ordered  by  OEMs, distributors  and  IBDs. Management
anticipates that the Company's  sales will normally be  lowest in its first  and
fourth  fiscal quarters, which  end on June  30 and March  31, respectively. See
"Risk  Factors--Quarterly  Fluctuations  in  Operating  Results;  Difficulty  in
Forecasting OEM Orders."
 
                                       24
<PAGE>
                                    BUSINESS
 
    RockShox is the worldwide leader in the design, manufacture and marketing of
high  performance  bicycle suspension  products.  In a  1995  BICYCLING MAGAZINE
readers' survey, 45%  of the  respondents who owned  a suspension  fork owned  a
RockShox  manufactured product--more  than twice the  share of  the next leading
manufacturer--and more than  65% of the  respondents who planned  to purchase  a
suspension  fork  within  the next  two  years  planned to  purchase  a ROCKSHOX
suspension fork.
 
    The Company's sales  have grown  rapidly, from approximately  $6 million  in
fiscal  1991 to  approximately $83.5 million  in fiscal 1996,  a compound annual
growth rate of  approximately 85.5%. The  Company believes that  its growth  has
been  the result of increasing market acceptance of bicycle suspension worldwide
and, more specifically,  growing demand  for ROCKSHOX  suspension products.  The
Company  believes that  significant opportunities  for growth  continue to exist
worldwide. Although the number of mountain  bikes sold with suspension has  been
rapidly  increasing, suspension  was included on  only 17% of  all mountain bike
units sold domestically by  IBDs in 1995. The  Company believes that the  market
penetration of suspension-equipped mountain bikes is even lower internationally.
 
    RockShox  currently markets ten front suspension forks and three rear shocks
under its  JUDY, INDY,  QUADRA,  MAG and  DELUXE  product lines.  The  Company's
products  have  been repeatedly  recognized by  the  bicycle industry  for their
innovative design and superior performance.  As evidence of the advanced  design
and  technical benefits  of its products,  ROCKSHOX suspension was  used by more
than half of the  mountain bike racers  competing in the  1996 Olympic Games  in
Atlanta.
 
    Approximately two-thirds of the Company's sales are to OEMs, including Trek,
GT  and Specialized, who incorporate ROCKSHOX branded components as part of new,
fully-assembled mountain bikes sold worldwide.  The Company's products are  also
sold  as an accessory  component to consumers  through a network  of over 10,000
IBDs worldwide.
 
OPERATING STRATEGIES
 
    The Company believes that it currently has the leading market share in front
suspension forks and is  a major participant in  the developing market for  rear
shocks. The Company has established and continues to enhance its position as the
worldwide  leader in the  design, manufacture and  marketing of high performance
bicycle suspension products through the following operating strategies:
 
    - INNOVATIVE PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT. Management believes that no other  company
      has  been as successful as RockShox in  bringing to market a series of new
      and innovative  mountain  bike  suspension  products.  From  the  original
      oil-damped  RS1  fork introduced  in  1989 to  the  new generation  of the
      monococque (one-piece) casted forks, RockShox has remained a leader in the
      growing mountain bike suspension  market. In the  current model year,  the
      Company  has introduced six new products, including the INDY product line,
      and has incorporated design improvements in a number of its more  seasoned
      product  offerings.  The  Company supports  its  research  and development
      efforts with a team of 14 product development professionals, sophisticated
      computer-based design tools  and an advanced  product testing center.  The
      Company  expects to spend in excess of  $3 million on research and product
      development in its current fiscal year.
 
    - WIDELY RECOGNIZED BRAND NAME AND DISTINCTIVE IMAGE. The Company has one of
      the most widely  recognized brand  names in  the bicycle  industry and  is
      closely   identified  with  the  mountain   biking  culture.  Every  front
      suspension fork sold by  the Company today,  including components sold  as
      part  of OEM mountain bikes, prominently displays the ROCKSHOX brand name.
      The Company promotes its  brand name and  image through focused  marketing
      programs,  including sponsorship of mountain  bike race teams and creative
      advertising in a variety of  U.S. and international bicycle  publications.
      The  Company's brand name  and products receive  further promotion through
      inclusion in many OEM advertisements and frequent editorial references  in
      cycling publications.
 
    - STRONG  RELATIONSHIPS  WITH  OEMS  AND IBDS.  The  Company  has  become an
      increasingly important supplier  to mountain bike  OEMs worldwide, and  is
      currently  the primary supplier of front  suspension forks to eight out of
      the ten leading OEMs selling through domestic IBDs. The Company's products
 
                                       25
<PAGE>
      are currently included  on more  than 60% (or  460) of  the mountain  bike
      models  sold  with  suspension in  the  U.S., according  to  MOUNTAIN BIKE
      MAGAZINE'S 1996 annual industry survey.  Management believes that its  OEM
      customers recognize the strength of the ROCKSHOX name as a deciding factor
      in  the consumer's choice of mountain  bikes. The Company supports its OEM
      customer  relationships  with   joint  product   development  and   global
      distribution  and service. The Company's products,  both as part of an OEM
      mountain bike or  as an accessory  item, are sold  to consumers through  a
      network  of over 10,000 IBDs  worldwide. Management believes that ROCKSHOX
      is the leading  brand of  suspension product sold  by IBDs,  and that  IBD
      enthusiasm  for  ROCKSHOX has  contributed to  consumer acceptance  of the
      Company's suspension products. The  Company maintains its strong  position
      among  IBDs with a variety of  programs, ranging from unique point-of-sale
      materials to worldwide warranty support.
 
    - PRODUCT  LINE   EXPANSION  AND   BRAND  SEGMENTATION.   The  Company   has
      successfully expanded the market for mountain bike suspension by extending
      its  product line and segmenting its brands  to address a growing range of
      price points and performance needs. In 1992, the Company offered only  two
      suspension  forks and participated in  a narrow market segment represented
      by mountain bikes that  retailed for over  $1,000. Today, RockShox  offers
      ten  front suspension  forks under  four different  product lines  and has
      effectively expanded the primary market for its products to mountain bikes
      that retail from $600 to more than $2,500. The Company believes its  broad
      and  segmented product  lines enable RockShox  to leverage  its design and
      manufacturing capabilities to meet the  cost and performance needs of  its
      customers at various price points while maintaining brand name integrity.
 
    - INCREASINGLY  EFFICIENT  DESIGN AND  MANUFACTURING PROCESSES.  The Company
      constantly seeks  increased productivity  in its  product development  and
      manufacturing  activities.  Continuing improvements  in product  design as
      well as the  Company's ability to  bring critical manufacturing  processes
      in-house  have generated significant operating  efficiencies. As a result,
      the Company has been able to expand the target market for its products  by
      introducing    more   moderately-priced    suspension   products   without
      experiencing a material  change in  its overall  gross margin.  Management
      believes   that  the  Company's  emphasis   on  design  and  manufacturing
      improvements will continue to be  a critical factor in RockShox's  ability
      to expand the market for its products.
 
GROWTH STRATEGIES
 
    The  Company has developed the following  growth strategies to capitalize on
its strong brand name, successful products and operating capabilities:
 
    - CAPITALIZE ON THE ONGOING  GROWTH OF HIGH-END  MOUNTAIN BIKE SEGMENT.  The
      Company  believes  that  the high-end  of  the mountain  bike  market will
      continue to  grow  at a  faster  rate  than the  overall  bicycle  market,
      creating  the  opportunity  for increased  sales  of  suspension products.
      According to BMRI, unit sales of mountain bikes in the U.S. by IBDs with a
      retail  price  of  $600  or  more  grew  at  a  compound  annual  rate  of
      approximately  40% from 1992  to 1995, and  this segment of  the market is
      expected to  continue to  grow in  the coming  year. Furthermore,  bicycle
      suspension  manufacturers,  led  by  RockShox,  have  achieved significant
      market penetration (in excess of  80%) among these higher priced  mountain
      bikes.  The Company believes  that it is well  positioned to capitalize on
      the anticipated growth of the high-end  mountain bike market based on  its
      existing  market penetration and leadership, widely recognized brand name,
      innovative and high quality products, and strong OEM relationships.
 
    - PURSUE FAST GROWING  FULL SUSPENSION  MARKET. According  to MOUNTAIN  BIKE
      MAGAZINE,  the number of  mountain bike models available  in the U.S. with
      full suspension has  grown from 39  in 1992  to 213 in  1996. The  Company
      recently  introduced its DELUXE line of rear shocks, which complements its
      front suspension forks and allows the Company to participate fully in  the
      growing  demand for full suspension mountain  bikes. Since it is generally
      not possible to retrofit a mountain bike with rear suspension,  management
      believes  that  consumer  interest  in  full  suspension  should  generate
      incremental
 
                                       26
<PAGE>
      demand for new mountain bikes, which,  in turn, should lead to  additional
      sales  of the Company's well-established front suspension forks as well as
      provide a growing market for its newly introduced rear shocks.
 
    - EXPAND INTO THE HIGHER-VOLUME, MID-PRICED  MOUNTAIN BIKE SEGMENT. Most  of
      the  Company's products are included  on higher-priced mountain bikes that
      retail for  $600 or  more. According  to BMRI,  approximately 17%  of  all
      mountain  bike units sold in  the U.S. by IBDs  during 1995 were priced at
      $600 or above, and  80% of these units  included suspension. In  contrast,
      approximately 83% of mountain bikes sold by IBDs in 1995 were priced under
      $600  and, while  suspension is becoming  more common on  such bikes, less
      than 15%  included suspension.  Management believes  that the  demand  for
      suspension  on mountain bikes priced below $600 is potentially significant
      and growing  rapidly.  The Company  intends  to continue  to  broaden  its
      product  line within its existing distribution channels to capture more of
      this high-volume, mid-priced  mountain bike market.  The Company  recently
      repositioned,  and  is  already  experiencing  success  with,  its  QUADRA
      suspension fork, which is priced to be incorporated on OEM mountain  bikes
      that retail for as low as $475.
 
    - LEVERAGE  BRAND NAME IN  NEW PRODUCT CATEGORIES.  Management believes that
      the performance and comfort of suspension can be applied to bicycles other
      than mountain bikes.  The Company  is currently  designing new  suspension
      forks  for other types of bicycles, including road and trekking bikes, and
      expects to introduce a new  road fork on a  limited basis in fiscal  1997.
      The  Company also  anticipates that it  may develop new  products and from
      time to  time evaluate  acquisition opportunities  to expand  its  product
      lines, including the possible development or acquisition of non-suspension
      bicycle  component  product lines.  See  "Risk Factors--Dependence  on New
      Product Introductions."
 
INDUSTRY OVERVIEW
 
    BICYCLING.  BMRI estimates that approximately 12 million bicycles (excluding
juvenile  bikes)  were  sold  in   the  United  States  in  1995,   representing
approximately  $2.2 billion of retail sales.  Although unit sales of bicycles in
the U.S. have increased less  than 7% since 1993,  the average retail price  per
bicycle  during this same time  period has increased more  than 26% to $183. The
Company believes the average  retail price per bicycle  has increased in  recent
years  as consumers have "traded-up" to purchase new bicycles with more advanced
performance features, including suspension.
 
    Limited  information  is  available  regarding  the  sale  of  bicycles   in
international  markets;  however,  management  believes  that  approximately 114
million bicycles were produced worldwide in 1995. The Company also believes  the
two largest international bicycle markets are Western Europe and Japan, and that
approximately  18  million and  8.5  million bicycles,  respectively,  were sold
therein in 1994.
 
    Bicycles are  sold through  two primary  retail channels:  mass  merchandise
retailers  and IBDs. According  to BMRI, in the  United States, mass merchandise
retailers typically sell lower priced bicycles  that retail for under $400  (the
average  price per bicycle sold by mass  merchandise retailers in 1995 was $105)
with minimal service. In  contrast, IBDs typically  sell higher quality,  higher
priced  bicycles  with full  service and  sales support.  IBD retail  prices can
exceed $2,500 with  an average price  in 1995 of  $349. IBDs (including  general
sporting  goods stores), which accounted  for 27% of U.S.  unit sales and 48% of
U.S. bicycle retail  dollars in  1993, are increasingly  becoming the  preferred
channel  for bicycle  purchases, and,  in 1995, accounted  for 32%  of U.S. unit
sales and 61% of U.S. bicycle retail dollars.
 
    IBDs sell  new, fully-assembled  OEM bicycles  as well  as a  wide range  of
bicycle  performance accessories and products. Leading OEMs selling through IBDs
include  Trek,  Schwinn  Cycling  and  Fitness,  Inc.,  Specialized,  Cannondale
Corporation  ("Cannondale") and GT,  all of which are  customers of the Company.
Whether included as  part of  an OEM's fully-assembled  mountain bike  or as  an
aftermarket  accessory,  ROCKSHOX  suspension  products  are  only  available to
consumers through IBDs.
 
    MOUNTAIN BIKES.   BMRI estimates that  approximately eight million  mountain
bikes  were sold in  the United States in  1995, representing approximately $1.6
billion of retail sales. As a percentage of all bicycles sold in the U.S., sales
of mountain bikes  have increased  from approximately 54%  of units  in 1992  to
approximately  67% of units in 1995 and from approximately 58% of retail dollars
in 1992 to approximately
 
                                       27
<PAGE>
72%  of  retail  dollars   in  1995.  In   addition,  management  believes   the
international  popularity of mountain  biking is growing  and mountain bikes now
represent a significant share of the international bicycle market. The growth in
popularity of mountain bikes is attributable,  in part, to the superior  comfort
of  mountain bikes  as compared  to road  bicycles as  well as  the dramatically
increased terrain available for mountain biking versus other types of cycling.
 
    According to BMRI, over 2.1 million mountain bikes were sold by IBDs in  the
U.S.  in 1995 at  an average price of  $425. According to  BMRI, during the same
period another four to  five million mountain  bike units were  sold by IBDs  in
Western  Europe.  Management believes  that there  has been  a general  trend of
increasing sales  and increasing  average selling  price for  high-end  mountain
bikes, which has benefitted IBDs worldwide over the past several years.
 
    The  growth of the high performance segment  of the mountain bike market has
been a  major  factor  in  the  overall strength  of  IBD  mountain  bike  sales
worldwide.  BMRI estimates that unit sales of mountain bikes in the U.S. by IBDs
with a  retail  price  of $600  or  more  grew  at a  compound  annual  rate  of
approximately 40% from 1992 to 1995, and management believes a similar trend has
occurred over the same period in the international market. The recent popularity
of the more expensive mountain bikes is due in large part to innovations such as
lighter  frames  and  suspension,  which  attract  both  first-time  buyers  and
consumers "trading-up" to obtain more advanced performance features.
 
    Despite recent growth, high  priced mountain bikes  still represent a  small
part  of the overall  mountain bike market  as measured by  units. Most mountain
bikes sold by domestic IBDs retail for under $600 per unit as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                             1995 U.S. IBD
                                                                          MOUNTAIN BIKE SALES
                                                                     ------------------------------
                                                                          UNITS
RETAIL PRICE POINT                                                   (IN THOUSANDS)    % OF TOTAL
- -------------------------------------------------------------------  ---------------  -------------
<S>                                                                  <C>              <C>
$600 and over......................................................           360              17%
$599 and under.....................................................         1,760              83%
                                                                            -----             ---
    Total..........................................................         2,120             100%
                                                                            -----             ---
                                                                            -----             ---
</TABLE>
 
       -------------------------------
       Source: BMRI
 
    SUSPENSION.  According  to BMRI,  approximately 360,000  suspension-equipped
mountain bikes were sold by IBDs in the United States in 1995. Also according to
BMRI,  the average retail  price of a suspension-equipped  mountain bike sold in
1995 through domestic IBDs  was $925, and  over 80% of  all mountain bikes  sold
domestically  for $600  or more included  suspension as  standard equipment. The
significant market penetration  of suspension  at the high-end  of the  mountain
bike  market reflects the  industry's success in  developing suspension products
for  performance-oriented  mountain  bike  enthusiasts  and  racers.  Management
believes  that an opportunity is now  emerging to design suspension products for
the broader, mid-priced  market. Since  1992, an increasing  number of  mountain
bike  models priced below  $600 are being sold  with suspension, as demonstrated
below:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                               NUMBER OF MODELS
                                                            DESIGNED BY OEMS WITH
                                                           SUSPENSION AVAILABLE IN
                                                                   THE U.S.
                                                           ------------------------
RETAIL PRICE POINT                                            1992         1996
- ---------------------------------------------------------     -----        -----
<S>                                                        <C>          <C>
$600 or more.............................................          84          608
$599 or less.............................................           0           56
                                                                   --
                                                                               ---
    Total................................................          84          664
                                                                   --
                                                                   --
                                                                               ---
                                                                               ---
</TABLE>
 
       -------------------------------
       Source: MOUNTAIN BIKE MAGAZINE
 
                                       28
<PAGE>
Today, less than 15% of mountain bikes sold  for under $600 in the U.S. by  IBDs
include  suspension,  but management  expects market  penetration in  this price
segment to  increase dramatically  over  the next  several years  following  the
pattern established at the high-end of the mountain bike market.
 
    In addition, full-suspension bike models, which have both a front suspension
fork  and a rear shock, are  becoming increasingly common. According to MOUNTAIN
BIKE MAGAZINE, mountain bike models available  in the U.S. with full  suspension
have  increased  from  39  in  1992 to  213  in  1996.  Management  expects full
suspension to  gain  increased  market  share  and  achieve  substantial  market
penetration,  first on  mountain bikes priced  above $1,000  and, eventually, on
mountain bikes at lower price points.
 
    While suspension  has grown  in  popularity in  recent  years, a  number  of
manufacturers  of  suspension products  have  withdrawn from  the  market. These
former manufacturers of  suspension products were  primarily mountain bike  OEMs
who  produced suspension products under their own  brand name for their own use.
Management believes these  OEMs, including  Trek and Scott  U.S.A. Inc.  ("Scott
U.S.A."), withdrew from the suspension market because they could not develop the
necessary  technical proficiency, cost  efficiency or brand  name recognition to
compete with other suspension manufacturers.
 
CORPORATE HISTORY
 
    RockShox was founded by Steve Simons and Paul Turner in 1989. Their interest
in suspension technology preceded  the founding of RockShox  by many years,  and
can  be  traced  back to  their  independent  experiences as  designers  of high
performance products in the motorcycle industry.
 
    In 1974, Mr.  Simons founded a  company that specialized  in the design  and
production of advanced motorcycle suspension products, including the manufacture
of  motorcycle front forks. Through this venture, Mr. Simons obtained patents on
two of  his suspension  fork designs,  and became  known for  his technical  and
manufacturing  expertise  relating to  motorcycle  suspension. During  this same
period, Mr. Turner worked for the Honda motocross team and, subsequently, became
an independent consultant in the motorcycle industry.
 
    In 1988, Mr. Turner, who had become increasingly interested in mountain bike
competition,  approached  Mr.  Simons  with  a  prototype  of  a  mountain  bike
suspension  fork for which  Mr. Turner needed  production advice. Messrs. Simons
and Turner  took  this  prototype  and  created  a  commercially-viable  bicycle
component ready for production. This suspension fork, the RS1, was introduced at
a  bicycle  trade  show in  January  1989.  Several months  later,  RockShox was
incorporated in North Carolina. The  original stockholders of RockShox  included
Messrs.  Simons  and Turner  as well  as Dia-Compe,  Inc. ("Dia-Compe"),  a U.S.
subsidiary of a  Japanese bicycle  parts manufacturer,  which provided  start-up
capital, manufacturing facilities and administrative support for the venture.
 
    In  July 1992, Dia-Compe was  divested by its parent  and, in turn, sold its
interest in RockShox to Mr. Simons and his wife, Debra Simons. The Company  then
moved  its principal operations from North  Carolina to California. In September
1994, the  Company  consolidated  its operations  into  its  present  facilities
located in San Jose, California.
 
    Recognizing  both the opportunities and challenges of managing and operating
a high-growth company, Messrs.  Simons and Turner decided  to seek a partner  to
support  their efforts  and strengthen the  Company's management  team. In March
1995, the  Company was  recapitalized in  a transaction  with MCIT  and  certain
persons  and entities affiliated  with The Jordan Company.  As a result thereof,
Messrs. Simons  and Turner  and  certain members  of their  respective  families
became  equal owners in the Company with  MCIT and such affiliates of The Jordan
Company. See "The Recapitalization and the Merger." In addition, the Company has
recently made  several  significant  additions  to  its  management  group.  See
"Management--Directors, Executive Officers and Key Employees."
 
PRODUCTS
 
    ROCKSHOX  suspension  products  are  generally  designed  to  enhance riding
performance and  comfort, and  include front  suspension forks  and rear  shocks
based  on  elastomer,  hydraulic  and spring  coil  technologies.  The Company's
bicycle suspension systems incorporate two functional components: a spring and a
damper. The spring function absorbs the impact of rough terrain and returns  the
fork to its original position after
 
                                       29
<PAGE>
compression.  The damper also  absorbs impact and moderates  the movement of the
fork as it returns  to its original position.  As a result, suspension  provides
better wheel contact with the riding surface, especially on off-road or nonpaved
surfaces, enabling the cyclist to ride with more speed, comfort and control.
 
    Every   ROCKSHOX  fork   uses  aerospace  alloys   and  features  adjustable
suspension, a  progressive  spring rate,  structural  rigidity, low  weight  and
durable  construction. Adjustable suspension  allows the rider  to fine-tune the
fork's  performance  to   accommodate  weight,  skill   level  and   performance
objectives.  Key to any suspension  system is the spring  rate, which allows the
front suspension fork to move easily over small bumps but not "bottom out"  over
larger  ones. The structural rigidity of  ROCKSHOX suspension forks improves the
rider's ability to control the bike,  while low weight enhances overall  bicycle
performance. Every ROCKSHOX fork is covered by a one-year limited warranty.
 
    The  1997 models represent the Company's  broadest line of product offerings
to date. For the 1997  model year, the Company  has ten front suspension  forks,
including  five new forks, and three rear  shocks, including one new rear shock.
All of the Company's products that were introduced prior to the current  product
year  have  experienced model  year modifications  or  upgrades since  they were
originally introduced.
 
    The following tables summarize the Company's 1997 product offerings of front
forks and rear shocks:
 
                                  FRONT FORKS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                TYPICAL
              RETAIL BIKE      SUGGESTED                                             WEIGHT FOR       DATE OF
                 PRICE      RETAIL PRICE IN                         SUSPENSION        STANDARD        ORIGINAL
1997 MODEL     POINT(1)     ACCESSORY MARKET    INTENDED USE        TECHNOLOGY      CONFIGURATION   SHIPMENT(2)
- -----------  -------------  ----------------  ----------------  ------------------  -------------  --------------
<S>          <C>            <C>               <C>               <C>                 <C>            <C>
QUADRA 5     $475-$800      Not offered at    Recreational;     Elastomer           3.2 pounds     May 1994
                            retail            Light Terrain
INDY C       $500-$850      $199              Recreational;     Coil/Solid          3.25 pounds    April 1996
                                              Moderate Terrain  Urethane
INDY XC      $600-$1,200    $239              Cross-Country;    Coil/Multicellular  3.1 pounds     May 1996
                                              Moderate Terrain  Urethane ("MCU")
INDY SL      $900-$2,000    $359              Cross-Country;    Coil/MCU            2.7 pounds     June 1996
                                              Moderate Terrain
MAG 21       $850-$1,200    $299              Cross-Country;    Air/Oil             3.0 pounds     September 1992
                                              Moderate Terrain
JUDY C       $900-$2,000    Not offered at    Cross-Country;    Cartridge           3.25 pounds    July 1996
                            retail            Extreme Terrain
JUDY XC      $1,100-$2,500  $409              Cross-Country;    Cartridge           2.95 pounds    September 1994
                                              Extreme Terrain
JUDY DH      $1,500+        $549              Downhill Racing   Cartridge           3.5 pounds     September 1994
JUDY SL      $1,600+        $649              Cross-Country;    Cartridge           2.7 pounds     September 1994
                                              Extreme Terrain
JUDY DHO     $2,000+        $1,000            Downhill Racing   Cartridge           4.2 pounds     Fall 1996
 
                                                   REAR SHOCKS
 
<CAPTION>
 
                TYPICAL
              RETAIL BIKE      SUGGESTED                                             WEIGHT FOR       DATE OF
                 PRICE      RETAIL PRICE IN                         SUSPENSION        STANDARD        ORIGINAL
1997 MODEL     POINT(1)     ACCESSORY MARKET    INTENDED USE        TECHNOLOGY      CONFIGURATION   SHIPMENT(2)
- -----------  -------------  ----------------  ----------------  ------------------  -------------  --------------
<S>          <C>            <C>               <C>               <C>                 <C>            <C>
DELUXE       $1,000-$1,200  Not offered at    Cross-Country/    Coil over           0.71 pounds    June 1995
                            retail            Downhill          hydraulic damper
COUPE        $1,200-$1,700  $199              Cross-Country/    Coil over           0.71 pounds    July 1996
DELUXE                                        Downhill          hydraulic damper
SUPER        $1,700+        $289              Cross-Country/    Coil over           0.79 pounds    June 1995
DELUXE                                        Downhill          hydraulic damper
                                                                with oil reservoir
</TABLE>
 
- ------------------------------
(1)  The typical retail bike price point represents management's estimate of the
     retail price  range  for OEM  mountain  bikes that  include  the  indicated
     product.
 
(2)  Following  their introduction,  models are  generally upgraded  and revised
     each year.
 
                                       30
<PAGE>
    The following describes the Company's 1997 model year product offerings:
 
    QUADRA
 
    The QUADRA product line has been offered  by the Company since 1992 and,  in
1995,  BICYCLING MAGAZINE recognized the QUADRA 21R as the "best value" in front
suspension  forks.  Building  on   this  reputation  for  providing   suspension
performance  at a moderate  price, the Company repositioned  the line to capture
more of the mid-priced OEM mountain bike market. As a result, the line  includes
only  one offering in 1997, the QUADRA  5, which is targeted at recreational and
mid-performance cyclists. The QUADRA 5 utilizes an elastomeric damper to provide
reliable performance  and has  low  maintenance requirements.  The fork  is  not
currently  available as a retail accessory,  and has been targeted for inclusion
on OEM mountain bikes that retail between $475 and $800.
 
    INDY
 
    The INDY  line was  introduced for  the 1997  bicycle model  year. The  INDY
series  is comprised of three suspension forks: the  INDY C, the INDY XC and the
INDY SL. These forks are targeted at cyclists who spend between $500 and  $2,000
on  a  mountain  bike.  All  three  INDY  forks  utilize  a  combination  spring
coil/urethane  elastomer  system  that  allows  for  a  responsive  ride   while
maintaining  a  relatively  low  fork weight  for  its  price  range. Management
believes that INDY technology and  design delivers significant performance at  a
moderate  price. The INDY  product line retails  to consumers from approximately
$199 for the INDY C to approximately $359 for the INDY SL.
 
    MAG
 
    The MAG line is targeted  at high-performance and professional cyclists  who
spend  more  than $850  on a  mountain bike.  The MAG  line utilizes  an air/oil
hydraulic damper  and uses  RockShox's exclusive  "Static Lockout"  to  minimize
energy  absorption and fork contraction during pedaling.  The MAG 21 is the only
fork currently sold under the MAG line. The  MAG 10, MAG 21 SL and MAG 21  SL/TI
forks previously in this line were superseded in the 1995 model year by the Judy
line.
 
    JUDY
 
    In  1994, the Company introduced the Judy line, which was recognized at such
time by VELO NEWS as the "Best Technical Development of the Year" in the bicycle
industry. The JUDY product line is based on an adjustable hydraulic damper  unit
in  which the damping mechanism is sealed  in a replaceable cartridge. For 1997,
the JUDY line consists of five forks: the JUDY C, the JUDY XC, the JUDY SL,  the
JUDY  DH and the  JUDY DHO. The  JUDY C, a  recent addition to  the JUDY product
line, can be purchased only by OEMs  and is currently not available as a  retail
accessory.  The JUDY XC retails for approximately $409 and is targeted at racing
and other performance enthusiasts. The JUDY  SL weighs only 2.7 pounds,  retails
for  approximately  $649  and  is  designed  for  cyclists  who  demand  premium
performance with minimum weight and who spend in excess of $1,600 on a  mountain
bike. The JUDY DH retails for approximately $549 and is a more rigid, heavy-duty
fork,  specifically designed to meet the  demanding requirements of the downhill
racer. The JUDY DHO is the Company's newest downhill racing fork and is expected
to retail for approximately $1,000.
 
    DELUXE REAR SHOCKS
 
    In the 1996 model  year, the Company introduced  the DELUXE line, its  first
rear  suspension products  to be incorporated  on full  suspension bicycles. The
DELUXE series has been expanded for the  1997 model year, and consists of  three
rear  shocks: the DELUXE, the COUPE DELUXE  and the SUPER DELUXE. All three rear
shocks feature oil damped, nitrogen charged suspension technology, and allow the
Company to  target  a  variety  of  performance  levels  in  the  emerging  full
suspension   mountain  bike  market.  The  Company's  rear  shocks  retail  from
approximately $199 for  the COUPE  DELUXE to  approximately $289  for the  SUPER
DELUXE.
 
                                       31
<PAGE>
PRODUCT AWARDS
 
    Management  believes  that  improvements in  RockShox's  existing suspension
products and  the  development  of  new product  designs  and  technologies  are
necessary  for  the  Company's  continued success  and  growth.  The  Company is
generally recognized as an  industry leader in  product development and  design,
and has won numerous awards for its products, including the following:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
  YEAR             MAGAZINE             PRODUCT                                   AWARD
- ---------  ------------------------  --------------  ----------------------------------------------------------------
<S>        <C>                       <C>             <C>
1989       BICYCLING GUIDE MAGAZINE  RS1             "Best of 1989"
1993       MOUNTAIN BIKE             QUADRA 21R      "Best Product Tried This Year"
                                     ROCKSHOX forks  "Cycling Product Most Likely to Top Your Wish List This
                                                     Year"
1994       VELO NEWS                 JUDY            "Best Technical Development of the Year"
1995       BICYCLING MAGAZINE        QUADRA 21R      "Best Value Fork"
           BUYERS GUIDE              JUDY XC         "Best Overall Fork"
1995       MOUNTAIN BIKE             JUDY SL         "Favorite Suspension Fork"
                                     JUDY SL         "Cycling Product Most Likely to Top Your Wish List This
                                                     Year"
1995       AUGUST BIKE MAGAZINE      MAG 21          "Winner: Most Durable Fork"
           (Germany)
</TABLE>
 
RESEARCH AND PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT
 
    Management  believes that  the Company's  commitment to  product innovation,
research and  development  is  one  of  the  most  significant  in  the  bicycle
suspension  industry. As  of June  30, 1996,  the Company's  product development
activities, based in San Jose,  California, were supported by 14  professionals,
including  nine project engineers, who utilize  an array of sophisticated design
and analytical tools. Development for each major product line (e.g., JUDY, INDY,
etc.) is headed by a senior level project engineer with assistance from at least
one other project  engineer. In addition,  the Company has  an ongoing  advanced
materials/   technologies  program   led  by  its   engineering  manager,  which
investigates and  applies materials  and  processes not  currently used  in  the
manufacture of current products.
 
    The  Company maintains a  testing center in San  Jose, California to collect
data and test designs  prior to commercial introduction.  The testing center  is
staffed by two technicians and managed by a senior project engineer, who perform
various  fatigue, impact and cycle tests  on components and assembled prototypes
during the design process. In addition,  the Company operates a field test  site
in  Santa Cruz,  California to provide  in-use data on  new products. Management
believes that  these testing  facilities  and procedures  allow the  Company  to
design  superior suspension  products and  provide a  competitive advantage with
regard to product quality and safety.
 
    The product development process usually begins one to two years prior to the
expected commercial  introduction of  a new  product, and  generally focuses  on
having  a product ready  for distribution at  the start of  the applicable model
year. In addition,  short-term projects  involving annual  upgrades of  existing
products  and  improvements  to  manufacturing  processes  occur  regularly. New
product ideas  come from  a variety  of sources,  including mountain  bike  race
teams, OEMs, consumers and the Company's employees. Products are developed using
design   and   engineering   software  tools   that   provide   full  parametric
three-dimensional modeling and  finite element analysis,  allowing for  computer
optimization of structures and greatly reducing the time required to develop and
prototype    designs.   Currently,   an    interdepartmental   team,   including
representatives from the Company's  engineering, manufacturing, and, in  certain
cases, sales and marketing departments, is established at the beginning of every
development  project.  Management  believes this  interdepartmental  approach to
product development reduces the time necessary to bring a successful product  to
market.
 
    Current  areas of focus  for product development  include, among others, (i)
research in the  area of  new materials  and processes  to reduce  the cost  and
improve the performance of the Company's current products;
 
                                       32
<PAGE>
(ii)  the continuation of the development of rear suspension products; (iii) the
introduction of products appropriately priced for the mid-priced segment of  the
mountain  bike market; and (iv) the design of new products, including suspension
systems for road and trekking bikes.  The Company's future success will  depend,
in  part, upon its  continued ability to develop  and successfully introduce new
and popular bicycle suspension products  and other types of bicycle  components.
There  can be no assurance that the  Company will introduce any new products or,
if introduced, that any such products will be commercially successful. See "Risk
Factors--Dependence on New Product Introductions."
 
    Research and product development expenditures in fiscal years 1993, 1994 and
1996  were  approximately   $1.5  million,  $2.1   million  and  $3.4   million,
respectively.
 
MANUFACTURING
 
    All  manufacturing is done in the Company's San Jose facilities on multiple,
continuous flow  assembly lines.  These lines  are computer-controlled  and  are
comprised  of a combination of automated  and manual assembly stations supported
by satellite  subassembly  operations.  The  assembly  lines  are  designed  for
efficiency  and  can potentially  produce a  complete  suspension fork  every 20
seconds. In addition to assembly activities, the Company does some machining  of
parts  on-site.  Management  reviews manufacturing  processes  available through
sub-contractors  to  determine  if  opportunities  exist  to  re-engineer   such
processes  and to bring them in-house. To this end, the manufacturing department
has its  own  engineering function,  which  is  currently carried  out  by  four
engineers  and  six technicians.  Typically,  RockShox brings  certain machining
operations into the Company on the basis of cost, quality control, lead-time and
the critical nature  of the subcomponent  in achieving production  efficiencies.
Such in-house machining is generally performed on specialized equipment designed
and built by the Company's manufacturing engineers and subcontractors.
 
    As  of June 30, 1996, manufacturing included approximately 220 non-unionized
employees plus  approximately 100  temporary hires  brought in  during the  peak
building  season from June through January.  The Company generally operates on a
single shift, adding a  second shift when needed.  Extensive training occurs  so
supervisors  and lead  assemblers can  manage their  own work  areas and monitor
product quality.  In  addition,  computerized testing  and  statistical  process
control  are used  to maintain and  measure product quality  during the assembly
process. Finished products are also tested in the Company's product  development
test center.
 
    The  Company works closely with a variety  of vendors to meet its production
needs, including machine shops, die casters, forging houses, tube  manufacturers
and  injection molders. Although the  Company has established relationships with
its  principal  suppliers  and  manufacturing  sources,  the  Company  does  not
currently have long-term contracts with any of its vendors, nor does the Company
currently  have multiple  vendors for all  parts, tooling,  supplies or services
critical to the Company's manufacturing processes. See "Risk Factors--Dependence
on Suppliers;  Manufacturing  Risks."  Currently, all  of  the  Company's  major
suppliers  are  based in  the U.S.  The Company  continually reviews  its vendor
relationships with regard to cost, delivery and quality. During fiscal 1996, the
Company purchased  approximately $8.5  million of  components from  its  largest
vendor. See "Certain Transactions--Other."
 
    Production planning starts with a general forecast several months before the
beginning of the model/ fiscal year. This general forecast is then turned into a
more  complete, time-phased forecast  by customer and  suspension product, which
guides  initial  planning  for  parts  and  labor  requirements.  As  the   year
progresses,  the  forecast  is  constantly  reviewed  and  compared  with actual
customer orders. Manufacturing inventory levels are currently managed through an
Integrated ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) Package.
 
    The Company's policy is  to require firm purchase  orders from OEMs 60  days
prior  to shipment,  which generally allows  the Company  to manufacture product
against a  known  backlog.  As of  June  30,  1996, the  Company's  backlog  was
approximately  $21.9 million. Substantially all  of the Company's backlog orders
are expected to be  filled within 90  days, although there  can be no  assurance
that  all such backlog orders will be filled within that time period, if at all.
The backlog of  orders at any  given time is  affected by a  number of  factors,
including seasonality, availability of parts and the scheduling of manufacturing
and  shipment of products.  Accordingly, the backlog of  orders for a particular
period is not necessarily meaningful and  may not be indicative of future  sales
activity or product popularity.
 
                                       33
<PAGE>
    See  "Risk Factors--Sales  Concentration; Dependence  on OEMs," "--Quarterly
Fluctuations in Operating  Results; Difficulty  in Forecasting  OEM Orders"  and
"--Dependence on Suppliers; Manufacturing Risks"
 
SALES AND DISTRIBUTION
 
    The  Company's products are primarily sold to OEMs, who incorporate ROCKSHOX
branded  components  as  part  of  new,  fully-assembled  mountain  bikes   sold
worldwide, and through distributors or, in some cases, directly to IBDs, each of
whom  serve the  retail accessory  market. For the  fiscal year  ended March 31,
1996, approximately  68% of  the Company's  total  net sales  were to  OEMs  and
approximately  32%  were to  distributors and  IBDs.  OEM customers  have become
increasingly important to the Company as bicycle suspension has evolved from  an
accessory  niche component  into standard  equipment on  better quality mountain
bikes. The following table  demonstrates the historical  shift in the  Company's
customer base and product distribution:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                               FISCAL YEAR ENDED
                                            ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                 DECEMBER 31, 1993             DECEMBER 31, 1994               MARCH 31, 1996
                                            ----------------------------  ----------------------------  ----------------------------
                                              NET SALES                     NET SALES                     NET SALES
                                                 (IN           % OF            (IN           % OF            (IN           % OF
                                             THOUSANDS)      NET SALES     THOUSANDS)      NET SALES     THOUSANDS)      NET SALES
                                            -------------  -------------  -------------  -------------  -------------  -------------
<S>                                         <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>
OEMs......................................    $  19,479            63%      $  24,482            65%      $  57,103            68%
Distributors and IBDs.....................       11,462            37%         13,418            35%         26,406            32%
                                            -------------         ---     -------------         ---     -------------         ---
    Total.................................    $  30,941           100%      $  37,900           100%      $  83,509           100%
                                            -------------         ---     -------------         ---     -------------         ---
                                            -------------         ---     -------------         ---     -------------         ---
</TABLE>
 
    Management  believes that the  Company's products play  an important role in
the sale of OEM bikes and that OEMs are aware of the influence that the ROCKSHOX
brand name  has  on a  consumer's  selection of  a  mountain bike.  Every  front
suspension  fork sold today  to OEMs prominently displays  the ROCKSHOX name. In
addition to its strong  brand name, the Company  believes that OEMs also  choose
ROCKSHOX  for product innovation,  reliability and quality.  The Company further
solidifies its OEM relationships by providing a high level of customer  service,
ranging   from  early  stage   engineering  and  design   support  to  worldwide
distribution and aftermarket service for its products.
 
    The Company currently sells  to over 150 OEM  accounts worldwide. While  the
OEM  market is fragmented,  according to BMRI, ten  leading OEM brands represent
over 75% of bicycle  sales dollars generated  through domestic IBDs.  Management
believes  that these OEMs also represent a significant portion of better quality
mountain bikes sold worldwide.  All of these leading  OEMs are customers of  the
Company and eight of the ten rely on RockShox as their primary supplier of front
suspension forks. The Company has substantial international sales, a significant
portion  of which include products shipped to Asian manufacturing subcontractors
for certain U.S.-based OEMs. See "Risk Factors--Sales Concentration;  Dependence
on  OEMs," "--Risks Associated  with International Business  and Market Demand,"
"Management's Discussion  and Analysis  of Financial  Condition and  Results  of
Operations--Results of Operations" and "Industry Overview."
 
    The  sales process  for OEM  customers begins  in January  and February with
presentations  of  the  Company's  product  line  for  the  coming  model  year.
Typically,  the Company learns between April and  June if its products have been
specified on various OEM bike models  and of OEM volume expectations per  model,
although  such estimates  are subject  to significant  adjustment throughout the
year. Shipments  are then  made  directly to  OEMs  or to  their  subcontractors
(typically  bicycle  frame  manufacturers  located  in  Asia)  beginning  in the
April-June quarter and  peaking in  the July-September quarter.  OEM sales  slow
down  in  the second  half  of the  Company's  fiscal year  and  are principally
comprised of  OEM reorders,  which the  Company believes  primarily reflect  the
popularity and sell-through rates of various OEM mountain bikes that incorporate
ROCKSHOX  components. See "Risk  Factors -- Quarterly  Fluctuations in Operating
Results; Difficulty in Forecasting OEM Orders."
 
    Sales to distributors and IBDs generally  trail the OEM process, with  sales
to  distributors at their highest during the middle of the Company's fiscal year
(August and September) and sales to  dealers peaking during the following  March
and April. The Company currently has five distributors in the United States, all
of
 
                                       34
<PAGE>
whom  are  owned by  OEM customers,  and  40 additional  distributors worldwide.
Management believes  that  sales of  the  Company's products  through  OEM-owned
distributors are an important revenue source for OEMs and further strengthen the
Company's relationships with its major customers. Distributors purchase ROCKSHOX
products  for resale to IBDs and  also provide worldwide servicing and marketing
support for all of  the Company's products. In  the U.S., the Company  generally
sells directly to IBDs product quantities too small for third-party distributors
to  handle. Direct sales  to IBDs in  the United States  were approximately $4.7
million in fiscal 1996.
 
    As of June 30, 1996,  the Company had approximately  35 people in sales  and
customer  service functions. The Company's  principal sales activities are based
in San  Jose, California.  In addition,  the Company  has an  independent  sales
representative  based  in  Bern,  Switzerland.  The  Company's  customer service
activities include a warranty program  managed by an in-house technical  support
department in the U.S. and a distributor network of technicians outside the U.S.
 
    In  fiscal  1996,  approximately 56%  of  the  Company's sales  were  to the
Company's ten largest customers, certain of which (including Trek) purchase from
the Company as both an OEM customer  and a distributor. Sales to Trek  accounted
for  more than 10% of the Company's  net sales in fiscal 1996, substantially all
of which were for OEM use by Trek. The Company received an award from Trek as  a
"key  supplier of the  year" in 1995. At  March 31, 1996 and  June 30, 1996, the
Company's three  OEM customers  with the  largest accounts  receivable  balances
accounted  for  approximately 61.5%  and 47.8%,  respectively, of  the Company's
accounts receivable. The  Company has  no long-term  contracts with  any of  its
customers. See "Risk Factors-- Sales Concentration; Dependence on OEMs."
 
MARKETING
 
    ROCKSHOX  has one of the  most widely recognized brand  names in the bicycle
industry. Management believes  that the  Company's brand  image, in  combination
with  the performance features of  its products, is an  important element in the
consumer's decision to purchase ROCKSHOX suspension as an accessory product  and
that  its OEM customers recognize  the strength of the  ROCKSHOX brand name as a
deciding factor in the consumer's choice of mountain bikes.
 
    The Company promotes and maintains its brand name through focused  marketing
efforts  such as sponsorship of mountain bike racing teams, magazine advertising
and editorial programs, IBD packaging and point of sale materials, participation
in trade shows and promotional clothing and merchandise. The Company's marketing
department oversees all aspects of the  promotion of the Company's products  and
brand name.
 
    The principal user of the Company's products is the mountain bike enthusiast
between 19 and 34 years of age. To appeal to this market, the Company emphasizes
the  high performance features of its products  as well as its affinity with the
mountain biking  culture. The  goal of  the Company's  marketing efforts  is  to
communicate both technical information and an offbeat and irreverent image.
 
    The  sponsorship of  mountain bike racing  teams and racers  is an important
part of the Company's  research and product development  efforts as well as  its
marketing  strategy. The Company  believes that the  association of its products
with  successful  racers  increases  its   knowledge  of  the  requirements   of
professional  racers as  well as consumer  awareness of and  demand for RockShox
suspension products. The Company currently  co-sponsors 20 world-class and  over
50  junior and  amateur race  teams, many of  which also  have affiliations with
OEMs. The Company's sponsorship agreements with racing teams generally are for a
one-year term, and provide for a retainer plus contingent performance  payments.
The  Company  also provides  free product  and  technical support  for sponsored
racers, including access to RockShox's technical service trucks that attend many
of the major races in the U.S. and  Europe. There can be no assurance that  such
racing  teams will continue to be sponsored by the Company and use the Company's
products on terms the Company deems acceptable, or that the Company will be able
to attract new mountain bike racing teams to use its products in the future.
 
    The Company's products are advertised in a variety of U.S. and international
consumer and  trade bicycle  publications, including  BICYCLING, MOUNTAIN  BIKE,
MOUNTAIN BIKE ACTION, VELO NEWS and BICYCLE
 
                                       35
<PAGE>
RETAILER,  as well  as on the  World Wide Web.  The Company's goal  is to expand
awareness of the ROCKSHOX  brand name and to  support product line  segmentation
with advertising campaigns built around the JUDY, INDY, DELUXE and other product
lines.  The  Company also  seeks to  increase  RockShox's editorial  exposure in
bicycle print  media by  working closely  with magazine  editors. The  Company's
focus  on editorial content has helped maintain high visibility for the ROCKSHOX
brand name and the Company's products.
 
    The Company currently supports its brand  name in the retail bike market  by
supplying  unique packaging and  point of sale  displays to IBDs,  as well as by
providing brochures that are designed to help explain the technical  performance
features  of its products. Materials are generally  provided at cost or for free
to distributors  and IBDs.  The  Company also  maintains  a strong  presence  at
national and international trade shows. As part of its retail marketing efforts,
the Company recently introduced a line of mountain bike lifestyle clothing known
as  ROCKSHOX GARB. The clothing line includes t-shirts, cotton jerseys, jackets,
vests and  hats and  is sold  to distributors,  bicycles shops  and directly  to
consumers  at  race events.  The Company  believes  that ROCKSHOX  GARB provides
another avenue to promote the ROCKSHOX brand name and the Company's products.
 
    Sales and marketing  expenditures totaled approximately  $2.7 million,  $1.8
million and $3.7 million in fiscal years 1993, 1994 and 1996, respectively.
 
COMPETITION
 
    The  markets  for bicycle  components,  in general,  and  bicycle suspension
products, in particular, are highly competitive. The Company competes with other
bicycle component companies that produce  suspension products for sale to  OEMs,
distributors  and  IBDs as  well  as with  OEMs who  produce  their own  line of
suspension products for  their own  use and  for sale  through distributors  and
IBDs.
 
    The Company competes with several component companies that manufacture front
suspension   products,  including,   among  others,   Answer,  Rapid  Suspension
Technology USA, Inc. ("RST"), Marzocchi SpA ("Marzocchi"), SR Suntour USA, Inc.,
Amp Research Corp. ("Amp") and Girvin, Inc. ("Girvin"), which is a subsidiary of
K2 Incorporated  ("K2").  The  Company  also  competes  with  several  component
companies  that manufacture rear  shocks, including, among  others, Fox Factory,
Inc. ("Fox"), RST, Risse Racing Technology, Inc., Amp, Marzocchi and Girvin. The
Company believes  that  it currently  has  the  leading market  share  in  front
suspension  forks. The Company only recently  introduced its rear shock products
for the emerging full  suspension market and believes  it currently trails  Fox,
the leading manufacturer of rear shocks.
 
    Over  the past few years, Trek and  Scott U.S.A. have discontinued their own
lines of suspension products and have been specifying ROCKSHOX products on  many
of  their mountain  bike models.  Today, Cannondale  and K2,  through its Girvin
subsidiary, are the  only major  OEMs that have  their own  brand of  suspension
products, although Cannondale does use ROCKSHOX products on certain bike models.
Both  of these OEMs also make their  suspension products available to the retail
accessory market.  In  addition, Answer  has  introduced its  own  bicycle  with
Manitou-branded front and rear shocks.
 
    In  order to build or retain its  market share, the Company must continue to
successfully compete in areas that  influence the purchasing decisions of  OEMs,
distributors,  IBDs and consumers, including design, price, quality, technology,
distribution, marketing, style, brand image  and customer service. There can  be
no  assurance that any number of  bicycle component manufacturers, OEMs or other
companies, including those who  are larger and have  greater resources than  the
Company and who currently do not provide bicycle suspension products or do so on
a  limited basis, will not become direct  or more significant competitors of the
Company. In  addition, OEMs  frequently design  their bicycles  to meet  certain
retail  price  points, and,  as a  result, may  choose not  to use  a suspension
product or may select a lower priced  ROCKSHOX or competing product in order  to
incorporate  other  components  in  the bicycle's  specifications  that  the OEM
perceives as being desirable to the  consumer. The Company could therefore  face
competition  from  existing  or  new  competitors  that  introduce  and  promote
suspension products  or  other  bicycle  components  perceived  by  the  bicycle
industry  or consumers to offer price or performance advantages to, or otherwise
have greater consumer appeal than, the Company's products.
 
    See "Risk Factors--Competition."
 
                                       36
<PAGE>
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
 
    Because much of the technology associated with suspension products is in the
public domain,  patent protection  is generally  available only  for  particular
features  or functions  of a product,  rather than  for any product  as a whole.
Management believes  that  many of  the  Company's current  suspension  products
contain some elements that are protected by the Company's patents. Nevertheless,
the  Company's  competitors currently  replicate and  may continue  to replicate
certain features  and functions  of  the Company's  products.  There can  be  no
assurance that current or future patent protection will prevent competitors from
offering  competing products,  that any issued  patents will be  upheld, or that
patent protection  will be  granted in  any or  all of  the countries  in  which
applications  are currently pending or granted on the breadth of the description
of the invention. In  addition, due to considerations  relating to, among  other
things,  cost, delay or  adverse publicity, there  can be no  assurance that the
Company will elect to enforce its intellectual property rights.
 
    The Company currently holds patents on its fork brace and hydraulic  valving
in  certain European countries  and the United  States, and it  is attempting to
have patents granted thereon in Canada, Japan and Taiwan. The Company also holds
patents in the  United States  covering its removable  cartridge technology  and
rear  shock suspension and  has applied for a  patent covering its hydraulically
damped  spring  shock  absorbing  fork   technology.  The  Company  is   seeking
corresponding  patent protection in  Canada, Japan, Taiwan  and certain European
countries. The Company  also has trademark  registrations for its  name and  the
name   of  its  products  in  the  United  States  and  both  registrations  and
applications in Canada  and certain  South American and  Pacific Rim  countries.
Although  the  Company  believes  that patents  are  useful  in  maintaining the
Company's  competitive  position,  it  considers  other  factors,  such  as  the
Company's  brand  name, ability  to  design innovative  products,  technical and
manufacturing expertise  and  customer service  to  be its  primary  competitive
advantages.
 
    The  Company's competitors  have also  obtained and  may continue  to obtain
patents on certain features of their  products, which may prevent or  discourage
the  Company from offering such features on  its products, which, in turn, could
result  in  a  competitive  disadvantage   to  the  Company.  The  Company   has
occasionally   received,  and  may  receive  in  the  future,  claims  asserting
intellectual property rights owned by third parties that relate to the Company's
products and product  features. Although  to date  the Company  has incurred  no
material  liabilities as a result of any  such claims, there can be no assurance
that the Company will not incur material liabilities in the future.
 
    Answer has asserted that it is  the exclusive licensee of the Answer  Patent
that  Answer  asserts  covers certain  Features  of the  Company's  current JUDY
suspension products.  However,  the Company  has  a patent  application  pending
before the Patent Office that seeks a patent on certain of the same Features. In
the U.S., patent rights belong to the first to invent, and there can be only one
patent  issued for a given invention. If an invention is otherwise patentable to
two patent applicants, an "interference" can be declared by the Patent Office in
order to  determine  which applicant  was  the  first to  invent  and  therefore
entitled  to the patent  on such invention.  The Company is  seeking to have the
Patent Office  declare such  an  interference in  order  to determine  that  the
Company  was  the first  to invent  and therefore  entitled to  a patent  on the
Features. Although the  Company believes  that it was  the first  to invent  the
Features,  there can be no  assurance that the Answer  Patent (which the Company
believes, if valid, could cover the  Features of JUDY products manufactured  for
the Company's 1997 (current) model year will be invalidated. In addition, Answer
(or  certain of  its related  persons) has  applied for  patents that  may cover
certain of the  Features in  various countries outside  the U.S.,  and, in  such
countries,  patent rights generally  belong to the first  person filing a patent
application.
 
    In an  effort to  avoid the  costs, delays  and risks  of litigation  or  an
interference  proceeding (including adverse effects  on the Company's business),
management of the Company  has commenced discussions  with Answer regarding  the
possible  settlement of this  dispute. However, the Company  and Answer have not
reached any  settlement,  and there  can  be  no assurance  that  any  agreement
relating  to the Features will be reached. On September 26, 1996, Answer filed a
lawsuit alleging that the Company has infringed the Answer Patent. However,  the
Company  intends to vigorously defend such suit. See "Legal Proceedings." Answer
has informed the  Company that, although  it will consider  pursuing all of  its
legal  remedies, it continues to believe that  the best solution to this dispute
is a business settlement, not a legal fight.
 
                                       37
<PAGE>
    If Answer ultimately retains the  Answer Patent and successfully asserts  it
against  the Company, or  if any other person  or entity were  to assert a valid
claim of infringement with respect to, or otherwise have enforceable proprietary
rights in,  features that  the Company  includes or  desires to  include on  its
products, and if the Company were unable to negotiate an acceptable licensing or
other  arrangement with  such person or  entity, the Company  could, among other
things, be precluded from making or marketing products containing such  features
and  be required to  make significant payments  to such person  or entity (which
payments  would  equal   at  least   a  reasonable  royalty   and,  in   certain
circumstances,  could  be based  on  lost profits,  in  each case  together with
interest and court costs; and, in special circumstances, the damage amount could
be trebled and  include attorneys' fees),  which could have  a material  adverse
effect on the Company or its prospects.
 
    See  "Risk Factors--Limited  Protection of Technology;  Allegation of Patent
Infringement."
 
FACILITIES
 
    The Company's headquarters  are located  in an  approximately 55,000  square
foot building in San Jose, California, pursuant to a lease that expires in 2000.
The  Company leases three  other facilities of  approximately 15,000, 26,000 and
36,000 square feet in the San Jose area, pursuant to leases that expire in 1997,
2000 and 2001, respectively. The Company also leases several smaller facilities.
The Company  believes that  its existing  facilities are  adequate to  meet  its
existing requirements. The Company expects that it will need additional space or
to relocate if its sales continue to grow.
 
ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS
 
    The  Company is  subject to Federal,  state and local  laws, regulations and
ordinances that  (i)  govern activities  or  operations that  may  have  adverse
environmental  effects (such as  emissions to air, discharges  to water, and the
generation, handling, storage, transportation,  treatment and disposal of  solid
and  hazardous wastes) or  (ii) impose liability for  cleaning up or remediating
contaminated property (or the costs  therefor), including damages from,  spills,
disposals  or  other  releases of  hazardous  substances or  wastes,  in certain
circumstances without regard  to fault. The  Company's manufacturing  operations
routinely involve the handling of chemicals and wastes, some of which are or may
be regulated as hazardous substances. The Company has not incurred, and does not
expect  to incur, any significant  expenditures or liabilities for environmental
matters. As a result,  the Company believes  that its environmental  obligations
will not have a material adverse effect on its operations or financial position.
 
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
 
    Because of the risks inherent in bicycling, in general, and mountain biking,
in  particular,  and because  of  the function  of  the Company's  products, the
Company from  time to  time is  a defendant  in a  number of  product  liability
lawsuits and expects that this will continue to be the case in the future. These
lawsuits  generally seek damages, sometimes in substantial amounts, for personal
injuries sustained as  a result of  alleged defects in  the Company's  products.
Although the Company has experienced no material financial loss relating to such
lawsuits and maintains product liability insurance, due to the uncertainty as to
the number of claims or the nature and extent of liability for personal injuries
and  changes in  the historical  or future levels  of insurance  coverage or the
terms or cost thereof, such insurance may not be adequate or available to  cover
product  liability claims or  the applicable insurer  may not be  solvent at the
time of any covered loss, any of  which could have a material adverse effect  on
the Company or its prospects.
 
    On  September 26, 1996,  Answer filed a  complaint (the "Complaint") against
the Company in U.S. District  Court, Southern District of Indiana,  Indianapolis
division,  alleging that  the manufacture and  sale of certain  of the Company's
products infringes the Answer Patent.  The Complaint seeks, among other  things,
(i)  an injunction against the Company and its affiliates from manufacturing and
selling products  that  allegedly infringe  the  Answer Patent,  (ii)  an  order
directing  the Company and its  affiliates to destroy all  equipment used in the
manufacture of products that allegedly infringe the Answer Patent, (iii)  treble
the  amount  of  monetary  damages, costs,  and  prejudgment  interest  and (iv)
reasonable attorneys' fees. The Company intends to vigorously defend such  suit.
However,  if such  suit is  decided adversely  to the  Company, it  could have a
material adverse effect on the Company and its prospects.
 
                                       38
<PAGE>
    See "Risk Factors--Product Liability," "--Limited Protection of  Technology;
Allegation of Patent Infringement" and "Intellectual Property."
 
    The  Company  may from  time to  time be  a party  to various  other claims,
complaints and other legal action that  arise in the normal course of  business.
The  Company  believes  that  the  outcome  of  its  current  legal proceedings,
individually or in the aggregate, will not have a material adverse effect on the
Company or its prospects.
 
GOVERNMENT REGULATION
 
    Bicycle suspension  products are  within the  jurisdiction of  the CPSC  and
other  Federal, state and  foreign regulatory bodies.  Under CPSC regulations, a
manufacturer of consumer goods is obligated  to notify the CPSC if, among  other
things,  the manufacturer becomes  aware that one  of its products  has a defect
that could create  a substantial  risk of injury.  If the  manufacturer has  not
already  undertaken to do  so, the CPSC  may require a  manufacturer to recall a
product, which may involve product repair, replacement or refund.
 
    In 1996, the  CPSC sent  a letter to  major manufacturers  and importers  of
mountain  bikes as well as several suspension component manufacturers, including
RockShox, expressing  concern  about reports  of  injuries and  recall  activity
relating  to failures of mountain bike suspension forks and urging manufacturers
to participate in the development of voluntary safety performance standards  for
such  suspension products through the ASTM. While  an employee of the Company is
participating in the  development of these  standards by chairing  an ASTM  task
force  on bicycle  suspension, such  standards, if  adopted, could  increase the
development  and  manufacturing  costs  of  the  Company's  products,  make  the
Company's products less desirable (by, for example, increasing the weight of the
product)  or favor  a competitor's product.  The Company  cannot predict whether
standards relating to the Company's products or otherwise affecting the  bicycle
suspension  industry will  be adopted (whether  by the CPSC  or another Federal,
state or foreign  regulatory body) and,  if adopted, no  assurance can be  given
that  the  implementation of  such standards  will not  have a  material adverse
effect on the Company or its prospects.
 
    Adverse publicity relating  to mountain bike  suspension or mountain  biking
generally, or publicity associated with actions by the CPSC or others expressing
concerns  about  the  safety  or  function  of  the  Company's  products,  other
suspension products  or  mountain  bikes  (whether  or  not  such  publicity  is
associated  with a  claim against the  Company or  results in any  action by the
Company or the CPSC), could have an adverse effect on the Company's  reputation,
brand image or markets, any of which could have a material adverse effect on the
Company or its prospects.
 
    Several  local,  state  and  Federal  authorities  have  recently considered
substantial restrictions  or closures  of public  trails to  biking use,  citing
environmental  concerns  and disputes  between mountain  bikers and  other trail
users (including hikers).  Such restrictions  or closures, if  implemented in  a
regional  or widespread  manner, could  lead to a  decline in  the popularity of
mountain biking, which could  have a material adverse  effect on the Company  or
its prospects.
 
    The  Company  is subject  to Federal,  state  and local  environmental laws,
regulations and ordinances. The Company has not incurred, and does not expect to
incur, any significant expenditures or liabilities for environmental matters. As
a result, the Company believes that its environmental obligations will not  have
a material adverse effect on the Company or its prospects.
 
    See "Risk Factors--Government Regulation; Adverse Publicity."
 
PRODUCT RECALL
 
    Bicycles and bicycle components, including suspension products, are frequent
subjects  of product  recalls, corrective actions  and manufacturers' bulletins.
Since its founding in 1989, the  Company has conducted one voluntary  corrective
action  without  CPSC  involvement  and  two  voluntary  corrective  actions  in
conjunction with the CPSC. None of  these actions has been financially  material
to the Company.
 
                                       39
<PAGE>
    The  Company's first voluntary corrective  action was conducted without CPSC
involvement and involved  braces on  the MAG  20 and  MAG 30  forks, which  were
manufactured  prior to 1992.  In response to  reports of fork  brace breakage on
some mountain bike models, the Company instituted the corrective action in early
1992 and offered to  replace the braces. The  cost of this voluntary  corrective
action was immaterial.
 
    The  second voluntary corrective action involved approximately 21,000 MAG 20
and MAG 30 suspension  forks, which were manufactured  between October 1991  and
June 1992. The Company received notice of two incidents involving minor injuries
and  concluded,  after investigation,  that some  fork crowns  did not  meet the
Company's standards. After reviewing the progress of such corrective action,  in
March   1996,  the  CPSC   ceased  monitoring  the   situation  and  closed  its
investigation, although it reserved the right to reopen the investigation if  it
determined  that the public had not been adequately protected by such corrective
action. The Company estimates that the cost of this voluntary corrective  action
will  be  approximately $150,000,  which  amount has  been  provided for  on the
Company's financial statements to date.
 
    The third voluntary corrective action involved molded plastic top caps  used
on  approximately 180,000 QUADRA 5, QUADRA  21R and QUADRA 21 forks manufactured
between January 1995 and August 1995.  The Company received reports of top  caps
coming  loose  and  popping  up.  Although no  reports  of  serious  injury were
received, the Company decided to provide replacement top caps. In January  1996,
the  CPSC indicated that  the nature and  degree of risk  of injury presented by
such products did not necessitate action by the CPSC. The Company estimates that
the cost of  this voluntary  corrective action will  be approximately  $300,000,
which  amount has  been provided  for on  the Company's  financial statements to
date.
 
    The number  of suspension  products  sold by  the Company  has  dramatically
increased  since the Company's  founding in 1989,  new product introductions are
occurring frequently,  and the  Company's products  may not  have been  used  by
riders  for  a period  of time  sufficient to  determine all  of the  effects of
prolonged use and the environment on such products. As a result, there can be no
assurance that there will not be  recalls, corrective actions or other  activity
voluntarily  or involuntarily undertaken by the Company or involving the CPSC or
other regulatory bodies on a more frequent basis or at a higher cost than in the
past, involving  past,  current or  future  products, including  those  products
previously  subject to  voluntary corrective action,  any of which  could have a
material adverse effect on the Company or its prospects.
 
    See "Risk Factors--Product  Recall; Warranty  Costs" and  Notes 2  and 5  of
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
EMPLOYEES
 
    As  of  June  30, 1996,  the  Company employed  approximately  300 full-time
employees. In  addition,  the  Company  utilizes  approximately  100  occasional
personnel  in its assembly operations to  meet production demand. The Company is
not a party to any labor agreements and none of its employees is represented  by
a  labor union. The Company considers its  relationship with its employees to be
excellent and has never experienced a work stoppage.
 
                                       40
<PAGE>
                                   MANAGEMENT
 
DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND KEY EMPLOYEES
 
    The following table sets forth certain information concerning the directors,
executive officers  and  other  key  employees of  the  Company.  Shortly  after
consummation  of the Offering, the Company  intends to appoint two directors who
are neither officers nor employees of  the Company, The Jordan Company or  their
respective affiliates ("Independent Directors").
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
         NAME            AGE              POSITION
- -----------------------  ---   -------------------------------
<S>                      <C>   <C>
John W. Jordan II        48    Chairman of the Board of
                               Directors
Stephen W. Simons        42    President and Director
Paul Turner              37    Vice President of Advanced
                               Research and Director
Charles E. Noreen Jr.    35    Chief Financial Officer
Robert Kaswen            49    Executive Vice President of
                               Operations
Elizabeth Bradley        37    Director of Sales and Marketing
Adam E. Max              38    Vice President and Director
</TABLE>
 
    Mr.  Jordan has served as Chairman of  the Board of Directors of the Company
since March 1995. Mr. Jordan will resign  as Chairman of the Board of  Directors
prior  to the  consummation of  the Offering,  and will  continue to  serve as a
director of the Company. Mr. Jordan has been the managing partner of The  Jordan
Company,  a private merchant banking firm  that he founded, since February 1982.
Mr. Jordan is also a director of Jordan Industries, Inc., American Safety  Razor
Company,  Jackson  Products, Inc.,  Carmike Cinemas,  Inc., Welcome  Home, Inc.,
Apparel Ventures, Inc. and other private companies.
 
    Mr. Simons is a  co-founder of the  Company, has been  a director since  its
inception  in  1989  and became  President  in  1992. In  addition  to executive
functions, he oversees product  manufacturing and sales.  Prior to founding  the
Company, Mr. Simons founded SIMONS, which developed suspension modifications and
complete  motorcycle front  forks. Mr. Simons  also founded  Simons Precision, a
precision manufacturer of parts for  motorcycles. Simons Precision is now  known
as  Simons & Susslin, Inc. and is wholly owned by persons who are not affiliated
with either the Company or Mr. Simons. See "Certain Transactions."
 
    Mr. Turner is a  co-founder of the  Company, has been  a director since  its
inception  in 1989 and became  Vice President in 1992.  In addition to executive
functions, Mr.  Turner  often represents  the  Company at  industry  and  public
events,  and participates in certain marketing  decisions. Prior to founding the
Company in 1989,  Mr. Turner worked  with Honda Motor  Company and founded  Paul
Turner  Racing.  Mr.  Turner  is  generally regarded  as  a  pioneer  in bicycle
suspension and is well known throughout the mountain bike industry.
 
    Mr. Noreen has  been the Chief  Financial Officer of  the Company since  May
1996.  Prior to such time, Mr. Noreen was an audit manager and then a partner in
the San Jose,  California office  of the accounting  firm of  Coopers &  Lybrand
L.L.P., which he joined in 1983.
 
    Mr.  Kaswen joined the  Company in September 1992  and became Executive Vice
President of Operations in April 1996. Since joining the Company, Mr. Kaswen has
progressively assumed  responsibility  for  engineering,  production,  materials
management,  quality assurance and service warranty  functions. From May 1990 to
September 1992,  Mr.  Kaswen  was  the Director  of  Professional  Services  for
Relevant  Business  Systems,  Inc.,  a supplier  of  software  for manufacturing
companies.
 
    Ms. Bradley joined RockShox in May 1996 as Director of Sales and  Marketing.
From  1989  until  joining  the  Company,  Ms.  Bradley  was  an  Executive Vice
President, Marketing  and  Strategic Planning  of  Giro Sport  Design,  Inc.,  a
manufacturer  of  performance bicycle  helmets.  Ms. Bradley  was  the Marketing
Director of a  division of Saturday's  Group from  1988 to 1989  and an  account
executive at Chiat/Day Advertising from 1983 to 1986.
 
                                       41
<PAGE>
    Mr.  Max has  served as a  director and  officer of the  Company since March
1995. Mr. Max will resign as an officer of the Company prior to the consummation
of the Offering. Mr. Max is a  principal of The Jordan Company, which he  joined
in April 1986. Mr. Max is also a director of a number of private companies.
 
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
 
    The  Company's Board of Directors is  currently comprised of Messrs. Simons,
Turner, Jordan and Max, each  of which was nominated  to the Board of  Directors
pursuant  to the Stockholders  Agreement (as defined  below), which required the
stockholders named  therein to  vote  for such  nominees. Such  provisions  will
terminate  immediately  following the  consummation of  the Offering.  See "Risk
Factors--Concentration of  Ownership"  and  "Certain  Transactions--Stockholders
Agreement."  Shortly  following the  consummation of  the Offering,  the Company
intends to appoint two Independent Directors.
 
    Upon the appointment of  the Independent Directors,  the Board of  Directors
intends  to establish an Audit Committee and a Compensation Committee. The Audit
Committee will be  responsible for recommending  to the Board  of Directors  the
engagement  of the  independent auditors of  the Company and  reviewing with the
independent  auditors  the  scope  and  results  of  the  audits,  the  internal
accounting  controls  of  the  Company,  audit  practices  and  the professional
services furnished by the independent auditors. The Compensation Committee  will
be   responsible  for   reviewing  and   approving  all   compensation  and  for
administering the Stock Plan.
 
    The DGCL provides that a company may indemnify its directors and officers as
to certain  liabilities.  The  Company's Amended  and  Restated  Certificate  of
Incorporation and Amended and Restated Bylaws provide for the indemnification of
its  directors and  officers to  the fullest  extent permitted  by law,  and the
Company intends to enter into  separate indemnification agreements with each  of
its  directors and officers  and to purchase  directors' and officers' liability
insurance. The effect of  such provisions and actions  are to indemnify, to  the
fullest  extent  permitted by  law, the  directors and  officers of  the Company
against all costs, expenses and liabilities incurred by them in connection  with
any  action, suit or  proceeding in which  they are involved  by reason of their
affiliation with the Company.
 
COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS
 
    Pursuant to  the  Stockholders  Agreement,  each  director  of  the  Company
receives  $7,500 per year. After the consummation of the Offering, directors who
are employees of  the Company will  receive no compensation  for serving on  the
Board.  It is expected that directors who  are not employees of the Company will
receive $20,000 per year. All directors will be reimbursed for expenses incurred
in connection with attendance at Board or Committee meetings.
 
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
 
    The following table sets forth the  compensation paid by the Company to  its
President  (who serves as its chief executive  officer) and to each of its other
most highly  compensated  executive officers  whose  salary and  bonus  exceeded
$100,000 in fiscal 1996.
 
                                       42
<PAGE>
                           SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                               ANNUAL COMPENSATION
                                                           ---------------------------    ALL OTHER
                                                             SALARY         BONUS        COMPENSATION
        NAME AND PRINCIPAL POSITION            YEAR (1)       ($)            ($)             ($)
- --------------------------------------------  -----------  ----------  ---------------  --------------
<S>                                           <C>          <C>         <C>              <C>
Stephen W. Simons                                   1996   $  250,000  $  1,062,500(2)   $   7,556(3)
 President
 
Paul Turner                                         1996      250,000     1,062,500(2)       7,556(3)
 Vice President of Advanced Research
 
Robert Kaswen                                       1996      105,000       110,000(4)          56
 Executive Vice President
 of Operations
 
Robert Hood                                         1996      132,500             0             33
 Treasurer-Chief Operating Officer
 and Chief Financial Officer (5)
</TABLE>
 
- ------------------------
 
(1) The information provided is for the Company's 1996 fiscal year.
 
(2) Represents the bonus earned for fiscal year 1996 under the Bonus Plan, which
    was paid in fiscal year 1997.
 
(3)  Includes  $7,500 paid  to  each director  of  the Company  pursuant  to the
    Stockholders Agreement.
 
(4) Includes $100,000, which was paid in fiscal year 1997.
 
(5) Mr. Hood resigned  from the Company  on February 16,  1996. Salary does  not
    include severance payments totalling $200,000 made or to be made to Mr. Hood
    in  fiscal  years 1996  and 1997  pursuant to  a severance  agreement, dated
    February 28, 1996,  between Mr.  Hood and the  Company, or  $44,444 paid  in
    consideration of Mr. Hood's release of the Company from certain claims.
 
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS
 
    Each  of  Stephen  W. Simons  and  Paul  Turner entered  into  an employment
agreement with the  Company, dated as  of March 24,  1995 (each, an  "Employment
Agreement").  Each Employment  Agreement was  for an  initial one-year  term and
automatically renews for additional one-year terms, not to exceed four  one-year
renewal terms in total, at the election of Messrs. Simons or Turner, as the case
may be. Each Employment Agreement may be terminated by the Company for cause (as
defined  therein) or by Messrs.  Simons or Turner, as the  case may be, for good
reason (as defined  therein). Pursuant to  his respective Employment  Agreement,
each  of Messrs. Simons  and Turner (i) received  initial payments of $2,820,000
and $1,880,000, respectively,  (ii) receives  an annual salary  of $250,000  and
certain perquisites and (iii) is entitled to receive an annual payment under the
Bonus Plan based upon the Company's operating results up to a maximum payment of
$1.5  million for any one fiscal year during the period commencing April 1, 1995
and ending March 31, 2000, but not  to exceed an aggregate of $5 million  during
such period. Each of Messrs. Simons and Turner earned approximately $1.1 million
pursuant to the Bonus Plan for the 1996 fiscal year.
 
    Effective  simultaneously  with the  closing  of the  Offering,  the Company
intends to enter into  amended and restated employment  agreements with each  of
Messrs.  Simons  and  Turner  (each, an  "Amended  Employment  Agreement"). Each
Amended Employment Agreement  will be  substantially similar  to the  Employment
Agreements,  except that pursuant to the Amended Employment Agreements the Bonus
Plan will be terminated and, in  consideration thereof, the Company will pay  to
each  of  Messrs. Simons  and Turner  approximately  $3.7 million.  Each Amended
Employment Agreement will  also provide  that, for each  fiscal year  commencing
April  1, 1996  during the  term of  the Amended  Employment Agreement  in which
Messrs. Simons  or Turner,  as the  case may  be, has  been an  employee of  the
Company for the entire fiscal year, the
 
                                       43
<PAGE>
Company  will pay to Messrs. Simons  or Turner a cash bonus  of an amount not to
exceed 100% and 50%, respectively, of his annual salary based upon an evaluation
of his  duties and,  in the  case of  Mr. Simons,  upon the  performance of  the
Company during such fiscal year.
 
1996 STOCK PLAN
 
    In   May  1996,  Holdings'   Board  of  Directors   adopted,  and  Holdings'
stockholders approved, the Stock Plan and, in September 1996, Holdings' Board of
Directors adopted, and Holdings'  stockholders approved, amendments thereto.  In
connection  with the Merger, the Board of  Directors of the Company approved the
assumption by the Company of Holdings' obligations under the Stock Plan and  the
conversion  of each option to  purchase shares of Holdings  Common Stock into an
option to purchase 88.2  shares of Common  Stock of the  Company at an  exercise
price determined by dividing the exercise price of such existing option by 88.2.
 
    The  Stock  Plan will  be administered  by  the Compensation  Committee (the
"Committee") of the  Board of Directors  of the Company  upon the  establishment
thereof. See "Board of Directors."
 
    The  Stock Plan  provides for  the issuance  of up  to a  maximum of 979,020
shares of  Common Stock  pursuant to  awards under  the Stock  Plan, subject  to
adjustment  to protect against dilution  in the event of  certain changes in the
Company's capitalization. The Stock Plan provides for the granting of "incentive
stock options" within the meaning of section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code of
1986, as amended,  options not intended  to qualify as  incentive stock  options
("nonstatutory  stock  options") and  rights  to purchase  Common  Stock ("stock
purchase rights" and,  together with  incentive stock  options and  nonstatutory
stock  options, "Stock Rights")  to employees and  directors of, and consultants
to, the Company or any parent or subsidiary thereof.
 
    Options are rights to purchase the number  of shares of Common Stock at  the
option price (and upon such other conditions) specified in the applicable option
agreement.  Stock purchase rights (which may be issued alone, in addition to, or
in tandem with other awards under the Stock Plan, or cash awards made outside of
the Stock Plan) entitle the  holder to purchase shares  of Common Stock on  such
terms  and conditions as are  set forth in the Rights  Notice (as defined in the
Stock Plan) and  the stock purchase  agreement provided in  connection with  the
award.  Under the  Stock Plan,  incentive stock options  may be  granted only to
employees of the Company or any  parent or subsidiary thereof, and  nonstatutory
stock  options  and  stock  purchase  rights may  be  granted  to  employees and
directors of,  and consultants  to,  the Company  or  any parent  or  subsidiary
thereof.
 
    The exercise price of options will be determined by the Committee; PROVIDED,
that  (i) an incentive  stock option may  not be granted  with an exercise price
less than the Fair  Market Value (as  defined in the Stock  Plan) of the  Common
Stock  on the date of grant,  (ii) an option granted to  an optionee who, at the
time of such grant, owns  stock possessing more than  10% of the total  combined
voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or any parent, subsidiary or
predecessor  of the Company may not have an exercise price less than 110% of the
Fair Market Value  of the  Common Stock  as of  the date  of grant  and (iii)  a
nonstatutory  stock option may not  be granted with an  exercise price less than
85% of the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock on the date of grant. The Stock
Plan provides that the form  of consideration to be paid  for the shares of  the
Common  Stock to be  issued upon exercise  of options will  be determined by the
Committee, and may consist of cash or a surrender of shares of the Common  Stock
having  a Fair  Market Value with  an aggregate  value on the  date of surrender
equal to  the purchase  price of  the shares  as to  which such  option will  be
exercised,  a  combination thereof  or such  other  consideration and  method of
payment for  the  issuance of  shares  of Common  Stock  as is  permitted  under
applicable  law. The Stock Plan also provides that the value of shares of Common
Stock surrendered to effect  a purchase will  be the Fair  Market Value of  such
shares, and requires that such shares be held by the optionee for a period of at
least six months prior to surrender.
 
    Unless  otherwise provided in the option  agreement, each option will become
exercisable for 20% of the total number of shares of the Common Stock subject to
such option each year. All options expire no more than ten years after the  date
of  grant, other than those incentive stock  options granted to an optionee who,
at the time of such grant, owns  stock representing more than 10% of the  voting
power  of  all classes  of  stock of  the Company  or  any parent  or subsidiary
thereof, which will expire no more than  five years from the date of grant.  The
Committee  may at any time offer to  buy a Stock Right previously granted, based
on such terms
 
                                       44
<PAGE>
and conditions as the  Committee establishes and  communicates to the  optionee.
Unless  the  Committee  grants Stock  Rights  that are  transferable,  or amends
outstanding Stock Rights so that they become transferable, Stock Rights may  not
be  sold, pledged, assigned, hypothecated, transferred, gifted or disposed of in
any manner other than by will or by the laws of descent or distribution and  may
be  exercised during the life  of the optionee only  by such optionee. The Stock
Plan also provides that if requested by the Company or any representative of the
underwriters in connection  with the  first two registration  statements of  the
Company  to become effective under the Securities Act that include securities to
be sold on behalf of the Company to the public in underwritten public offerings,
holders of  Stock Rights  may not  exercise Stock  Rights or  sell or  otherwise
transfer  the shares acquired  upon exercise of Stock  Rights during the 180-day
periods following the effective date of such registration statements.
 
    The Stock Plan provides that in the event of (i) a reorganization, merger or
consolidation of the Company with one or more corporations, as a result of which
the  Company  is  not  the  surviving  corporation,  (ii)  a  sale  of  all   or
substantially  all of the assets of the  Company to another corporation, (iii) a
transaction (or a series of related transactions) in which there is a change  in
the  beneficial ownership, directly or indirectly,  of securities of the Company
representing 50% or more of the combined voting power or value of the  Company's
then outstanding equity securities or (iv) the dissolution or liquidation of the
Company,  the  Stock  Plan  and any  Stock  Rights  outstanding  thereunder will
terminate unless provision is made in  connection with such transaction for  the
(a) assumption of such Stock Rights or (b) substitution for such Stock Rights of
new  incentive awards covering the stock of a successor corporation, or a parent
or subsidiary thereof,  with appropriate adjustments  as to number  and kind  of
shares  and  prices. The  Committee may  also provide,  in any  option agreement
entered into  in connection  with  the Stock  Plan, that  all  or a  portion  of
unvested  options accelerate upon a transaction specified in clause (i) or (iii)
of the  preceding sentence,  subject to  such  terms and  conditions as  may  be
approved by the Committee.
 
    In  addition,  the  Committee  may  at any  time  amend,  alter,  suspend or
discontinue the Stock Plan, but, except as provided in the Stock Plan, any  such
amendment or termination will not adversely affect Stock Rights already granted,
even  if not vested at the date of such amendment or termination, and such Stock
Rights will remain in full  force and effect as if  the Stock Plan had not  been
amended  or  terminated,  unless mutually  agreed  otherwise in  writing  by the
optionee and  the Committee.  The Stock  Plan will  expire in  May 2006,  unless
terminated earlier as described in the preceding paragraph.
 
    In  May 1996, 11 employees were granted  options to purchase an aggregate of
596,320 shares of Common Stock pursuant to the Stock Plan, including a grant  to
Mr.   Kaswen  of  146,853  options.  In  addition,  certain  employees  of,  and
consultants to, the Company have been  granted options to purchase an  aggregate
of  225,000 shares  of Common Stock  pursuant to  the Stock Plan  at the initial
public offering price of  the Common Stock  in the Offering.  None of the  stock
options  granted  under the  Stock  Plan have  been  exercised. No  options were
outstanding as of March 31, 1996.
 
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION
 
    The Company did  not have a  Compensation Committee during  its 1996  fiscal
year.  The Board of Directors determined  officers' compensation during the 1996
fiscal  year.  During  such  fiscal   year,  the  Company  engaged  in   certain
transactions  with certain of its directors and certain entities affiliated with
certain of such directors. See "Certain Transactions."
 
                              CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS
 
    The following  summarizes  various  transactions  between  the  Company  and
certain  of its directors or executive officers or entities affiliated with such
persons. The  Company believes  that each  such transaction  was, and  that  any
future transaction will be, approved in accordance with the DGCL.
 
THE RECAPITALIZATION
 
    On  March  24, 1995,  Holdings  issued shares  of  Holdings Common  Stock as
follows: each of Messrs. Simons and Turner, 25,000 shares; MCIT, 23,810  shares;
and certain persons and entities then affiliated with The Jordan Company, 26,190
shares.  Holdings also issued 3,000 shares of  Series A Preferred Stock to MCIT.
 
                                       45
<PAGE>
In addition, Holdings  issued shares  of Series  B Preferred  Stock as  follows:
Stephen  Simons, 1,200 shares; Stephen and  Debra Simons, 1,200 shares; and Paul
Turner, 1,600 shares. Holdings also issued $6 million aggregate principal amount
of the Junior Notes to Stephen and Debra Simons and Paul Turner and $11  million
aggregate   principal   amount  of   the  Senior   Notes   to  MCIT.   See  "The
Recapitalization and the Merger."
 
    CONSULTING AGREEMENT.    On March  24,  1995,  the Company  entered  into  a
management consulting agreement (the "Consulting Agreement") with TJC Management
Corporation  ("TJCMC"), an  affiliate of The  Jordan Company,  pursuant to which
TJCMC was retained to render consulting services to the Company. Pursuant to the
Consulting Agreement, TJCMC is entitled to (i) a quarterly fee of $62,500;  (ii)
an  investment banking and sponsorship fee  of 2% of the aggregate consideration
paid (including non-competition  and similar  payments, but  net of  transaction
expenses)  in connection  with an initial  public offering of  Common Stock, the
sale of all or substantially all of the Common Stock or substantially all of the
assets of the Company to a company  other than an affiliate, or the purchase  by
the  Company of all the  equity or substantially all of  the assets of a company
(other than an affiliate),  and (iii) a  financial consulting fee  of 1% of  the
amount  obtained or made  available pursuant to any  financing. The fees payable
under clauses (ii) and (iii) of the preceding sentence are payable with  respect
to  a transaction  only if  TJCMC is retained  to render  services in connection
therewith. Pursuant to the  Consulting Agreement, TJCMC received  a fee of  $1.0
million   in   March  1995   in  connection   with   the  consummation   of  the
Recapitalization. The Board of Directors of the Company has agreed to pay  TJCMC
a  fee of $1.0  million in connection  with the consummation  of the Offering in
lieu of any fees payable under clause (ii) above. The Consulting Agreement  also
provides that if TJCMC renders services outside the ordinary course of business,
TJCMC  is entitled to an additional amount  equal to the value of such services.
Also pursuant to the Consulting Agreement,  TJCMC and certain of its  affiliates
are  indemnified from certain liabilities related to services performed pursuant
to the Consulting Agreement and TJCMC is entitled to reimbursement of reasonable
out-of-pocket expenses. The term of the Consulting Agreement generally continues
until April 1, 2000.
 
    NONCOMPETITION AGREEMENTS.  Each  of Stephen Simons,  Debra Simons and  Paul
Turner  has  entered  into a  noncompetition  agreement, dated  March  24, 1995,
pursuant to which each such person agreed, among other things, that until  March
24, 1998 he or she will not directly or indirectly engage in, assist or have any
active  interest in a business located  anywhere in the contiguous United States
that (i) competes with the Company or (ii) sells to, supplies, provides goods or
services to, purchases  from or does  business in any  manner with the  Company.
Each such person also agreed that until three years from and after the date such
person  ceases to  be employed by  the Company, he  or she will  not directly or
indirectly (a) divert or  attempt to divert from  the Company any business  with
any  customer or account  with which he  or she had  any contact or association,
which was under his or her supervision, or the identity of which was learned  by
him  or her as a result  of his or her employment  with the Company, (b) solicit
any person transacting business with  the Company to terminate its  relationship
or association with the Company, or to represent, distribute or sell services or
products  in competition with  the services or  products of the  Company, or (c)
solicit any employee of the Company to leave its employ. Mrs. Simons resigned as
an officer of the Company  on August 1, 1995  and, therefore, the provisions  of
the  preceding sentence will  terminate on August  1, 1998 with  respect to Mrs.
Simons.
 
    EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS.  Each of Stephen  Simons and Paul Turner has  entered
into  an  Employment Agreement,  which  is described  in "Management--Employment
Agreements."
 
    STOCKHOLDERS AGREEMENT.
 
    VOTING AND RESTRICTIONS  ON TRANSFER.   The Company,  Stephen Simons,  Debra
Simons,  Paul Turner, MCIT and certain  persons and entities affiliated with The
Jordan Company (collectively,  the "Stockholder  Parties") have  entered into  a
subscription and stockholders agreement, dated March 24, 1995 (the "Stockholders
Agreement"),  pursuant to which each Stockholder Party agreed to vote all shares
of Common Stock owned by such Stockholder Party to maintain a Board of Directors
consisting of four members, two nominated  by Messrs. Simons and Turner and  two
nominated by the Stockholder Parties other than
 
                                       46
<PAGE>
Messrs.  Simons and  Turner and  Debra Simons.  The Stockholders  Agreement also
imposes certain restrictions on  transferability of the  shares of Common  Stock
owned  by the  Stockholder Parties. Such  voting provisions  and restrictions on
transfer will terminate upon the consummation of the Offering.
 
    REGISTRATION RIGHTS.  The Stockholders Agreement also provides MCIT with the
right, subject to certain exceptions, to include its shares of Common Stock in a
registration statement proposed to  be filed by the  Company in connection  with
any  public offering. MCIT has agreed to waive such right in connection with the
Offering and such provision will terminate upon the consummation thereof.
 
    Also  pursuant  to  the  Stockholders  Agreement,  at  any  time  after  the
consummation of the Offering (i) if either Messrs. Simons or Turner is no longer
employed  by the  Company, any  Stockholder Party  holding at  least 10%  of the
outstanding shares of  the Common Stock  has the right  (a "demand  registration
right")  to cause the Company  to register its shares  of the Common Stock under
the Securities  Act, subject  to certain  exceptions, and  (ii) the  Stockholder
Parties  have the  right (an  "incidental registration  right") with  respect to
8,820,000 shares of Common Stock, if the Company proposes to register any shares
of the Common Stock under the Securities Act for sale to the public (other  than
pursuant  to a  registration statement  on Forms  S-4 or  S-8, or  any successor
forms), to require  the Company to  use its  best efforts to  cause a  requested
amount  of  their shares  of Common  Stock  to be  covered by  such registration
statement, subject to reduction pursuant to a specified formula if the  managing
underwriter  determines that such inclusion would adversely affect the marketing
of the  shares of  Common Stock  to  be sold  by the  Company. Pursuant  to  the
Stockholders Agreement, the Company is required to pay all registration expenses
in  connection with  each demand and  incidental registration and  has agreed to
indemnify the Stockholder Parties against, and provide contribution with respect
to, certain liabilities under the Securities Act.
 
    Effective simultaneously  with  the closing  of  the Offering,  the  Company
intends  to  enter into  a  Registration Rights  Agreement  with certain  of the
Stockholder Parties, which will replace and supersede the Stockholders Agreement
(the "Registration  Rights  Agreement").  Pursuant to  the  Registration  Rights
Agreement,  the  Stockholder Parties  will  have demand  registration  rights to
require the  Company  to  register the  number  of  shares requested  to  be  so
registered  until such time as  such shares of Common  Stock (i) are effectively
registered under  the  Securities Act  and  disposed  of in  accordance  with  a
registration  statement covering  such shares, (ii)  are saleable  by the holder
thereof  pursuant  to  Rule  144(k)  under  the  Securities  Act  or  (iii)  are
distributed   for  resale  pursuant  to  Rule   144  under  the  Securities  Act
("Registrable Securities"). The Registration Rights Agreement will also  provide
that,  subject to  certain exceptions,  in no  event will  the number  of demand
registrations exceed two for all holders of Registrable Securities. In addition,
the Registration Rights Agreement will provide that the Stockholder Parties will
have  incidental  registration  rights  if  the  Company  proposes  to  file   a
registration  statement under the Securities Act  with respect to an offering of
Common Stock (other than a registration statement on Form S-4 or Form S-8 or any
successor form thereto or filed solely  in connection with an exchange offer  or
an  offering made solely to employees of  the Company) to require the Company to
include in each such registration all Registrable Securities as each Stockholder
Party may  request in  accordance  with the  terms  of the  Registration  Rights
Agreement.   In  the  event   of  any  registration   effected  thereunder,  the
Registration Rights Agreement will contain certain customary provisions relating
to holdback and indemnification arrangements. The Registration Rights  Agreement
will  also  provide  that  all  reasonable fees  and  expenses  incident  to the
performance thereof or compliance therewith by the Company will be borne by  the
Company.
 
    The  Stockholder Parties  have agreed to  waive their  demand and incidental
registration rights for a period of 180 days after the date of this  Prospectus.
See "Principal and Selling Stockholders" and "Shares Eligible for Future Sale."
 
    MCIT  PLEDGE AGREEMENT.   Holdings and MCIT entered  into a pledge agreement
(the "MCIT Pledge  Agreement") pursuant to  which Holdings pledged  to MCIT,  as
agent for all holders of the Senior Notes, a continuing security interest in and
to  all issued and outstanding shares of capital stock of Acquisition, including
all payments and rights with respect thereto and all proceeds thereof. The  MCIT
Pledge  Agreement will be terminated upon the repayment of the Senior Notes. See
"Use of Proceeds."
 
                                       47
<PAGE>
OTHER
 
    Simons & Susslin, Inc. ("Susslin") entered into a consultant agreement  (the
"Susslin  Agreement") with Stephen Simons on January 1, 1994. In March 1994, Mr.
Simons sold his entire ownership interest in Susslin, which equalled 50% of  its
common   stock,  to  the  other   stockholder  thereof.  The  Company  purchased
approximately $3.6 million,  $3.1 million  and $8.5 million  of components  from
Susslin  in fiscal years 1993, 1994  and 1996, respectively. Management believes
that purchases from Susslin  during the 1997 fiscal  year will be  substantially
less  than those  during the  1996 fiscal  year. Mr.  Simons provides consulting
services to Susslin pursuant  to the Susslin Agreement  for business, sales  and
marketing  activities, in consideration  of which Susslin pays  Mr. Simons a fee
equal to 3% of Susslin's net  sales (as defined therein). The Susslin  Agreement
terminates  on December 31, 2002; PROVIDED,  that the Susslin Agreement (i) will
be automatically renewed for two years, if the total of all consulting fees paid
to Mr. Simons  pursuant to  the Susslin Agreement  are less  than $1,000,000  on
December  31,  2002, (ii)  will automatically  terminate when  the total  of all
consulting fees  paid to  Mr. Simons  pursuant to  the Susslin  Agreement  equal
$1,700,000  and (iii) may be terminated by Mr.  Simons at any time upon 30 days'
written notice. As of June 30, 1996, Susslin had paid to Mr. Simons an aggregate
of $579,238 pursuant to the Susslin Agreement.
 
    At the end of each of fiscal 1993 and fiscal 1994, the Company paid  bonuses
to  members of  senior management.  In order  to preserve  cash flow,  each such
member of senior management who was also a stockholder of the Company loaned the
bonus amount back to the Company. The  Company repaid each loan during the  next
fiscal year. No amounts remain outstanding from any of these loans.
 
    On November 10, 1995, Peter Turner, the brother of Paul Turner, entered into
an employment agreement with the Company (the "Peter Turner Agreement") pursuant
to  which Peter  Turner serves as  the Company's manager  of product development
engineering. Immediately prior to joining the Company, Peter Turner was employed
as Senior Engineer and Manufacturing Manager at Cobe Cardiovascular, Inc.  based
in  Arvada, Colorado. The  Peter Turner Agreement provides  that Peter Turner is
entitled to receive, among other things, (i)  a salary of $110,000 per year  for
the  first two years of his employment, after which time he will be eligible for
his first compensation review, and a cost  of living adjustment for each of  the
first  three  years  of his  employment  with  the Company,  (ii)  the  right to
participate in an  annual bonus  program and receive  a guaranteed  bonus of  at
least  $30,000 on December  31, 1996 for  the first year  of employment with the
Company, (iii)  a  one-time relocation  allowance  of $25,000,  (iv)  a  secured
interest-free  bridge loan in the principal amount of $150,000, which was repaid
to the Company in January  1996 upon the sale  of Peter Turner's Colorado  home,
and  (v) mortgage  assistance in the  amount of $1,600  per month for  up to six
months.
 
    In November 1993, Christine Feeter, the former wife of Paul Turner, resigned
as Vice  President-Marketing  of  the  Company  and,  in  connection  therewith,
received as severance $100,000 and the continuation of health insurance coverage
for  one year. In March 1995, the Company and Ms. Feeter entered into agreements
pursuant to which,  among other things,  Ms. Feeter received  $310,000 from  the
Company  in consideration  of her  release of  the Company  from certain claims.
Immediately prior to the Recapitalization, Ms. Feeter sold her entire  ownership
interest in the Company to Paul Turner.
 
    For  certain  additional related  transactions,  see "Use  of  Proceeds" and
"Management."
 
                                       48
<PAGE>
                       PRINCIPAL AND SELLING STOCKHOLDERS
 
    The following table sets forth certain information regarding the  beneficial
ownership  of Common  Stock as  of September  16, 1996  and as  adjusted to give
effect to the Offering by  (i) each beneficial owner of  more than 5% of  Common
Stock,  (ii)  each  of the  Company's  directors,  (iii) each  of  the Company's
executive   officers   named   in   the   table   under   "Management--Executive
Compensation,"  (iv) all  directors and executive  officers of the  Company as a
group and  (v) each  Selling  Stockholder. Except  as otherwise  indicated,  the
Company  believes that the  beneficial owners of the  Common Stock listed below,
based on information furnished by such  owners, have sole investment and  voting
power  with respect  of such  shares, subject  to community  property laws where
applicable.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                     SHARES BENEFICIALLY     SHARES BENEFICIALLY
                                                                        OWNED PRIOR TO           OWNED AFTER
                                                                       THE OFFERING (1)        THE OFFERING (1)
                                                                    ----------------------  ----------------------
                               NAME                                   NUMBER     PERCENT      NUMBER     PERCENT
                              ------                                ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
<S>                                                                 <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>
Stephen W. Simons (2).............................................   2,205,000        25.0   2,205,000        16.2
Paul Turner (3)...................................................   2,205,000        25.0   2,205,000        16.2
John W. Jordan II (4).............................................     327,308         3.7     327,308         2.4
Adam E. Max (5)...................................................     210,004         2.4     210,004         1.5
Robert Kaswen (6).................................................      29,370      *           29,370      *
MCIT PLC (7)......................................................   2,100,042        23.8   2,100,042        15.4
Leucadia Investors, Inc. (8)......................................     525,010         6.0     525,010         3.9
All directors and executive officers as a group (6 persons) (9)...   4,991,376        56.3   4,991,376        36.5
</TABLE>
 
- ------------------------
*   Less than 1%.
 
(1) Gives  effect to  the Merger,  which  will occur  immediately prior  to  the
    closing of the Offering. See "The Recapitalization and the Merger."
 
(2)  Includes 1,757,306 shares held by The  Simons Revocable Trust, of which Mr.
    Simons and  Debra Simons,  Mr.  Simons' wife,  are trustees.  Also  includes
    213,003  shares held by each of the Debra W. Simons Grantor Retained Annuity
    Trust and the Stephen W. Simons Grantor Retained Annuity Trust, of which  in
    each case Mr. and Mrs. Simons are two of four trustees. Also includes 21,688
    shares  held by The Simons Children Irrevocable Trusts, of which Mrs. Simons
    is one  of  three trustees  and  as to  which  shares Mr.  Simons  disclaims
    beneficial   ownership.  If  the   Underwriters'  over-allotment  option  is
    exercised in full,  each of  the Debra  W. Simons  Grantor Retained  Annuity
    Trust  and  the  Stephen  W.  Simons  Grantor  Retained  Annuity  Trust will
    beneficially own 123,003 shares of the Common Stock, or approximately .9% of
    the total  number  of shares  of  the  Common Stock  outstanding  after  the
    Offering,  and Mr.  Simons will beneficially  own an  aggregate of 2,025,000
    shares of the Common  Stock, or approximately 14.9%  of the total number  of
    shares of the Common Stock outstanding after the Offering.
 
(3)  Includes  551,250  shares held  by  Turner  Family LP,  a  Colorado limited
    partnership (the  "Turner  Partnership"). Mr.  Turner  is the  sole  general
    partner  of the Turner Partnership,  and a trust, the  trustees of which are
    persons other than  Mr. Turner and  the beneficiaries of  which are  certain
    family  members of  Mr. Turner,  is the sole  limited partner  of the Turner
    Partnership holding a  40% interest  in the Turner  Partnership. Mr.  Turner
    disclaims  beneficial  ownership  of  the  220,500  shares  representing the
    trust's  interest   in  the   Turner  Partnership.   If  the   Underwriters'
    over-allotment  option  is exercised  in full,  the Turner  Partnership will
    beneficially own 371,250 shares of  the Common Stock, or approximately  2.7%
    of  the total  number of  shares of the  Common Stock  outstanding after the
    Offering, and Mr.  Turner will  beneficially own an  aggregate of  2,025,000
    shares  of the Common Stock,  or approximately 14.9% of  the total number of
    shares of the Common Stock outstanding after the Offering.
 
(4) Includes 327,308 shares held  by the John W.  Jordan II Revocable Trust,  of
    which  Mr. Jordan is trustee. Excludes  2,100,042 shares held by MCIT, which
    is advised by  JZAI, an entity  controlled by Mr.  Jordan and certain  other
    persons. Mr. Jordan is a partner of The Jordan Company, an entity with which
 
                                       49
<PAGE>
    Mr.  Max and Leucadia  Investors, Inc. ("Leucadia"),  a New York corporation
    and  a  wholly  owned  subsidiary  of  Leucadia  National  Corp.,  are  also
    affiliated.  Mr. Jordan's  address is  c/o The  Jordan Company,  9 West 57th
    Street, New York, New York 10019.
 
(5) Mr. Max  is a  principal of  The Jordan Company,  an entity  with which  Mr.
    Jordan and Leucadia are also affiliated. Mr. Max's address is c/o The Jordan
    Company, 9 West 57th Street, New York, New York 10019.
 
(6)  Includes 29,370 shares  with respect to  which Mr. Kaswen  has the right to
    acquire beneficial  ownership  by  virtue  of  currently  exercisable  stock
    options  and options  that become exercisable  within 60 days  of August 30,
    1996.
 
(7) If the Underwriters' over-allotment option  is exercised in full, MCIT  will
    beneficially  own  1,740,042 shares  of the  Common Stock,  or approximately
    12.8% of the total  number of shares of  the Common Stock outstanding  after
    the  Offering. MCIT is advised  by JZAI, an entity  controlled by Mr. Jordan
    and  certain  other  persons.   The  principal  address   of  MCIT  is   c/o
    Jordan/Zalaznick  Advisers, Inc.,  9 West  57th Street,  New York,  New York
    10019.
 
(8) Leucadia is an affiliate of The Jordan Company, an entity with which Messrs.
    Jordan and Max are also affiliated. The principal address of Leucadia is 315
    Park Avenue South, New York, New York 10010.
 
(9) Includes 44,064  shares with respect  to which all  directors and  executive
    officers  have  the  right  to acquire  beneficial  ownership  by  virtue of
    currently exercisable  stock options  and  options that  become  exercisable
    within  60 days of  September 16, 1996.  If the Underwriters' over-allotment
    option is  exercised in  full,  all directors  and executive  officers  will
    beneficially  own an aggregate  of 4,631,376 shares of  the Common Stock, or
    approximately 33.9%  of the  total  number of  shares  of the  Common  Stock
    outstanding after the Offering.
 
SELLING STOCKHOLDERS EXERCISE OF OVER-ALLOTMENT OPTION
 
    If the Underwriters' over-allotment option is exercised in full, the Selling
Stockholders will be selling an aggregate of 720,000 shares of Common Stock. The
number  of shares being sold, and, if  sold, the number of shares and percentage
of outstanding shares beneficially  owned after the  Offering, by the  following
entities  will be as follows: MCIT--360,000  shares to be sold, 1,740,042 shares
(approximately 12.8%) beneficially owned after  the Offering; each of the  Debra
W.  Simons  Grantor Retained  Annuity Trust  and the  Stephen W.  Simons Grantor
Retained Annuity Trust--90,000 shares to be sold, 123,003 shares  (approximately
 .9%)  beneficially owned after the Offering; and the Turner Partnership--180,000
shares to be sold, 371,250 shares (approximately 2.7%) beneficially owned  after
the  Offering. If all  such shares are  sold, each of  Messrs. Simons and Turner
will beneficially own  2,025,000 shares  of the Common  Stock, or  approximately
14.9%  of the total number  of shares of the  Common Stock outstanding after the
Offering. See  the  "Principal  and Selling  Stockholders"  table  above,  which
indicates  the number of shares beneficially  owned by each of these individuals
and   entities   after   the   Merger   and   prior   to   the   Offering,   and
"Management--Directors,  Executive  Officers  and  Key  Employees"  and "Certain
Transactions," which indicate  certain relationships  between these  individuals
and entities and the Company.
 
                          DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK
 
    The  following description of  the capital stock of  the Company and certain
provisions of the  Company's Amended and  Restated Certificate of  Incorporation
(the  "Certificate") and Amended and Restated Bylaws (the "Bylaws") is a summary
and is qualified in its  entirety by the provisions  of the Certificate and  the
Bylaws, forms of which have been filed as exhibits to the Company's Registration
Statement of which this Prospectus is a part.
 
COMMON STOCK
 
    The  authorized capital stock  of the Company  includes 50,000,000 shares of
Common Stock,  par value  $.01 per  share, of  which 13,620,000  shares will  be
outstanding  upon the consummation of the  Offering. Holders of Common Stock are
entitled to one vote for each share held  on all matters submitted to a vote  of
 
                                       50
<PAGE>
the  stockholders, including the election of directors. The Certificate does not
provide for cumulative voting in the election of directors. Accordingly, holders
of a majority  of shares of  Common Stock entitled  to vote in  any election  of
directors  may  elect all  of  the directors  standing  for election.  See "Risk
Factors--Concentration  of  Ownership."  Subject  to  preferences  that  may  be
applicable  to any  Preferred Stock outstanding  at the time,  holders of Common
Stock are entitled to receive ratably such dividends, if any, as may be declared
from time to  time by  the Board  of Directors  out of  funds legally  available
therefor.  See "Dividend Policy." In the  event of a liquidation, dissolution or
winding up of the Company, holders of Common Stock are entitled to share ratably
in  all  assets  of  the  Company  remaining  after  payment  of  the  Company's
liabilities and the liquidation preference, if any, of any outstanding shares of
Preferred  Stock. Holders  of Common Stock  have no  preemptive, subscription or
redemption rights. As of the date hereof, the Common Stock is held of record  by
approximately  20 stockholders.  The transfer agent  with respect  to the Common
Stock is American Stock Transfer & Trust Company.
 
PREFERRED STOCK
 
    Pursuant to the Certificate, the  Company is authorized to issue  10,000,000
shares  of Preferred Stock, which may be issued from time to time in one or more
classes or  series  or  both  upon  authorization  by  the  Company's  Board  of
Directors. The Board of Directors, without further approval of the stockholders,
is  authorized to fix  the dividend rights and  terms, conversion rights, voting
rights, redemption  rights and  terms, liquidation  preferences, and  any  other
rights,  preferences, privileges  and restrictions  applicable to  each class or
series of the Preferred Stock. The issuance of Preferred Stock, while  providing
flexibility  in  connection  with  possible  acquisitions  and  other  corporate
purposes, could, among other  things, adversely affect the  voting power of  the
holders of Common Stock and, under certain circumstances, make it more difficult
for  a third party  to gain control  of the Company,  discourage bids for Common
Stock at a  premium or  otherwise adversely affect  the market  price of  Common
Stock. The Company is not aware of any plans by a third party to seek control of
the Company.
 
    Upon  the  redemption  of  the  Holdings  Preferred  Stock,  which  will  be
substantially concurrent  with the  completion  of the  Offering, no  shares  of
Preferred  Stock will  be outstanding  and the Company  has no  current plans to
issue any shares of Preferred Stock. See "Use of Proceeds."
 
DELAWARE LAW
 
    Upon the consummation of this Offering,  the Company will be subject to  the
provisions  of Section  203 of  the DGCL. In  general, this  statute prohibits a
publicly held Delaware corporation from engaging under certain circumstances  in
a "business combination" (as defined below) with an "interested stockholder" (as
defined  below) for a period of three years after the date of the transaction in
which such stockholder became an interested stockholder, unless (i) prior to the
date at which  the stockholder  became an  interested stockholder  the Board  of
Directors  approved  either the  business combination  or the  transaction which
resulted in the person becoming an interested stockholder, (ii) the  stockholder
owned  more  than  85%  of  the  outstanding  voting  stock  of  the corporation
(excluding shares held by directors who are officers or held in certain employee
stock plans)  upon  consummation  of  the  transaction  which  resulted  in  the
stockholder   becoming  an   interested  stockholder,  or   (iii)  the  business
combination is  approved by  the Board  of Directors  and by  two-thirds of  the
outstanding  voting  stock  of the  corporation  (excluding shares  held  by the
interested stockholder)  at  a  meeting  of stockholders  (and  not  by  written
consent)  held on  or subsequent  to the  date of  the business  combination. An
"interested  stockholder"  is  a  person  who  (a)  owns  15%  or  more  of  the
corporation's  voting  stock  or  (b)  is  an  affiliate  or  associate  of  the
corporation and was the owner of 15% or more of the outstanding voting stock  of
the  corporation at any time within the prior three years. Section 203 defines a
"business combination" to include, without limitation, mergers,  consolidations,
stock  sales and asset based transactions  and other transactions resulting in a
financial benefit to the interested stockholder.
 
                        SHARES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE
 
    Upon  completion  of  the  Offering,  the  Company  will  have   outstanding
13,620,000  shares  of Common  Stock assuming  no stock  options will  have been
exercised. Of these  shares, all of  the 4,800,000 shares  sold in the  Offering
will  be freely transferable by persons  other than "affiliates" of the Company,
without restriction
 
                                       51
<PAGE>
or further registration under the Securities Act. The remaining 8,820,000 shares
of Common Stock will be "restricted  securities" within the meaning of Rule  144
under  the Securities  Act and may  not be  sold in the  absence of registration
under the Securities  Act unless  an exemption from  registration is  available,
including  the exemptions contained in Rule  144 or 701. The Stockholder Parties
will have  rights to  demand or  participate in  future registration  shares  of
Common Stock under the Securities Act initially with respect to 8,820,000 shares
of Common Stock. See "Certain Transactions--The Recapitalization."
 
    In  general, under Rule  144, as currently  in effect, a  person (or persons
whose shares are aggregated) who has beneficially owned his or her shares for at
least two  years, including  an "affiliate"  of  the Company  (as that  term  is
defined  under the Securities Act), is  entitled to sell, within any three-month
period, that number of shares that does not exceed the greater of (i) 1% of  the
then  outstanding  shares of  Common Stock  or (ii)  the average  weekly trading
volume of the then outstanding shares  during the four calendar weeks  preceding
each  such sale. A  person (or persons  whose shares are  aggregated) who is not
deemed an "affiliate" of the Company  and who has beneficially owned shares  for
at  least three  years is entitled  to sell  such shares under  Rule 144 without
regard to the volume limitations described above. Affiliates, including  members
of  the Board of Directors and senior management, continue to be subject to such
limitations.
 
    Subject to  certain  limitations  on  the  aggregate  offering  price  of  a
transaction  and other conditions, Rule  701 may be relied  upon with respect to
the resale of securities originally purchased from the Company by its employees,
directors, officers, consultants or advisors before the date the Company becomes
subject to the reporting requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended, pursuant to  written compensatory  benefit plans  or written  contracts
relating  to  the  compensation  of  such  persons,  including  the  Stock Plan.
Securities issued  in  reliance  on  Rule 701  are  restricted  securities  and,
beginning  90 days  after the date  of this  Prospectus, may be  sold by persons
other than affiliates subject only to the manner of sale provisions of Rule  144
and  by affiliates under  Rule 144 without compliance  with its two-year minimum
holding period requirements. Such  securities will be  subject, however, to  any
lock-up agreements related to such securities.
 
    The  Company and all stockholders and executive officers of the Company have
agreed, subject to  certain exceptions, not  to sell, offer  to sell, grant  any
option  (other than  pursuant to the  Stock Plan)  for the sale  of or otherwise
dispose of  any  shares  of  Common Stock  or  securities  convertible  into  or
exercisable  or exchangeable for Common Stock  (except for shares offered in the
Offering) for a period of 180 days after the date of this Prospectus without the
prior written consent of Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated. See
"Underwriting."
 
    Prior to the Offering, there has been no public market for the Common Stock.
No predictions can be made as to the effect, if any, that public sales of shares
or the availability of shares for sale will have on the market price  prevailing
from time to time. Nevertheless, sales of substantial amounts of Common Stock in
the public market (including shares issued upon the exercise of options that may
be  granted pursuant to  any employee stock  option or other  equity plan of the
Company), or the perception that such  sales could occur, could have an  adverse
effect  on the  market price. If  such sales  reduce the market  price of Common
Stock, the Company's ability to raise  additional capital in the equity  markets
could  be  adversely affected.  See "Risk  Factors--No  Prior Public  Market and
Possible Volatility of Stock Price" and "--Future Sales of Common Stock;  Shares
Eligible for Future Sale."
 
    The  Company intends to  file a registration  statement under the Securities
Act covering 979,020  shares of Common  Stock available for  issuance under  the
Stock  Plan.  See  "Management--1996 Stock  Plan."  Such  registration statement
relating to the Stock Plan is expected to  be filed soon after the date of  this
Prospectus  and will automatically become effective  upon filing. As of the date
of this Prospectus, 821,320 shares are subject to outstanding options under  the
Stock Plan.
 
                                       52
<PAGE>
                                  UNDERWRITING
 
    Subject  to the terms and conditions set  forth in a purchase agreement (the
"Purchase  Agreement"),  the  Company  has  agreed  to  sell  to  each  of   the
underwriters named below (the "Underwriters"), and each of the Underwriters, for
whom  Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner &  Smith Incorporated, Robertson, Stephens &
Company LLC and  Jefferies & Company,  Inc. are acting  as representatives  (the
"Representatives"),  severally has  agreed to  purchase the  aggregate number of
shares of Common Stock set forth opposite its name below.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                               NUMBER
          UNDERWRITER                                                                        OF SHARES
<S>                                                                                          <C>
Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith
          Incorporated.....................................................................     985,000
Robertson, Stephens & Company LLC..........................................................     985,000
Jefferies & Company, Inc...................................................................     985,000
Alex. Brown & Sons Incorporated............................................................      90,000
Dean Witter Reynolds Inc...................................................................      90,000
A.G. Edwards & Sons, Inc...................................................................      90,000
EVEREN Securities, Inc.....................................................................      90,000
Hambrecht & Quist LLC......................................................................      90,000
Lazard Freres & Co. LLC....................................................................      90,000
Montgomery Securities......................................................................      90,000
Oppenheimer & Co., Inc.....................................................................      90,000
PaineWebber Incorporated...................................................................      90,000
Prudential Securities Incorporated.........................................................      90,000
Salomon Brothers Inc.......................................................................      90,000
Smith Barney Inc...........................................................................      90,000
William Blair & Company, L.L.C.............................................................      45,000
Burnham Securities Inc.....................................................................      45,000
Dain Bosworth Incorporated.................................................................      45,000
Dominick & Dominick, Incorporated..........................................................      45,000
Fahnestock & Co. Inc.......................................................................      45,000
Hanifen, Imhoff Inc........................................................................      45,000
Janney Montgomery Scott Inc................................................................      45,000
Johnson Rice & Company L.L.C...............................................................      45,000
Legg Mason Wood Walker, Incorporated.......................................................      45,000
Needham & Company, Inc.....................................................................      45,000
Prime Charter LTD..........................................................................      45,000
Ragen MacKenzie Incorporated...............................................................      45,000
Rauscher Pierce Refsnes, Inc...............................................................      45,000
Raymond James & Associates, Inc............................................................      45,000
The Robinson-Humphrey Company, Inc.........................................................      45,000
Sutro & Co. Incorporated...................................................................      45,000
Wheat, First Securities, Inc...............................................................      45,000
                                                                                             ----------
          Total............................................................................   4,800,000
                                                                                             ----------
                                                                                             ----------
</TABLE>
 
    In the  Purchase Agreement,  the Underwriters  have agreed,  subject to  the
terms  and conditions set forth therein, to purchase all of the shares of Common
Stock being sold pursuant to such agreement if any of the shares of Common Stock
being  sold   pursuant  to   such  agreement   are  purchased.   Under   certain
circumstances, the commitments of non-defaulting Underwriters may be increased.
 
    The  Representatives have advised the  Company that the Underwriters propose
to offer  the shares  of Common  Stock to  the public  initially at  the  public
offering  price set forth  on the cover  page of this  Prospectus and to certain
dealers at such  price less  a concession  not in excess  of $.63  per share  of
Common
 
                                       53
<PAGE>
Stock,  and that  the Underwriters  may allow, and  such dealers  may reallow, a
discount not in excess  of $.10 per  share of Common Stock  on sales to  certain
other  dealers. After  the initial public  offering, the  public offering price,
concession and discount may be changed.
 
    At the request of the Company, the Underwriters have reserved up to  480,000
shares  of  Common  Stock for  sale  at  the initial  public  offering  price to
directors, officers, employees, business associates  and related persons of  the
Company.  The number of shares of Common Stock available for sale to the general
public will be reduced to the extent such persons purchase such reserved shares.
Any reserved  shares  which  are  not  so  purchased  will  be  offered  by  the
Underwriters to the general public on the same basis as the other shares offered
hereby.
 
    The  Selling  Stockholders have  granted to  the  Underwriters an  option to
purchase up to an  aggregate of 720,000  shares of Common  Stock at the  initial
public  offering price, less the underwriting  discount. Such option, which will
expire 30 days after  the date of  this Prospectus, may  be exercised solely  to
cover over-allotments. To the extent that the Underwriters exercise such option,
each  of  the  Underwriters will  have  a  firm commitment,  subject  to certain
conditions, to purchase approximately the  same percentage of the option  shares
that  the number of shares  to be purchased initially  by that Underwriter is of
the 4,800,000 shares of Common Stock purchased by the Underwriters.
 
    The Company and all stockholders and executive officers of the Company  have
agreed,  subject to certain  exceptions, not to  sell, offer to  sell, grant any
option (other than  pursuant to the  Stock Plan)  for the sale  of or  otherwise
dispose  of  any  shares  of  Common Stock  or  securities  convertible  into or
exercisable or exchangeable for Common Stock  (except for shares offered in  the
Offering) for a period of 180 days after the date of this Prospectus without the
prior written consent of Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated.
 
    Prior  to the Offering,  there has been  no public market  for the shares of
Common Stock. The initial public  offering price was determined by  negotiations
among  the Company, the Selling Stockholders  and the Representatives. Among the
factors considered  in  such  negotiations, in  addition  to  prevailing  market
conditions, were current market valuations of publicly traded companies that the
Company,  the Selling Stockholders and the Underwriters believe to be reasonably
comparable to the Company, an assessment of the Company's results of  operations
in recent periods, estimates of the business potential and earnings prospects of
the  Company, the current state  of the Company's industry  and the economies of
the Company's principal markets  as a whole. The  initial public offering  price
set  forth on the cover of the  Prospectus should not, however, be considered an
indication of the actual  value of the  Common Stock. Such  price is subject  to
change  as a  result of  market conditions  and other  factors. There  can be no
assurance that an  active trading market  will develop for  the Common Stock  or
that the Common Stock will trade in the public market subsequent to the Offering
at  or above the initial public  offering price. See "Risk Factors--Future Sales
of Common Stock; Shares Eligible for Future Sale" and "-- No Prior Public Market
and Possible Volatility of Stock Price." The Common Stock has been approved  for
quotation  on  The  Nasdaq Stock  Market  under  the symbol  "RSHX,"  subject to
commencement of the Offering.
 
    The Underwriters do not intend to confirm sales of the Common Stock  offered
hereby to any accounts over which they exercise discretionary authority.
 
    The  Company  and  the Selling  Stockholders  have agreed  to  indemnify the
several underwriters against  certain liabilities,  including liabilities  under
the  Securities  Act,  or to  contribute  to  payments the  Underwriters  may be
required to make in respect thereof.
 
                                 LEGAL MATTERS
 
    Certain legal matters with respect to the Common Stock have been passed upon
for  the  Company  by  Skadden,  Arps,  Slate,  Meagher  &  Flom,  Los  Angeles,
California,  and have been passed upon for the Underwriters by Latham & Watkins,
San Francisco, California. Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom has from time to
time represented certain of the Underwriters in connection with unrelated  legal
matters.
 
                                       54
<PAGE>
                                    EXPERTS
 
    The consolidated financial statements of RSx Holdings, Inc. and Subsidiaries
as  of  December  31,  1994  and  March  31,  1995  and  1996,  and  the related
consolidated statements of operations,  stockholders' equity (deficit) and  cash
flows  for the years  ended December 31,  1993 and 1994,  the three month period
ended March 31,  1995 and  the year  ended March 31,  1996 that  appear in  this
Prospectus, and the related financial statement schedule that is included in the
Registration   Statement,  have  been  audited  by  Coopers  &  Lybrand  L.L.P.,
independent accountants, as stated in their reports appearing herein and in  the
Registration  Statement, and are  included in reliance upon  the reports of such
firm given upon their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.
 
                             ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
 
    The Company  has  filed  with  the  Securities  and  Exchange  Commission  a
Registration  Statement on Form S-1 under the Securities Act with respect to the
Common Stock  offered  hereby. This  Prospectus  does  not contain  all  of  the
information  set  forth  in  the Registration  Statement  and  the  exhibits and
schedules thereto. For further  information with respect to  the Company or  the
Common  Stock, reference is made to the Registration Statement and the schedules
and exhibits filed as  a part thereof. Statements  contained in this  Prospectus
regarding the contents of any contract or any other document are not necessarily
complete  and, in each  instance, reference is  hereby made to  the copy of such
contract or other document filed as  an exhibit to such Registration  Statement.
The  Registration Statement,  including exhibits  thereto, may  be inspected and
copied at the public reference facilities  maintained by the Commission at  Room
1024,  Judiciary Plaza, 450 Fifth Street,  N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549 and will
be also be available for inspection and  copying at the regional offices of  the
Commission  located at Room 1400, 75 Park Place, New York, New York 10007 and at
Northwest Atrium Center, 500 West Madison Street (Suite 1400), Chicago, Illinois
60661. Copies of such  material may also be  obtained from the Public  Reference
Section  of the Commission at 450 Fifth  Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549 at
prescribed rates. The Commission also maintains a site on the World Wide Web  at
http://www.sec.gov  that contains reports, proxy  and information statements and
other information  regarding  registrants  that  file  electronically  with  the
Commission.
 
    The  Company  intends  to  furnish  its  stockholders  with  annual  reports
containing  financial  statements  audited   by  independent  certified   public
accountants   and   with  quarterly   reports  containing   unaudited  financial
information for each of the first three quarters of each fiscal year.
 
               SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
 
    Certain  statements  contained   or  incorporated  by   reference  in   this
Prospectus,  including,  without  limita-tion, statements  containing  the words
"believes," "anticipates,"  "expects" and  words of  similar import,  constitute
"forward-looking  statements"  within  the  meaning  of  the  Private Securities
Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements involve known and
unknown risks,  uncertainties  and  other  factors that  may  cause  the  actual
results,  performance or achievements of the Company, or industry results, to be
materially different  from  any  future  results,  performance  or  achievements
expressed  or implied by such  forward-looking statements. Such factors include,
among others, the following: international, national and local general  economic
and  market conditions; demographic changes; the  size and growth of the overall
bicycle market or the mountain bike segment thereof; the ability of the  Company
to sustain, manage or forecast its growth; the popularity of mountain biking and
suspension  products; the  size, timing  and mix  of purchases  of the Company's
products;  new  product  development   and  introduction;  existing   government
regulations   and  changes  in,  or  the  failure  to  comply  with,  government
regulations; adverse publicity; dependence on  OEMs; liability and other  claims
asserted  against the Company; competition; the loss of significant customers or
suppliers; fluctuations and difficulty in forecasting operating results; changes
in  business  strategy  or  development  plans;  business  disruptions;  product
recalls;  warranty costs; the ability to attract and retain qualified personnel;
the ability  to protect  technology; ownership  of Common  Stock; volatility  of
stock  price; the use of proceeds from  the Offering; retention of earnings; and
other factors  referenced  in this  Prospectus.  Certain of  these  factors  are
discussed  in  more  detail  elsewhere in  this  Prospectus,  including, without
limitation, under  the captions  "Risk Factors,"  "Use of  Proceeds,"  "Dividend
 
                                       55
<PAGE>
Policy,"  "Capitalization," "Dilution," "Selected Financial Data," "Management's
Discussion and  Analysis  of Financial  Condition  and Results  of  Operations,"
"Business"  and "Principal and Selling Stockholders." GIVEN THESE UNCERTAINTIES,
PROSPECTIVE INVESTORS ARE CAUTIONED NOT TO PLACE UNDUE RELIANCE ON SUCH FORWARD-
LOOKING STATEMENTS.  The Company  disclaims any  obligation to  update any  such
factors  or  to publicly  announce the  result of  any revisions  to any  of the
forward-looking statements  contained or  incorporated  by reference  herein  to
reflect future events or developments.
 
                                       56
<PAGE>
                      RSX HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                 INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND
               PRO FORMA CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AND
                            STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                               PAGE
                                                                                                             ---------
<S>                                                                                                          <C>
Report of Independent Accountants..........................................................................  F-2
Consolidated Financial Statements:
  Consolidated Balance Sheets..............................................................................  F-3
  Consolidated Statements of Operations....................................................................  F-4
  Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity (Deficit)................................................  F-5
  Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows....................................................................  F-6
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.................................................................  F-7
Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet.............................................................  F-21
Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations...................................................  F-22
Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations...................................................  F-23
Notes to Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet and Statements of Operations.......................  F-24
</TABLE>
 
                                      F-1
<PAGE>
                       REPORT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
 
To the Board of Directors and Stockholders
RSx Holdings, Inc. and Subsidiaries:
 
    We  have  audited  the  accompanying  consolidated  balance  sheets  of  RSx
Holdings, Inc. and Subsidiaries as of December  31, 1994 and March 31, 1995  and
1996,  and  the  related consolidated  statements  of  operations, stockholders'
equity (deficit), and cash flows for the years ended December 31, 1993 and 1994,
the three month period ended March 31,  1995 and the year ended March 31,  1996.
These  financial statements are the  responsibility of the Company's management.
Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements  based
on our audits.
 
    We  conducted  our audits  in  accordance with  generally  accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to  obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement.  An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also  includes
assessing  the  accounting principles  used  and significant  estimates  made by
management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement  presentation.
We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
 
    In  our opinion, the financial statements  referred to above present fairly,
in all material respects, the  consolidated financial position of RSx  Holdings,
Inc.  and Subsidiaries as of December 31, 1994  and March 31, 1995 and 1996, and
the consolidated results of their operations and their cash flows for the  years
ended  December 31, 1993 and  1994, the three month  period ended March 31, 1995
and the  year  ended  March  31, 1996  in  conformity  with  generally  accepted
accounting principles.
 
                                          COOPERS & LYBRAND L.L.P.
San Jose, California
May 21, 1996, except for Note 14,
as to which the date is September 25, 1996
 
                                      F-2
<PAGE>
                      RSX HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
                          CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
 
               (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AND PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
 
                                     ASSETS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                       MARCH 31,
                                                    DECEMBER 31,   ------------------
                                                        1994         1995      1996
                                                    ------------   --------  --------   JUNE 30,
                                                                                          1996
                                                                                       -----------
                                                                                       (UNAUDITED)
<S>                                                 <C>            <C>       <C>       <C>
Current assets:
  Cash and cash equivalents.......................    $ 1,208      $  1,310  $  1,808   $  2,914
  Trade accounts receivable, net of allowance for
   doubtful accounts of $16 in 1994, $41 in 1995,
   $1,432 in 1996 and $1,421 at June 30, 1996.....      6,039         5,390     5,571      5,736
  Inventories.....................................      4,059         4,350     8,436      7,762
  Prepaid expenses and other current assets.......        415           483       397        779
  Deferred income taxes...........................        538         1,507     3,805      3,805
                                                    ------------   --------  --------  -----------
    Total current assets..........................     12,259        13,040    20,017     20,996
Property and equipment, net.......................      1,116         1,295     4,313      5,211
Capitalized financing costs, net..................                    3,203     2,513      2,353
Other assets, net.................................        118           141        89        105
                                                    ------------   --------  --------  -----------
      Total assets................................    $13,493      $ 17,679  $ 26,932   $ 28,665
                                                    ------------   --------  --------  -----------
                                                    ------------   --------  --------  -----------
 
                          LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT)
Current liabilities:
  Trade accounts payable..........................    $ 3,908      $  3,069  $  1,769   $  5,590
  Accounts payable to related party...............        418           733       494        254
  Accrued incentive compensation payable to
   officers.......................................     --             --        2,125        750
  Accrued liabilities.............................        940         3,299    10,302      9,230
  Bank line of credit.............................     --             1,250     --        --
  Current portion of notes payable to related
   parties........................................        998           250     --        --
  Current portion of long-term bank debt..........     --             2,500     3,000      3,375
                                                    ------------   --------  --------  -----------
    Total current liabilities.....................      6,264        11,101    17,690     19,199
Deferred income taxes.............................         41         --        --
Long-term bank debt, net of current portion.......     --            27,500    24,500     23,375
Notes payable to related parties, net of current
 portion..........................................     --            17,000    17,000     17,000
                                                    ------------   --------  --------  -----------
    Total liabilities.............................      6,305        55,601    59,190     59,574
                                                    ------------   --------  --------  -----------
Commitments and contingencies (Notes 5 and 8).
Mandatorily redeemable preferred stock issued to
 stockholders, $1.00 par value:
  Authorized: no shares in 1994 and 9,132 shares
   in 1995 and 1996;
  Issued and outstanding: no shares in 1994 and
   7,000 shares in 1995 and 1996; Redemption and
   liquidation value of $7,000 in 1995 and $7,357
   in 1996........................................     --             7,000     7,357      7,449
                                                    ------------   --------  --------  -----------
Common stock, $0.01 par value:
  Authorized: 8,820,000 shares in 1994, 1995 and
   1996
   and 9,799,020 shares at June 30, 1996;
  Issued and outstanding: 8,820,000 shares in
   1994, 1995, 1996 and at June 30, 1996..........          1            88        88         88
Additional paid-in capital........................     --               412       412        412
Distributions in excess of net book value.........     --           (45,422)  (45,422)   (45,422)
Retained earnings.................................      7,187                   5,307      6,564
                                                    ------------   --------  --------  -----------
    Total stockholders' equity (deficit)..........      7,188       (44,922)  (39,615)   (38,358)
                                                    ------------   --------  --------  -----------
      Total liabilities, mandatorily redeemable
       preferred stock and stockholders' equity
       (deficit)..................................    $13,493      $ 17,679  $ 26,932   $ 28,665
                                                    ------------   --------  --------  -----------
                                                    ------------   --------  --------  -----------
</TABLE>
 
  The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial
                                  statements.
 
                                      F-3
<PAGE>
                      RSX HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
                     CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
 
                    (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                       YEAR ENDED       THREE MONTHS      YEAR        THREE MONTHS
                                                      DECEMBER 31,    ENDED MARCH 31,     ENDED      ENDED JUNE 30,
                                                    ----------------  ----------------  MARCH 31,   ----------------
                                                     1993     1994     1994     1995      1996       1995     1996
                                                    -------  -------  -------  -------  ---------   -------  -------
                                                                     (UNAUDITED)                      (UNAUDITED)
<S>                                                 <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>         <C>      <C>
Net sales.........................................  $30,941  $37,900  $ 9,936  $14,279   $83,509    $18,784  $21,378
Cost of sales.....................................   20,113   24,477    6,142    9,590    54,110     12,285   13,733
                                                    -------  -------  -------  -------  ---------   -------  -------
    Gross profit..................................   10,828   13,423    3,794    4,689    29,399      6,499    7,645
                                                    -------  -------  -------  -------  ---------   -------  -------
Selling, general and administrative expense.......    5,098    4,210      887    5,404    11,220      2,634    2,916
Research, development and engineering expense.....    1,536    2,073      405    2,223     3,401        777    1,243
                                                    -------  -------  -------  -------  ---------   -------  -------
                                                      6,634    6,283    1,292    7,627    14,621      3,411    4,159
                                                    -------  -------  -------  -------  ---------   -------  -------
    Income (loss) from operations.................    4,194    7,140    2,502   (2,938)   14,778      3,088    3,486
Interest income...................................       20       15                 7       136      --          49
Interest expense..................................      (36)     (21)      (9)     (58)   (5,786)    (1,484)  (1,341)
                                                    -------  -------  -------  -------  ---------   -------  -------
    Income (loss) before income taxes.............    4,178    7,134    2,493   (2,989)    9,128      1,604    2,194
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes.........    1,521    2,420      845     (653)    3,464        610      845
                                                    -------  -------  -------  -------  ---------   -------  -------
      Net income (loss)...........................  $ 2,657  $ 4,714  $ 1,648  $(2,336)  $ 5,664    $   994  $ 1,349
                                                    -------  -------  -------  -------  ---------   -------  -------
                                                    -------  -------  -------  -------  ---------   -------  -------
Net income (loss).................................  $ 2,657  $ 4,714  $ 1,648  $(2,336)  $ 5,664        994    1,349
Accretion for dividends on mandatorily redeemable
 preferred stock..................................    --       --       --       --          357         94       92
                                                    -------  -------  -------  -------  ---------   -------  -------
Net income (loss) available to common
 stockholders.....................................  $ 2,657  $ 4,714  $ 1,648  $(2,336)  $ 5,307    $   900  $ 1,257
                                                    -------  -------  -------  -------  ---------   -------  -------
                                                    -------  -------  -------  -------  ---------   -------  -------
Net income (loss) per share.......................  $  0.29  $  0.51  $  0.18  $ (0.25)  $  0.57    $  0.10  $  0.14
                                                    -------  -------  -------  -------  ---------   -------  -------
                                                    -------  -------  -------  -------  ---------   -------  -------
Shares used in per share calculations.............    9,240    9,240    9,240    9,240     9,240      9,240    9,240
                                                    -------  -------  -------  -------  ---------   -------  -------
                                                    -------  -------  -------  -------  ---------   -------  -------
</TABLE>
 
  The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial
                                  statements.
 
                                      F-4
<PAGE>
                      RSX HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
           CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT)
 
                                 (IN THOUSANDS)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                        DISTRIBUTIONS
                                           COMMON STOCK    ADDITIONAL   IN EXCESS OF
                                          --------------    PAID-IN       NET BOOK      RETAINED
                                          SHARES  AMOUNT    CAPITAL         VALUE       EARNINGS    TOTAL
                                          ------  ------   ----------   -------------   --------   --------
<S>                                       <C>     <C>      <C>          <C>             <C>        <C>
Balances, January 1, 1993...............   8,820   $ 1       --             --          $   166    $    167
  Dividends declared....................    --     --        --             --              (50)        (50)
  Net income............................    --     --        --             --            2,657       2,657
                                          ------  ------     -----      -------------   --------   --------
Balances, December 31, 1993.............   8,820     1       --             --            2,773       2,774
  Dividends declared....................    --     --        --             --             (300)       (300)
  Net income............................    --     --        --             --            4,714       4,714
                                          ------  ------     -----      -------------   --------   --------
Balances, December 31, 1994.............   8,820     1       --             --            7,187       7,188
  Net loss..............................    --     --        --             --           (2,336)     (2,336)
  Issuance of common stock..............   8,820     1        $499          --            --            500
  Recapitalization and distributions to
   stockholders.........................  (8,820)   86         (87)       $(45,422)      (4,851)    (50,274)
                                          ------  ------     -----      -------------   --------   --------
Balances, March 31, 1995................   8,820    88         412         (45,422)       --        (44,922)
  Accretion for dividends on mandatorily
   redeemable preferred stock...........    --     --        --             --             (357)       (357)
  Net income............................    --     --        --             --            5,664       5,664
                                          ------  ------     -----      -------------   --------   --------
Balances, March 31, 1996................   8,820    88         412         (45,422)       5,307     (39,615)
  Accretion for dividends on mandatorily
   redeemable preferred stock...........    --     --        --             --              (92)        (92)
  Net income............................    --     --        --             --            1,349       1,349
                                          ------  ------     -----      -------------   --------   --------
Balances, June 30, 1996 (unaudited).....   8,820   $88        $412        $(45,422)     $ 6,564    $(38,358)
                                          ------  ------     -----      -------------   --------   --------
                                          ------  ------     -----      -------------   --------   --------
</TABLE>
 
  The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial
                                  statements.
 
                                      F-5
<PAGE>
                      RSX HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
                     CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
 
                                 (IN THOUSANDS)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                      YEAR ENDED           THREE MONTHS         YEAR       THREE MONTHS ENDED
                                                     DECEMBER 31,        ENDED MARCH 31,        ENDED           JUNE 30,
                                                 --------------------  --------------------   MARCH 31,   --------------------
                                                   1993       1994       1994       1995        1996        1995       1996
                                                 ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  -----------  ---------  ---------
                                                                       (UNAUDITED)                            (UNAUDITED)
<S>                                              <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>          <C>        <C>
Cash flows from operating activities:
  Net income (loss)............................  $   2,657  $   4,714  $   1,648  $  (2,336)  $   5,664   $     994  $   1,349
  Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to
   net cash provided by (used in) operating
   activities:
    Depreciation and amortization..............        127        193         34         78       1,746         287        616
    Provision for doubtful accounts............     --         --         --             32       1,518         901     --
    Provision for excess and obsolete
     inventories...............................     --             69     --         --           2,009         920     --
    Deferred income taxes......................        (57)      (388)    --         (1,010)     (2,298)        (41)    --
    Changes in operating assets and
     liabilities:
      Trade accounts receivable................     (1,927)    (2,874)        13        617      (1,699)     (1,179)      (164)
      Inventories..............................     (1,237)      (803)       849       (291)     (6,095)     (1,848)       674
      Prepaid expenses and other current
       assets..................................        (60)      (268)      (490)       (68)         86         238       (382)
      Trade accounts payable and accrued
       liabilities.............................        793      1,738       (484)     1,835       7,589       2,846      1,133
                                                 ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  -----------  ---------  ---------
        Net cash provided by (used in)
         operating activities..................        296      2,381      1,570     (1,143)      8,520       3,118      3,226
                                                 ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  -----------  ---------  ---------
Cash flows from investing activities:
  Purchase of property and equipment...........       (275)      (890)      (135)      (409)     (4,074)       (586)    (1,354)
  Other........................................          2         (1)         1        129          52      --            (16)
                                                 ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  -----------  ---------  ---------
        Net cash used in investing
         activities............................       (273)      (891)      (134)      (280)     (4,022)       (586)    (1,370)
                                                 ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  -----------  ---------  ---------
Cash flows from financing activities:
  Proceeds from issuance of bank debt..........     --         --         --         31,250      --          --         --
  Repayment of short-term borrowings and
   bank debt...................................        (20)    --         --         --          (3,750)     (1,875)      (750)
  Payment of financing costs...................     --         --         --         (3,203)     --          --         --
  Repayment of notes payable to related
   parties.....................................     (1,581)    (1,345)      (170)      (998)       (250)       (250)    --
  Issuance of notes payable to related
   parties.....................................      1,770        998     --         11,250      --          --         --
  Proceeds from issuance of mandatorily
   redeemable preferred stock..................     --         --         --          3,000      --          --         --
  Payment of dividends.........................        (20)      (300)    --         --          --          --         --
  Proceeds from issuance of common stock.......     --         --         --            500      --          --         --
  Distributions related to reorganization......     --         --         --        (40,274)     --          --         --
                                                 ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  -----------  ---------  ---------
        Net cash provided by (used in)
         financing activities..................        149       (647)      (170)     1,525      (4,000)     (2,125)      (750)
                                                 ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  -----------  ---------  ---------
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents......        172        843      1,266        102         498         407      1,106
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of
 period........................................        193        365        365      1,208       1,310       1,310      1,808
                                                 ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  -----------  ---------  ---------
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period.......  $     365  $   1,208  $   1,631  $   1,310   $   1,808   $   1,717  $   2,914
                                                 ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  -----------  ---------  ---------
                                                 ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  -----------  ---------  ---------
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow
 information:
  Income taxes paid............................  $   1,298  $   3,232     --         --       $   4,180   $      25  $   1,292
  Interest paid................................          5         21     --      $      21       4,939         588      1,741
  Dividends declared but not paid..............         30     --         --         --          --          --         --
  Noncash distributions in excess of net book
   value--Mandatorily redeemable preferred
   stock.......................................     --         --         --          4,000      --          --         --
  Noncash distributions in excess of net book
   value--Junior subordinated notes............     --         --         --          6,000      --          --         --
  Accretion for dividends on mandatorily
   redeemable preferred stock..................     --         --         --         --             357          94         92
</TABLE>
 
  The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial
                                  statements.
 
                                      F-6
<PAGE>
                      RSX HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
        (INFORMATION AS OF JUNE 30, 1996 AND FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED
              MARCH 31, 1994, JUNE 30, 1995 AND 1996 IS UNAUDITED)
 
1.  RECAPITALIZATION AND NATURE OF OPERATIONS:
 
    RECAPITALIZATION:
 
    RSx  Holdings, Inc.  (the Company)  was formed  in March  1995 as  a holding
company which  acquired  all of  the  outstanding  shares of  capital  stock  of
RockShox,  Inc., a California corporation (Old  RockShox) and the predecessor of
ROCKSHOX, INC., a Delaware corporation  (RockShox), in a series of  transactions
that  occurred on  March 24, 1995.  On March  24, 1995, the  stockholders of Old
RockShox transferred  all of  the outstanding  shares of  capital stock  of  Old
RockShox  to the  Company and RSx  Acquisition, Inc.  (Acquisition). In exchange
therefor,  the   stockholders  of   Old  RockShox   received  consideration   of
$50,274,000,  which  consisted  of  $39,049,000  of  cash,  $6,000,000 aggregate
principal amount of  junior subordinated  notes payable of  the Company  (junior
notes),  $4,000,000 of non-convertible mandatorily redeemable Series B preferred
stock of the Company (Series B Preferred Stock), 50% of the common stock of  the
Company  and $1,225,000 paid to third parties for fees and expenses on behalf of
the Old RockShox  stockholders. The  Company then  acquired all  of the  capital
stock  of Acquisition and contributed to Acquisition all of the Company's shares
of capital stock of Old RockShox,  whereupon Old RockShox became a wholly  owned
subsidiary  of Acquisition.  Old RockShox was  then merged  into Acquisition and
Acquisition changed its  name to  ROCKSHOX, INC. The  transactions described  in
this paragraph are collectively referred to as the Recapitalization.
 
    As  part of the Recapitalization, MCIT  PLC and certain persons and entities
affiliated with The Jordan Company (Jordan)  purchased the remaining 50% of  the
common  stock of the  Company, $11,000,000 aggregate  principal amount of senior
subordinated notes payable of the Company  (senior notes and, together with  the
junior  notes, subordinated notes) and $3,000,000 of non-convertible mandatorily
redeemable Series A preferred  stock of the Company  (Series A Preferred  Stock)
for  an aggregate purchase price  of approximately $14,500,000. Acquisition also
entered  into  a  $36,000,000  bank  credit  facility  in  connection  with  the
Recapitalization pursuant to which Acquisition borrowed $30,000,000 under a term
loan, and was permitted to borrow up to $6,000,000 under a bank line of credit.
 
    The   transaction  has  been   accounted  for  as   a  recapitalization  and
accordingly, no change in the accounting  basis of Old RockShox assets has  been
made  in  the  accompanying  consolidated financial  statements.  The  amount of
consideration paid and securities issued to the stockholders of Old RockShox  of
$50,274,000  exceeded Old RockShox's net assets of $4,852,000 on the date of the
Recapitalization by $45,422,000. This amount has been recorded within the equity
section as distributions in excess of net book value.
 
    NATURE OF OPERATIONS:
 
    The Company  designs,  manufactures  and markets  high  performance  bicycle
suspension  products. The Company  currently markets ten  front suspension forks
and three  rear shocks  under its  JUDY, INDY,  QUADRA, MAG  and DELUXE  product
lines.  The  Company's  products  are primarily  sold  to  bicycle manufacturers
(OEMs), who  incorporate  ROCKSHOX branded  components  as part  of  new,  fully
assembled  mountain bikes  sold worldwide,  and directly  to independent bicycle
dealers  (IBDs)  and  through  distributors  (together  with  IBDs,  the  retail
accessory  market). For the  years ended December  31, 1993 and  1994, the three
months ended March 31, 1995, the year ended March 31, 1996 and the three  months
ended  June 30, 1996, approximately 63%, 65%, 62%, 68% and 62%, respectively, of
the Company's total net  sales were to  OEMs. For the  years ended December  31,
1993  and 1994, the three months ended March  31, 1995, the year ended March 31,
1996 and the three months ended June 30, 1996, approximately 37%, 35%, 38%,  32%
and  38%, respectively,  of the  Company's total  net sales  were to  the retail
accessory market.
 
                                      F-7
<PAGE>
                      RSX HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
        (INFORMATION AS OF JUNE 30, 1996 AND FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED
              MARCH 31, 1994, JUNE 30, 1995 AND 1996 IS UNAUDITED)
 
2.  SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES:
 
    PRINCIPLES OF CONSOLIDATION:
 
    The consolidated financial  statements include the  accounts of the  Company
and  its wholly  owned subsidiaries.  All intercompany  transactions and amounts
have been eliminated.
 
    FISCAL YEAR END:
 
    Effective March  31, 1995,  the Company  changed its  fiscal year  end  from
December  31 to March 31  to more closely correspond  with the Company's product
model year and business cycle.
 
    USE OF ESTIMATES:
 
    The  preparation  of  financial  statements  in  conformity  with  generally
accepted  accounting  principles  requires  management  to  make  estimates  and
assumptions that affect the reported amounts  of assets and liabilities and  the
disclosure  of contingent  assets and liabilities  at the date  of the financial
statements and  the  reported  amounts  of  revenues  and  expenses  during  the
reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
 
    RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES:
 
    Substantially   all  of   the  Company's   historical  revenues   have  been
attributable to sales of  mountain bike front  suspension forks and,  therefore,
any material decline or prolonged lack of growth in the popularity of, or market
demand  for,  mountain  bike  suspension forks,  in  general,  or  the Company's
products, in particular, could have a material adverse effect on the Company  or
its  prospects.  The markets  for bicycle  components,  in general,  and bicycle
suspension products, in particular, are highly competitive. In order to build or
retain its market share,  the Company must continue  to successfully compete  in
the  areas that influence  the purchasing decisions  of OEMs, distributors, IBDs
and consumers,  including  design,  price,  quality,  technology,  distribution,
marketing, style, brand image and customer service.
 
    The  Company does  not currently  have long-term  contracts with  any of its
vendors, nor does  the Company currently  have multiple vendors  for all  parts,
tooling, supplies or services critical to the Company's manufacturing processes.
Failure of a key supplier to meet the Company's product needs on a timely basis,
loss  of a key supplier or significant disruption in the Company's production or
distribution activities for any other  reason, including an earthquake or  other
catastrophic  event, could have a material adverse  effect on the Company or its
prospects.
 
    While the Company is currently manufacturing its products only in the United
States, the bicycle industry  is, and many of  the Company's OEM customers  are,
highly  dependent on  manufacturing in  overseas locations.  Changes in economic
conditions, currency exchange rates, tariff  regulations, local content laws  or
other  trade  restrictions or  political instability  (International Conditions)
could adversely affect the cost  or availability of products  sold by or to  the
bicycle  industry as a whole and the  Company's OEM customers in particular, any
of which could have a material adverse  effect on the Company or its  prospects.
In  addition, insufficient international consumer  demand for mountain bikes and
related products, including the  Company's products, whether  due to changes  in
International  Conditions, consumer preferences  or other factors,  could have a
material adverse effect on the Company or its prospects.
 
    CONCENTRATIONS OF CREDIT RISK:
 
    Financial instruments that potentially expose the Company to  concentrations
of  credit risk  consist principally of  trade accounts receivable  and cash and
cash equivalents.
 
                                      F-8
<PAGE>
                      RSX HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
        (INFORMATION AS OF JUNE 30, 1996 AND FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED
              MARCH 31, 1994, JUNE 30, 1995 AND 1996 IS UNAUDITED)
 
2.  SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES: (CONTINUED)
    The Company performs ongoing credit evaluations, generally does not  require
collateral  of  its  customers  and maintains  allowances  for  potential credit
losses. At March 31,  1996, three OEM customers  accounted for 32.3%, 16.3%  and
12.9% of accounts receivable. At March 31, 1995, two OEM customers accounted for
16.1%  and 9.8% of accounts receivable. At  December 31, 1994, two OEM customers
accounted for  21.3%  and  14.3%  of  accounts  receivable.  (See  Note  13  for
concentrations of revenue.)
 
    Substantially  all  cash balances  are  held in  two  financial institutions
domiciled in the United States.
 
    CASH EQUIVALENTS:
 
    The Company considers all investments  purchased with original or  remaining
maturities  of  less  than three  months  at the  date  of purchase  to  be cash
equivalents.
 
    INVENTORIES:
 
    Inventories are  stated at  the lower  of cost,  determined on  a  first-in,
first-out basis, or market.
 
    PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT:
 
    Property  and equipment are recorded at  cost and are depreciated over their
estimated useful lives  of one to  seven years using  the straight line  method.
Leasehold  improvements are amortized over the  length of the lease or estimated
useful life, whichever is less. Major additions and betterments are capitalized,
while replacements, maintenance and  repairs that do not  improve or extend  the
life  of the assets are charged to expense.  In the period assets are retired or
otherwise disposed  of,  the  costs and  related  accumulated  depreciation  and
amortization  are removed from the accounts, and any gain or loss on disposal is
included in results of operations.
 
    CAPITALIZED FINANCING COSTS:
 
    Capitalized financing costs associated  with the issuance  of the bank  debt
and  subordinated notes are being  amortized over the terms  of the related debt
using the straight-line method  for the line of  credit and the interest  method
for  the term  loan and  subordinated notes.  Amortization expense  for the year
ended March 31,  1996 was $690,000.  There was no  amortization expense for  the
years  ended December 31,  1993 and 1994  and the amount  was immaterial for the
three month period ended March 31, 1995.
 
    REVENUE RECOGNITION:
 
    The Company recognizes  revenue, net  of allowances  for estimated  returns,
upon shipment of product.
 
    RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT AND ENGINEERING:
 
    Research,  development and engineering expenses are charged to operations as
incurred.
 
    WARRANTY:
 
    All of the Company's suspension products  are covered by a one-year  limited
warranty. Estimated future costs of repair, replacement or customer accomodation
are  accrued and charged to cost of sales based upon estimates of future product
returns and repair costs derived  from historical product sales information  and
analyses  of historical data. In estimating  the level of accrual, the Company's
management makes assumptions relating to the level of product returns and  costs
of  repair.  Management  reviews  the adequacy  of  these  assumptions  based on
historical experience.
 
    ADVERTISING COSTS:
 
    Advertising costs are charged to  operations as incurred. Advertising  costs
were  $523,000, $594,000, $342,000  and $1,089,000 for  the years ended December
31, 1993 and  1994, the three  months ended March  31, 1995 and  the year  ended
March 31, 1996, respectively.
 
                                      F-9
<PAGE>
                      RSX HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
        (INFORMATION AS OF JUNE 30, 1996 AND FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED
              MARCH 31, 1994, JUNE 30, 1995 AND 1996 IS UNAUDITED)
 
2.  SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES: (CONTINUED)
    INCOME TAXES:
 
    The  Company's  provision  for  (benefit from)  income  taxes  comprises its
estimated tax liability currently payable and the change in its deferred  income
taxes.  Deferred tax assets and liabilities  are determined based on differences
between the financial statement  and tax bases of  assets and liabilities  using
enacted tax rates in effect for the period in which the differences are expected
to affect taxable income.
 
    RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS:
 
    During March 1995, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement
No.  121, "Accounting for the Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and for Long-Lived
Assets to Be Disposed of" (SFAS 121),  which requires the Company to review  for
impairment  of long-lived assets, certain  identifiable intangibles and goodwill
related to those  assets whenever  events or changes  in circumstances  indicate
that  the carrying  amount of  an asset  may not  be recoverable.  SFAS 121 will
become effective for the Company's 1997 fiscal year. The Company has studied the
implications of SFAS  No. 121  and, based on  its initial  evaluation, does  not
expect  SFAS 121 to have a material  impact on the Company's financial condition
or results of operations.
 
    During  October  1995,  the  Financial  Accounting  Standards  Board  issued
Statement  No. 123 (SFAS 123),  "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation," which
established a fair value based method of accounting for stock-based compensation
plans. The  Company  is  currently  following  the  requirements  of  Accounting
Principles Board Opinion No. 25, "Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees." The
Company  plans to  adopt SFAS  123 during  fiscal 1997  utilizing the disclosure
alternative.
 
    COMPUTATION OF NET INCOME (LOSS) PER SHARE:
 
    Net income (loss) per share is computed using the weighted average number of
common shares  outstanding during  the period  and, pursuant  to Securities  and
Exchange  Commission Staff  Accounting Bulletin  No. 83,  all common  and common
equivalent shares issued during the twelve  months preceding the filing date  of
RockShox's  initial public  offering (the  Offering) have  been included  in the
calculation of the  number of  shares used to  determine net  income (loss)  per
share  as if the shares had been outstanding for all periods presented using the
treasury stock method.
 
    INTERIM FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED):
 
    The unaudited  financial statements  for the  three months  ended March  31,
1994,  June 30, 1995 and June  30, 1996 have been prepared  on the same basis as
the audited financial statements and, in the opinion of management, include  all
adjustments,  consisting of normal  recurring adjustments, necessary  for a fair
presentation of financial position and results of operations in accordance  with
generally accepted accounting principles.
 
    RECLASSIFICATIONS:
 
    Certain  amounts  in  the  prior  periods'  financial  statements  have been
reclassified to conform to the fiscal 1996 presentation. These reclassifications
did not change previously reported stockholders' equity (deficit) or net  income
(loss).
 
                                      F-10
<PAGE>
                      RSX HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
        (INFORMATION AS OF JUNE 30, 1996 AND FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED
              MARCH 31, 1994, JUNE 30, 1995 AND 1996 IS UNAUDITED)
 
3.  INVENTORIES (IN THOUSANDS):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                               MARCH 31,
                                                           DECEMBER 31,   --------------------
                                                               1994         1995       1996
                                                           -------------  ---------  ---------   JUNE 30,
                                                                                                   1996
                                                                                                -----------
                                                                                                (UNAUDITED)
<S>                                                        <C>            <C>        <C>        <C>
Raw materials............................................    $   3,493    $   2,719  $   5,320   $   5,889
Finished goods...........................................          566        1,631      3,116       1,873
                                                                ------    ---------  ---------  -----------
                                                             $   4,059    $   4,350  $   8,436   $   7,762
                                                                ------    ---------  ---------  -----------
                                                                ------    ---------  ---------  -----------
</TABLE>
 
    Any misjudgment by the Company or any of its OEM customers of the demand for
any  of  its respective  products may  cause the  Company's excess  and obsolete
inventory to exceed estimated allowances for such inventory.
 
4.  PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, NET (IN THOUSANDS):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                              MARCH 31,
                                                          DECEMBER 31,   --------------------
                                                              1994         1995       1996
                                                          -------------  ---------  ---------   JUNE 30,
                                                                                                  1996
                                                                                               -----------
                                                                                               (UNAUDITED)
<S>                                                       <C>            <C>        <C>        <C>
Furniture and fixtures..................................    $     708    $     777  $   1,553   $   2,049
Machinery and equipment.................................          493          669      2,870       3,425
Leasehold improvements..................................          121          141        251         230
                                                               ------    ---------  ---------  -----------
                                                                1,322        1,587      4,674       5,704
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization..........         (359)        (437)    (1,493)     (1,672)
                                                               ------    ---------  ---------  -----------
                                                                  963        1,150      3,181       4,032
Construction in progress................................          153          145      1,132       1,179
                                                               ------    ---------  ---------  -----------
                                                            $   1,116    $   1,295  $   4,313   $   5,211
                                                               ------    ---------  ---------  -----------
                                                               ------    ---------  ---------  -----------
</TABLE>
 
    Depreciation and  amortization expense  on property  and equipment  for  the
years  ended December 31, 1993  and 1994, the three  months ended March 31, 1995
and  the  year  ended  March  31,  1996  was  $127,000,  $193,000,  $78,000  and
$1,056,000, respectively.
 
5.  ACCRUED LIABILITIES (IN THOUSANDS):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                             MARCH 31,
                                                         DECEMBER 31,   --------------------
                                                             1994         1995       1996
                                                         -------------  ---------  ---------   JUNE 30,
                                                                                                 1996
                                                                                              -----------
                                                                                              (UNAUDITED)
<S>                                                      <C>            <C>        <C>        <C>
Accrued payroll and benefits...........................    $     524    $     396  $   1,401   $   1,169
Accrued income taxes payable...........................                       507      1,823       1,357
Accrued warranty.......................................           50          300      4,231       4,731
Accrued interest payable...............................                        55        902         321
Accrued reorganization costs...........................                       995
Other..................................................          366        1,046      1,945       1,652
                                                              ------    ---------  ---------  -----------
                                                           $     940    $   3,299  $  10,302   $   9,230
                                                              ------    ---------  ---------  -----------
                                                              ------    ---------  ---------  -----------
</TABLE>
 
                                      F-11
<PAGE>
                      RSX HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
        (INFORMATION AS OF JUNE 30, 1996 AND FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED
              MARCH 31, 1994, JUNE 30, 1995 AND 1996 IS UNAUDITED)
 
5.  ACCRUED LIABILITIES (IN THOUSANDS): (CONTINUED)
    The Company had $4,231,000 and $4,731,000 in accrued warranty costs at March
31  and June 30, 1996, respectively. There can be no assurance that such accrued
liabilities may not change in the future or that future warranty costs for sales
made through such  dates will not  be greater  than the amounts  accrued by  the
Company  on its consolidated financial statements,  either of which could have a
material adverse effect on the Company or its prospects. No provision for  these
possible  excess warranty costs has been  recorded in the accompanying financial
statements.
 
6.  RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS:
 
    CONSULTING AND EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS:
 
    In connection with the Recapitalization on March 24, 1995 (see Note 1),  the
Company  entered into  annual employment agreements  (the Employment Agreements)
with the Company's  President and  Vice President  of Advanced  Research, and  a
management  consulting agreement (the Consulting Agreement) with an affiliate of
Jordan.
 
    The Employment Agreements are dated as of March 24, 1995, were initially for
one-year terms and  automatically renew  for additional one-year  terms, not  to
exceed  four one-year renewal terms in total,  at the election of the applicable
officer. Under the terms  of the Employment Agreements,  initial payments of  an
aggregate  of $4,700,000 were made, of  which $2,820,000 was charged to selling,
general and administrative expense  and $1,880,000 was  charged to research  and
development  expense in the  statement of operations for  the three month period
ended March 31,  1995. The  Employment Agreements provide  for aggregate  annual
salaries  of $500,000 plus certain additional incentive compensation pursuant to
a bonus plan (the Bonus Plan). The payments under the Bonus Plan are based  upon
the  Company's operating results up to  maximum aggregate payments of $3,000,000
for any one fiscal year  during the period commencing  April 1, 1995 and  ending
March  31,  2000, but  not to  exceed  an aggregate  of $10,000,000  during such
period, for the  Company's President  and Vice President  of Advanced  Research.
Aggregate  incentive compensation earned under the Bonus Plan was $2,125,000 for
the fiscal  year  ended March  31,  1996, of  which  $1,062,500 was  charged  to
selling,  general  and  administrative  expense and  $1,062,500  was  charged to
research and development expense in the statement of operations.
 
    The Consulting  Agreement  is dated  as  of  March 24,  1995  and  generally
continues  until April 1, 2000. Under the  terms of the Consulting Agreement, an
affiliate of  Jordan is  entitled  to a  quarterly  consulting fee  of  $62,500,
potential fees relating to certain future transactions and reimbursement for any
reasonable expenses.
 
    NOTES PAYABLE:
 
    In  connection  with the  Recapitalization,  the Company  issued $11,000,000
aggregate principal amount of senior notes to MCIT PLC and $6,000,000  aggregate
principal  amount of  junior notes to  certain stockholders of  the Company (see
Note 1). Each of the subordinated notes  bear interest at 13.5% per annum,  with
the  interest payable semi-annually. Principal payments  begin in 2003, with the
final installments on  the senior notes  and the  junior notes due  in 2005  and
2006, respectively.
 
    The senior notes include provisions to accelerate payment based upon default
or  violation  of restrictive  covenants contained  in  the Company's  bank debt
agreement (see Note 7).  The agreement pursuant to  which the senior notes  were
issued  contains  a covenant  that requires  the Company  to maintain  a certain
financial ratio and  prohibits the payment  of any dividend  or distribution  on
account  of any class of the Company's  capital stock, except a dividend payable
solely in shares of  that class of  stock, or a dividend  payable to holders  of
Series A and B Preferred Stock provided sufficient funds are available.
 
                                      F-12
<PAGE>
                      RSX HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
        (INFORMATION AS OF JUNE 30, 1996 AND FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED
              MARCH 31, 1994, JUNE 30, 1995 AND 1996 IS UNAUDITED)
 
6.  RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS: (CONTINUED)
    The  Company and MCIT PLC entered into  a pledge agreement pursuant to which
the Company pledged to  MCIT PLC, as  agent for all holders  of senior notes,  a
continuing  security interest  in and  to all  issued and  outstanding shares of
capital stock of  Acquisition, including  all payments and  rights with  respect
thereto and all proceeds thereof.
 
    At  March  31, 1995,  the Company  had a  noncollateralized note  payable of
$250,000 to a stockholder due June 24, 1995. The Company repaid this note during
fiscal 1996.
 
    INVENTORY PURCHASES:
 
    For the years ended December 31, 1993 and 1994, the three months ended March
31, 1995  and  the year  ended  March 31,  1996,  the Company  paid  $3,595,000,
$3,118,000,  $1,271,000  and  $8,529,000,  respectively, to  a  supplier  of raw
materials. Prior to March 18,  1994, the President of  the Company owned 50%  of
the  common stock of this  supplier. The President sold  such stock on March 18,
1994.  The  President  provides  consulting   services  to  this  supplier,   in
consideration  of which the  President receives payments  of approximately 3% of
this supplier's net sales (as defined), generally through 2002.
 
    STOCKHOLDERS AGREEMENT:
 
    The Company, Stephen Simons, Debra Simons, Paul Turner, MCIT PLC and certain
persons and  entities  affiliated  with Jordan  (collectively,  the  Stockholder
Parties)  have  entered into  a subscription  and stockholders  agreement, dated
March 24, 1995 (the Stockholders Agreement), pursuant to which each  Stockholder
Party  agreed to vote  all shares of common  stock of the  Company owned by such
Stockholder Party to maintain a Board  of Directors consisting of four  members,
two  nominated  by Stephen  Simons  and Paul  Turner  and two  nominated  by the
Stockholder Parties other than Messrs. Simons  and Turner and Debra Simons.  The
Stockholders  Agreement also imposes certain  restrictions on transferability of
the shares of common stock of the Company owned by the Stockholder Parties. Such
voting  provisions  and  restrictions  on  transfer  will  terminate  upon   the
consummation  of the Offering. The Stockholders Agreement also provides MCIT PLC
with the right, subject to certain  exceptions, to include its shares of  common
stock  of  the Company  in  a registration  statement  proposed to  be  filed by
RockShox in connection with any public  offering. MCIT has agreed to waive  such
right in connection with the Offering and such provision will terminate upon the
consummation thereof.
 
7.  BANK DEBT:
    The  Company's wholly owned subsidiary, RockShox, has a bank line of credit,
subject to  renewal  on  March  31,  2001, under  which  it  may  borrow  up  to
$6,000,000.  At March  31, 1996, no  borrowings were outstanding  under the bank
line of credit. Borrowings under the bank  line of credit are guaranteed by  the
Company.
 
                                      F-13
<PAGE>
                      RSX HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
        (INFORMATION AS OF JUNE 30, 1996 AND FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED
              MARCH 31, 1994, JUNE 30, 1995 AND 1996 IS UNAUDITED)
 
7.  BANK DEBT: (CONTINUED)
    In  connection with the  Recapitalization (see Note  1), Acquisition entered
into a bank  term loan of  $30,000,000, pursuant to  which escalating  quarterly
installment  payments began on June  30, 1995 with the  final installment due on
March 31, 2001. The  annual principal maturities during  the years ending  March
31, are as follows (IN THOUSANDS):
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                          <C>
1997.......................................................................  $   3,000
1998.......................................................................      4,500
1999.......................................................................      5,600
2000.......................................................................      6,800
2001.......................................................................      7,600
                                                                             ---------
                                                                             $  27,500
                                                                             ---------
                                                                             ---------
</TABLE>
 
    Both  the bank line  of credit and  the term loan  are collateralized by the
assets of  the  Company  and bear  interest  at  a floating  rate  that  changes
depending on the Company's leverage ratio, subject to a maximum annual borrowing
rate, as defined in the agreement (8.56% at March 31, 1996). Interest is payable
quarterly.  The  credit agreement  contains covenants,  the more  restrictive of
which requires  the maintenance  of various  financial ratios  and, among  other
things, restricts additional borrowings and the sale of assets. In addition, the
credit  agreement restricts the ability  of RockShox to pay  a dividend or other
distribution on account of any shares of any class of capital stock of Rockshox,
except a dividend  payable solely in  shares of that  class of stock  or in  any
junior class of stock to the holders of that class.
 
    The  credit agreement  contains certain prepayment  requirements relating to
the cash flows of  RockShox, sale of certain  assets and additional issuance  of
debt.  The  Company  is required  to  make  a mandatory  prepayment  on  June 30
following the  end of  the fiscal  year, beginning  June 30,  1996, based  on  a
percentage  of excess cash flow, as defined in the agreement. At March 31, 1996,
the Company was not required to make  any prepayment under the excess cash  flow
requirements.
 
8.  COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES:
 
    COMMITMENTS:
 
    The  Company  leases  its plant  and  sales  facilities and  certain  of its
equipment under  noncancelable operating  leases that  expire at  various  times
through  2001. Certain of these leases  require escalating monthly payments and,
therefore, periodic rent expense is  being recognized on a straight-line  basis.
Under  these leases, the Company is responsible for maintenance costs, including
real property taxes, utilities  and other costs. Also,  certain of these  leases
contain renewal options.
 
    Total  rent expense for these  leases for the years  ended December 31, 1993
and 1994, the three months ended March  31, 1995, the year ended March 31,  1996
and  the  three months  ended  June 30,  1996  was $163,000,  $292,000, $97,000,
$520,000 and $229,000, respectively. Following is a summary, by fiscal year,  of
future  minimum  lease payments  under  operating leases  at  June 30,  1996 (IN
THOUSANDS):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FISCAL YEAR                                                                 EQUIPMENT     BUILDING      TOTAL
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------  -------------  -----------  ---------
<S>                                                                       <C>            <C>          <C>
1997....................................................................    $      64     $     904   $     968
1998....................................................................           64           863         927
1999....................................................................           64           862         926
2000....................................................................           64           878         942
2001....................................................................           64           633         697
                                                                                -----    -----------  ---------
Total minimum lease payments............................................    $     320     $   4,140   $   4,460
                                                                                -----    -----------  ---------
                                                                                -----    -----------  ---------
</TABLE>
 
                                      F-14
<PAGE>
                      RSX HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
        (INFORMATION AS OF JUNE 30, 1996 AND FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED
              MARCH 31, 1994, JUNE 30, 1995 AND 1996 IS UNAUDITED)
 
8.  COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES: (CONTINUED)
    CONTINGENCIES:
 
    The Company  is  engaged in  certain  legal and  administrative  proceedings
incidental  to  its normal  business  activities. Management  believes  that the
ultimate resolution of these matters will not have a material adverse effect  on
the Company's financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.
 
9.  MANDATORILY REDEEMABLE PREFERRED STOCK ISSUED TO STOCKHOLDERS:
    In  connection with the Recapitalization, the Company issued 3,000 shares of
Series A Preferred Stock and 4,000 shares of Series B Preferred Stock, both at a
price of $1,000 per share. The rights, preferences and privileges of holders  of
the Series A Preferred Stock and Series B Preferred Stock are as follows:
 
    DIVIDENDS:
 
    Holders  of Series A Preferred Stock are  entitled to receive, at the option
of the Board of Directors,  either stock dividends at an  annual rate of 5%  per
share  or cash  dividends at an  annual rate  of $50 per  share. Stock dividends
accrue if no cash  dividends are declared. Holders  of Series B Preferred  Stock
are  entitled to  receive cash  dividends at  an annual  rate of  $50 per share.
Dividends are cumulative  and accrue from  the date of  issuance whether or  not
earned or declared.
 
    REDEMPTION:
 
    The  Company has the option  to redeem the Series  A Preferred Stock and the
Series B Preferred  Stock at  any time  for $1,000  per share  plus accrued  but
unpaid  dividends  thereon  (the  Redemption  Price).  All  shares  of  Series A
Preferred Stock and Series B Preferred Stock must be redeemed by the Company  by
payment  of the Redemption Price on July 31, 2006 or earlier, in connection with
a merger, consolidation or  sale of substantially all  the Company's assets,  in
each  case if the  Company's common stockholders  hold a minority  of the voting
stock of  the corporation  that survived  the merger  or consolidation  or  that
purchased  substantially all of the Company's assets. Payment of any optional or
mandatory redemption  amounts cannot  be made  if such  payment results  in  any
default  under the  Company's debt  obligations. Holders  of Series  A Preferred
Stock will receive  payment of  the Redemption  Price before  any redemption  of
Series B Preferred Stock.
 
                                      F-15
<PAGE>
                      RSx HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
        (Information as of June 30, 1996 and for the three months ended
              March 31, 1994, June 30, 1995 and 1996 is unaudited)
 
9.  MANDATORILY REDEEMABLE PREFERRED STOCK ISSUED TO STOCKHOLDERS: (CONTINUED)
    The  mandatory redemption requirements  include cumulative unpaid dividends.
Assuming no  liquidity  event,  and  no  payment  of  dividends,  the  mandatory
redemption requirements total $12,184,000, all payable in 2006.
 
    LIQUIDATION:
 
    In  the event of any liquidation,  dissolution or winding-up of the Company,
whether voluntary or  involuntary, holders of  Series A Preferred  Stock have  a
liquidation preference over holders of Series B Preferred Stock and common stock
of  $1,000 per share plus  all accrued but unpaid  dividends thereon. Holders of
Series B Preferred Stock  have a liquidation preference  over holders of  common
stock of $1,000 per share plus all accrued but unpaid dividends thereon.
 
10. INCOME TAXES:
    The  components of  the provision  for (benefit  from) income  taxes, all of
which arise from domestic income, are summarized as follows (IN THOUSANDS):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                    YEAR ENDED          THREE
                                                                   DECEMBER 31,        MONTHS     YEAR ENDED
                                                               --------------------  ENDED MARCH   MARCH 31,
                                                                 1993       1994      31, 1995       1996
                                                               ---------  ---------  -----------  -----------
<S>                                                            <C>        <C>        <C>          <C>
Current:
  State......................................................  $     378  $     558   $      45    $   1,127
  Federal....................................................      1,200      2,250         312        4,635
                                                               ---------  ---------  -----------  -----------
                                                                   1,578      2,808         357        5,762
                                                               ---------  ---------  -----------  -----------
Deferred:
  State......................................................        (10)       (48)       (150)        (281)
  Federal....................................................        (47)      (340)       (860)      (2,017)
                                                               ---------  ---------  -----------  -----------
                                                                     (57)      (388)     (1,010)      (2,298)
                                                               ---------  ---------  -----------  -----------
                                                               $   1,521  $   2,420   $    (653)   $   3,464
                                                               ---------  ---------  -----------  -----------
                                                               ---------  ---------  -----------  -----------
</TABLE>
 
    The principal  items  accounting for  the  difference between  income  taxes
computed  at the U.S. statutory rate and the provision for (benefit from) income
taxes reflected in the statements of operations are as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                    YEAR ENDED
                                                                   DECEMBER 31,        THREE MONTHS    YEAR ENDED
                                                             ------------------------   ENDED MARCH    MARCH 31,
                                                                1993         1994        31, 1995         1996
                                                             -----------  -----------  -------------  ------------
<S>                                                          <C>          <C>          <C>            <C>
United States statutory rate...............................       34.0%        34.0%        (34.0)%         35.0%
States taxes, net of federal benefit.......................        6.1          4.6          (5.0)           5.1
Other......................................................       (3.7)        (4.7)         17.2           (2.2)
                                                                 -----        -----         -----          -----
                                                                  36.4%        33.9%        (21.8)%         37.9%
                                                                 -----        -----         -----          -----
                                                                 -----        -----         -----          -----
</TABLE>
 
                                      F-16
<PAGE>
                      RSX HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
        (INFORMATION AS OF JUNE 30, 1996 AND FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED
              MARCH 31, 1994, JUNE 30, 1995 AND 1996 IS UNAUDITED)
 
10. INCOME TAXES: (CONTINUED)
    The tax  effects of  temporary  differences that  give rise  to  significant
portions of the deferred tax asset and liability are as follows (IN THOUSANDS):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                              MARCH 31,
                                                                         DECEMBER 31,    --------------------
                                                                             1994          1995       1996
                                                                        ---------------  ---------  ---------
<S>                                                                     <C>              <C>        <C>
Net operating losses..................................................                   $   1,350
Allowance for doubtful accounts.......................................     $       6             9  $     681
Allowance for excess and obsolete inventory...........................            19                      685
Accrued liabilities...................................................           128            73      1,650
Other.................................................................           344            75        789
                                                                               -----     ---------  ---------
    Net deferred tax asset............................................     $     497     $   1,507  $   3,805
                                                                               -----     ---------  ---------
                                                                               -----     ---------  ---------
</TABLE>
 
    No  valuation allowance  has been  recorded as  management believes  the net
deferred tax asset will be realized in future periods through carryback to prior
years when the  Company paid income  taxes or through  estimated future  taxable
income. The amount of the deferred tax asset that is realizable could be reduced
in the near term if actual results differ significantly from estimates of future
taxable income.
 
11. EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN:
    The  Company has established a defined contribution plan that is intended to
qualify under Section  401 of  the Internal Revenue  Code (the  Plan). The  Plan
covers  substantially  all  officers  and  employees  of  the  Company.  Company
contributions to  the Plan  are determined  at the  discretion of  the Board  of
Directors.  No Company contributions were  made to the Plan  for the years ended
December 31, 1993 and 1994,  the three months ended March  31, 1995 or the  year
ended March 31, 1996.
 
12. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS FAIR VALUE DISCLOSURE:
    The  following  methods and  assumptions were  used  in estimating  the fair
values of financial instruments:
 
        CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS:
 
         The carrying amounts  for cash and  cash equivalents approximate  their
    estimated  fair  values because  of the  short  maturity of  those financial
    instruments.
 
        MANDATORILY REDEEMABLE PREFERRED STOCK AND NOTES PAYABLE TO RELATED
    PARTIES:
 
         No estimates  of the fair  values of these  financial instruments  with
    related  parties could be  made without incurring  excessive costs (see Note
    6).
 
        LONG-TERM DEBT:
 
        Based on rates currently available to the Company for debt with  similar
    terms  and  remaining maturities,  the carrying  amounts for  long-term debt
    approximate their estimated fair value.
 
                                      F-17
<PAGE>
                      RSX HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
        (INFORMATION AS OF JUNE 30, 1996 AND FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED
              MARCH 31, 1994, JUNE 30, 1995 AND 1996 IS UNAUDITED)
 
13. BUSINESS SEGMENT AND GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION:
    The Company currently operates in one industry segment, the suspension class
of the bicycle industry, for financial reporting purposes. Summarized below  are
the  Company's  export  sales (including  sales  to domestic  OEM's  of products
shipped to  their  overseas  manufacturing subcontractors),  all  of  which  are
denominated in U.S. dollars: (IN THOUSANDS)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                              YEAR ENDED DECEMBER
                                                      31,            THREE MONTHS
                                              --------------------       ENDED         YEAR ENDED
                                                1993       1994     MARCH 31, 1995   MARCH 31, 1996
                                              ---------  ---------  ---------------  --------------
<S>                                           <C>        <C>        <C>              <C>
Asia........................................  $   7,234  $  10,563     $   2,800       $   22,813
Europe......................................      4,698      6,096         1,961           13,708
Other.......................................      1,838      2,072           964            4,091
                                              ---------  ---------        ------          -------
                                              $  13,770  $  18,731     $   5,725       $   40,612
                                              ---------  ---------        ------          -------
                                              ---------  ---------        ------          -------
</TABLE>
 
    Revenues  from individual customers  in excess of  10% of net  sales were as
follows (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PERCENT DATA):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                      YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                           ----------------------------------------------    THREE MONTHS ENDED
                                                                                                         YEAR ENDED
                                    1993                    1994               MARCH 31, 1995          MARCH 31, 1996
                           ----------------------  ----------------------  ----------------------  ----------------------
CUSTOMER                     PERCENT     AMOUNT      PERCENT     AMOUNT      PERCENT     AMOUNT      PERCENT     AMOUNT
- -------------------------  -----------  ---------  -----------  ---------  -----------  ---------  -----------  ---------
<S>                        <C>          <C>        <C>          <C>        <C>          <C>        <C>          <C>
A........................                               10.7%   $   4,061       14.5%   $   2,073       17.9%   $  14,950
B........................       17.5%   $   5,419                               12.2%   $   1,737
</TABLE>
 
14. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS:
    In May 1996,  the Company's  Board of  Directors adopted  and the  Company's
stockholders  approved the  1996 Stock  Plan (such  plan, as  amended, the Stock
Plan). The Stock Plan provides  for the issuance of up  to a maximum of  979,020
shares  of common stock pursuant to awards under the Stock Plan. The Company has
reserved 979,020 shares of common stock for issuance under the Stock Plan. Under
the Stock Plan, incentive stock options may be granted only to employees of  the
Company  or any parent or subsidiary thereof, and nonstatutory stock options and
stock purchase  rights  may  be  granted to  employees  and  directors  of,  and
consultants to, the Company or any parent or subsidiary thereof.
 
    The  exercise  price  of  options will  be  determined  by  the compensation
committee of the Board of Directors of RockShox upon the establishment  thereof,
provided  that (i) an incentive stock option may not be granted with an exercise
price less than  the fair market  value (as defined  in the Stock  Plan) of  the
common stock on the date of grant, (ii) an option granted to an optionee who, at
the  time  of such  grant,  owns stock  possessing more  than  10% of  the total
combined voting power  of all classes  of stock  of the Company  or any  parent,
subsidiary  or predecessor of  the Company may  not have an  exercise price less
than 110% of the fair market value of  the common stock as of the date of  grant
and  (iii) a nonstatutory stock option may not be granted with an exercise price
less than 85% of the fair market value of the common stock on the date of grant.
 
    Unless otherwise provided in the  option agreement, each option will  become
exercisable  for 20% of  the total number  of shares of  common stock subject to
such option each year. Options expire no  more than ten years after the date  of
grant,  other than incentive  stock options granted  to an optionee  who, at the
time of such grant, owns stock representing more than 10% of the voting power of
all classes of stock of the Company or any parent or subsidiary of the  Company,
which will expire no more than five years from the date of grant.
 
                                      F-18
<PAGE>
                      RSX HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
        (INFORMATION AS OF JUNE 30, 1996 AND FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED
              MARCH 31, 1994, JUNE 30, 1995 AND 1996 IS UNAUDITED)
 
14. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS: (CONTINUED)
    During May 1996, certain employees were granted stock options to purchase an
aggregate  of  596,320 shares  of common  stock  pursuant to  the Stock  Plan at
exercise prices of  $4.39 and  $4.69 per  share. At  June 30,  1996, options  to
purchase 119,264 shares of common stock were exercisable.
 
    In  June 1996, the Board of Directors  approved an increase in the number of
authorized shares of common stock to 9,799,020.
 
    During August 1996, the Board of  Directors and stockholders of the  Company
approved  the transactions contemplated  by the Agreement  of Merger between the
Company and RockShox pursuant to which, among other things, the Company will  be
merged with and into RockShox (the Merger) and each share of common stock of the
Company  will be  converted into  88.2 shares of  common stock  of RockShox (the
Exchange Ratio). All  share and  per share  data in  the accompanying  financial
statements  have  been  retroactively restated  to  reflect the  Merger  and the
Exchange Ratio.
 
    During September  1996, the  Company's Board  of Directors  adopted and  the
Company's  stockholders  approved  amendments  to the  Stock  Plan.  Also during
September 1996,  certain employees  of,  and consultants  to, the  Company  were
granted  options  to purchase  an aggregate  of 225,000  shares of  common stock
pursuant to the Stock Plan  at the initial public  offering price of the  common
stock of RockShox in the Offering.
 
                                      F-19
<PAGE>
                      RSX HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                 PRO FORMA CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
                          AND STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
 
                                  (UNAUDITED)
 
    The accompanying unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated balance sheet as
of  June 30, 1996 and statements of operations for the year ended March 31, 1996
and the  three  month  period  ended  June  30,  1996  give  effect  to  certain
transactions  which will take place  upon the closing of  the Offering as if the
transactions had taken place as  of June 30, 1996 in  the case of the pro  forma
condensed consolidated balance sheet and, April 1, 1995 and April 1, 1996 in the
case of the respective pro forma condensed consolidated statement of operations.
 
    The  pro  forma  condensed  consolidated  balance  sheet  and  statements of
operations are not  necessarily indicative  of future operations  or the  actual
results  that would have occurred  had the transactions occurred  on the date of
such balance  sheet  or  at  the  beginning of  the  period  presented  in  such
statements  of operations. The pro forma information and related adjustments are
based upon available information and upon certain assumptions which the  Company
believes  are reasonable. The pro forma condensed consolidated balance sheet and
statements of  operations  should be  read  in conjunction  with  the  Company's
Consolidated Financial Statements and notes thereto contained elsewhere herein.
 
                                      F-20
<PAGE>
                      RSX HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                 PRO FORMA CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
               (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AND PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
                                  (UNAUDITED)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                     PRO FORMA         PRO FORMA
                                                                    JUNE 30,        ADJUSTMENTS         JUNE 30,
                                                                      1996            (NOTE 1)            1996
                                                                   ----------  ----------------------  ----------
<S>                                                                <C>         <C>                     <C>
                                                     ASSETS
Current assets:
  Cash and cash equivalents......................................  $    2,914                          $    2,914
  Trade accounts receivable, net.................................       5,736                               5,736
  Inventories....................................................       7,762                               7,762
  Prepaid expenses and other current assets......................         779                                 779
  Deferred income taxes..........................................       3,805  $    3,606(e)                7,411
                                                                   ----------    --------              ----------
    Total current assets.........................................      20,996       3,606                  24,602
  Property and equipment, net....................................       5,211                               5,211
  Capitalized financing costs, net...............................       2,353  $   (2,353)(c)              --
  Other assets, net..............................................         105                                 105
                                                                   ----------    --------              ----------
        Total assets.............................................  $   28,665  $    1,253              $   29,918
                                                                   ----------    --------              ----------
                                                                   ----------    --------              ----------
                                 LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT)
Current liabilities:
  Trade accounts payable.........................................  $    5,590            --            $    5,590
  Accounts payable to related party..............................         254            --                   254
  Accrued incentive compensation payable to officers.............         750        (656)(d)                  94
  Accrued liabilities............................................       9,230            --                 9,230
  Current portion of long-term bank debt.........................       3,375  $   (3,375)(b)              --
                                                                   ----------    --------              ----------
    Total current liabilities....................................      19,199      (4,031)                 15,168
Long-term bank debt, net of current portion......................      23,375     (23,375)(b)              --
Notes payable to related parties, net of current portion.........      17,000     (17,000)(b)              --
                                                                   ----------    --------              ----------
      Total liabilities..........................................      59,574     (44,406)                 15,168
                                                                   ----------    --------              ----------
Mandatorily redeemable preferred stock...........................       7,449      (7,449)(b)              --
                                                                   ----------    --------              ----------
Common stock, $0.01 par value,
  Authorized: 9,799,020 shares actual,
   50,000,000 shares pro forma;
  Issued and outstanding: 8,820,000 shares actual,
   13,190,400 shares pro forma...................................          88          47(a)                  135
Additional paid-in capital.......................................         412      58,469(a)               58,881
Distributions in excess of net book value........................     (45,422)           --               (45,422)
Retained earnings................................................       6,564      (5,408)(c)(d)(e)         1,156
                                                                   ----------    --------              ----------
      Total stockholders' equity (deficit).......................     (38,358)     53,108                  14,750
                                                                   ----------    --------              ----------
        Total liabilities, mandatorily redeemable preferred stock
         and stockholders' equity (deficit)......................  $   28,665  $    1,253              $   29,918
                                                                   ----------    --------              ----------
                                                                   ----------    --------              ----------
</TABLE>
 
    The accompanying notes are an integral part of these pro forma condensed
            consolidated balance sheet and statements of operations.
 
                                      F-21
<PAGE>
                      RSX HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
            PRO FORMA CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
                    (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
                                  (UNAUDITED)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                      PRO FORMA
                                                                        THREE MONTHS    PRO FORMA    THREE MONTHS
                                                                         ENDED JUNE    ADJUSTMENTS    ENDED JUNE
                                                                          30, 1996      (NOTE 2)       30, 1996
                                                                        ------------   -----------   ------------
<S>                                                                     <C>            <C>           <C>
Net sales.............................................................    $21,378        --            $21,378
Cost of sales.........................................................     13,733        --             13,733
                                                                        ------------                 ------------
    Gross profit......................................................      7,645        --              7,645
                                                                        ------------                 ------------
Selling, general and administrative expense...........................      2,916        (312)(f)        2,604
Research, development and engineering expense.........................      1,243        (344)(f)          899
                                                                        ------------   -----------   ------------
                                                                            4,159        (656)           3,503
                                                                        ------------   -----------   ------------
    Income from operations............................................      3,486         656            4,142
Interest income.......................................................         49        --                 49
Interest expense......................................................     (1,341)      1,341(g)        --
                                                                        ------------   -----------   ------------
    Income before income taxes........................................      2,194       1,997            4,191
Provision for income taxes............................................        845         799(i)         1,644
                                                                        ------------   -----------   ------------
    Net income........................................................    $ 1,349      $1,198          $ 2,547
                                                                        ------------   -----------   ------------
                                                                        ------------   -----------   ------------
Net income............................................................    $ 1,349      $1,198          $ 2,547
Accretion for dividends on mandatorily redeemable preferred stock.....         92         (92)(h)       --
                                                                        ------------   -----------   ------------
Net income available to common stockholders...........................    $ 1,257      $1,290          $ 2,547
                                                                        ------------   -----------   ------------
                                                                        ------------   -----------   ------------
Net income per share..................................................    $  0.14                      $  0.19
                                                                        ------------                 ------------
                                                                        ------------                 ------------
Shares used in per share computation..................................      9,240       4,370(j)        13,610
                                                                        ------------   -----------   ------------
                                                                        ------------   -----------   ------------
</TABLE>
 
    The accompanying notes are an integral part of these pro forma condensed
            consolidated balance sheet and statements of operations.
 
                                      F-22
<PAGE>
                      RSX HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
            PRO FORMA CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
                    (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
                                  (UNAUDITED)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                     YEAR                      PRO FORMA
                                                                                    ENDED       PRO FORMA      YEAR ENDED
                                                                                  MARCH 31,    ADJUSTMENTS     MARCH 31,
                                                                                     1996        (NOTE 2)         1996
                                                                                  ----------  --------------   ----------
<S>                                                                               <C>         <C>              <C>
Net sales.......................................................................  $   83,509      --           $   83,509
Cost of sales...................................................................      54,110      --               54,110
                                                                                  ----------                   ----------
    Gross profit................................................................      29,399      --               29,399
                                                                                  ----------                   ----------
Selling, general and administrative expense.....................................      11,220        (812)(f)       10,408
Research, development and engineering expense...................................       3,401        (938)(f)        2,463
                                                                                  ----------  --------------   ----------
                                                                                      14,621      (1,750)          12,871
                                                                                  ----------  --------------   ----------
    Income from operations......................................................      14,778       1,750           16,528
Interest income.................................................................         136      --                  136
Interest expense................................................................      (5,786)      5,786(g)        --
                                                                                  ----------  --------------   ----------
    Income before income taxes..................................................       9,128       7,536           16,664
Provision for income taxes......................................................       3,464       3,014(i)         6,478
                                                                                  ----------  --------------   ----------
    Net income..................................................................  $    5,664  $    4,522       $   10,186
                                                                                  ----------  --------------   ----------
                                                                                  ----------  --------------   ----------
Net income......................................................................  $    5,664  $    4,522       $   10,186
Accretion for dividends on mandatorily redeemable preferred stock...............         357        (357)(h)       --
                                                                                  ----------  --------------   ----------
Net income available to common stockholders.....................................  $    5,307  $    4,879       $   10,186
                                                                                  ----------  --------------   ----------
                                                                                  ----------  --------------   ----------
Net income per share............................................................  $     0.57                   $     0.75
                                                                                  ----------                   ----------
                                                                                  ----------                   ----------
Shares used in per share computation............................................       9,240       4,370(j)        13,610
                                                                                  ----------  --------------   ----------
                                                                                  ----------  --------------   ----------
</TABLE>
 
    The accompanying notes are an integral part of these pro forma condensed
            consolidated balance sheet and statements of operations.
 
                                      F-23
<PAGE>
                      RSX HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                   NOTES TO PRO FORMA CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED
                   BALANCE SHEET AND STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
                                  (UNAUDITED)
 
1.  PRO FORMA ADJUSTMENTS TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET:
    To  reflect (i) the  estimated net proceeds from  the Offering, (ii) payment
with the proceeds  from the Offering  of the Company's  borrowings of  long-term
bank  debt and  subordinated notes,  (iii) the  redemption of  the Series  A and
Series B Preferred Stock, (iv) the payment of an aggregate of $7,317,000 to  the
Company's  President and  Vice President of  Advanced Research  to terminate the
Bonus Plan, (v) the  reduction in accrued compensation  payable under the  Bonus
Plan,  (vi) the  charge-off of capitalized  financing costs related  to the bank
debt (vii) the income tax effect of  the forgoing, and (viii) the effect of  the
Merger  on the number  of authorized shares  of common stock,  certain pro forma
adjustments have been made to the accompanying pro forma condensed  consolidated
balance sheet, as if the Offering was consummated on June 30, 1996, as follows:
 
        (a)  Issuance  of 4,370,400  shares  of common  stock  at $15  per share
    pursuant to the Offering, net of  expenses, to fund payments of  $26,750,000
    and  $17,000,000 to  repay bank  debt and  subordinated notes, respectively,
    $7,449,000 to  redeem  the  Series  A  and  Series  B  Preferred  Stock  and
    $7,317,000 to terminate the Bonus Plan.
 
        (b) Use of proceeds to repay bank debt and subordinated notes to related
    parties  of  $26,750,000 and  $17,000,000, respectively,  and to  redeem the
    Series A and Series B Preferred Stock of $7,449,000. (See Note 6 of Notes to
    Consolidated Financial Statements.)
 
        (c) Charge-off of capitalized financing  costs of $2,353,000 related  to
    the bank debt.
 
        (d)  Charge of $6,661,000,  representing a payment  of $7,317,000 less a
    reduction in accrued incentive compensation payable of $656,000 as described
    in adjustment (f) to terminate the  Bonus Plan with the Company's  President
    and Vice President of Advanced Research.
 
        (e)  Records  the  tax  impact  of the  tax  benefit  realized  from the
    deductible portion of adjustments (c) and (d) at a 40% incremental tax rate.
 
2.  PRO FORMA ADJUSTMENTS TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF
OPERATIONS:
    To reflect (i) the elimination of interest expense from the repayment of the
bank debt and subordinated notes, (ii)  the elimination of dividends payable  to
the  holders of the Series A and Series B Preferred Stock (iii) the reduction in
selling, general  and administrative  expenses,  and research,  development  and
engineering  expenses, in each case resulting  from the termination of the Bonus
Plan, and  (iv)  the  income tax  effect  of  the forgoing,  certain  pro  forma
adjustments  have been made to the accompanying pro forma condensed consolidated
statements of operations, as if the Offering was consummated on the first day of
the period presented, as follows:
 
        (f) Reduces the bonus expense recorded and payable pursuant to the Bonus
    Plan under the Employment Agreements  with the Company's President and  Vice
    President  of Advanced  Research, in excess  of the maximum  of $250,000 and
    $125,000, per  year respectively,  that will  be payable  to each  of  these
    individuals  under the employment agreements that will become effective upon
    consummation of the Offering.
 
        (g) Records the elimination of interest expense resulting from  repaying
    the  long-term bank debt and subordinated notes, and from the elimination of
    amortization of the deferred financing costs.
 
        (h) Records the elimination of  dividends resulting from the  redemption
    of Series A and Series B Preferred Stock.
 
        (i)   Records the tax impact of the increase in the provision for income
    taxes resulting from the decrease in tax deductible expenses in  adjustments
    (f) and (g) at a 40% incremental tax rate.
 
        (j)   Records the  effect on shares  used in per  share computation as a
    result of 4,370,400 shares of common stock issued, net of expenses, to repay
    bank debt and  subordinated notes, redeem  Series A and  Series B  Preferred
    Stock and to terminate the Bonus Plan.
 
    The pro forma condensed consolidated statements of operations do not reflect
the  charge of $2,353,000 related to the  deferred financing cost or the expense
of $6,661,000 related to the termination of  the Bonus Plan, both of which  will
reduce  net income  in the  quarter the Offering  is consummated  because of the
nonrecurring nature of each of these items.
 
                                      F-24
<PAGE>
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    NO  DEALER, SALESPERSON OR OTHER INDIVIDUAL  HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY
INFORMATION OR  MAKE ANY  REPRESENTATIONS NOT  CONTAINED IN  THIS PROSPECTUS  IN
CONNECTION  WITH THE OFFERING COVERED BY THIS PROSPECTUS. IF GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH
INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATIONS MUST NOT BE RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED
BY THE COMPANY OR THE UNDERWRITERS. THIS PROSPECTUS DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER
TO SELL,  OR  A SOLICITATION  OF  AN  OFFER TO  BUY,  THE COMMON  STOCK  IN  ANY
JURISDICTION  WHERE, OR TO ANY PERSON TO WHOM, IT IS UNLAWFUL TO MAKE SUCH OFFER
OR SOLICITATION.  NEITHER THE  DELIVERY OF  THIS PROSPECTUS  NOR ANY  SALE  MADE
HEREUNDER  SHALL, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, CREATE ANY IMPLICATION THAT THERE HAS
NOT BEEN ANY CHANGE IN THE FACTS SET FORTH IN THIS PROSPECTUS OR IN THE  AFFAIRS
OF THE COMPANY SINCE THE DATE HEREOF.
 
                              -------------------
 
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                    PAGE
                                                    -----
<S>                                              <C>
Prospectus Summary.............................           3
Risk Factors...................................           7
The Recapitalization and the Merger............          13
Use of Proceeds................................          14
Dividend Policy................................          14
Capitalization.................................          15
Dilution.......................................          16
Selected Financial Data........................          17
Management's Discussion and Analysis of
 Financial Condition and Results of
 Operations....................................          19
Business.......................................          25
Management.....................................          41
Certain Transactions...........................          45
Principal and Selling Stockholders.............          49
Description of Capital Stock...................          50
Shares Eligible for Future Sale................          51
Underwriting...................................          53
Legal Matters..................................          54
Experts........................................          55
Additional Information.........................          55
Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking
 Statements....................................          55
Index to Consolidated Financial Statements and
 Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet
 and Statements of Operations..................         F-1
</TABLE>
 
                              -------------------
 
    UNTIL  OCTOBER 21,  1996 (25  DAYS AFTER THE  DATE OF  THIS PROSPECTUS), ALL
DEALERS EFFECTING  TRANSACTIONS IN  THE REGISTERED  SECURITIES, WHETHER  OR  NOT
PARTICIPATING  IN THIS  DISTRIBUTION, MAY BE  REQUIRED TO  DELIVER A PROSPECTUS.
THIS DELIVERY REQUIREMENT IS IN ADDITION TO THE OBLIGATION OF DEALERS TO DELIVER
A PROSPECTUS  WHEN ACTING  AS  UNDERWRITERS AND  WITH  RESPECT TO  THEIR  UNSOLD
ALLOTMENTS OR SUBSCRIPTIONS.
 
                                4,800,000 SHARES
 
                                     [LOGO]
 
                                 ROCKSHOX, INC.
 
                                  COMMON STOCK
 
                               -----------------
 
                                   PROSPECTUS
 
                               -----------------
 
                              MERRILL LYNCH & CO.
                         ROBERTSON, STEPHENS & COMPANY
                           JEFFERIES & COMPANY, INC.
 
                               SEPTEMBER 26, 1996
 
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