ROCKSHOX INC
S-1/A, 1996-08-23
MOTORCYCLES, BICYCLES & PARTS
Previous: R&G FINANCIAL CORP, 424B4, 1996-08-23
Next: GRADALL INDUSTRIES INC, S-1/A, 1996-08-23



<PAGE>
   
    AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON AUGUST 23, 1996
    
 
   
                                                       REGISTRATION NO. 333-8069
    
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
                           --------------------------
   
                                AMENDMENT NO. 1
                                       TO
    
                                    FORM S-1
                             REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                     UNDER
                           THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
                            ------------------------
                                 ROCKSHOX, INC.
             (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
 
<TABLE>
<S>                              <C>                            <C>
           DELAWARE                          3751                  77-0396555
 (State or Other Jurisdiction    (Primary Standard Industrial   (I.R.S. Employer
              of                 Classification Code Number)     Identification
Incorporation or Organization)                                      Number)
</TABLE>
 
                               401 CHARCOT AVENUE
                           SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA 95131
                                 (408) 435-7469
              (Address, Including Zip Code, and Telephone Number,
       Including Area Code, of Registrant's Principal Executive Offices)
 
                                 STEPHEN SIMONS
                                   PRESIDENT
                                 ROCKSHOX, INC.
                               401 CHARCOT AVENUE
                           SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA 95131
                                 (408) 435-7469
           (Name, Address, Including Zip Code, and Telephone Number,
                   Including Area Code, of Agent for Service)
                           --------------------------
                                    COPY TO:
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                          <C>                                          <C>
        Michael A. Woronoff, Esq.                      Sandra A. Golze, Esq.                       Gregory K. Miller, Esq.
   Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom        McCutchen, Doyle, Brown & Enersen, LLP                  Latham & Watkins
    300 South Grand Avenue, Suite 3400                Three Embarcadero Center                505 Montgomery Street, Suite 1900
      Los Angeles, California 90071             San Francisco, California 94111-4066           San Francisco, California 94111
              (213) 687-5000                               (415) 393-2000                               (415) 391-0600
           Fax: (213) 687-5600                          Fax: (415) 393-2286                          Fax: (415) 395-8095
</TABLE>
 
                           --------------------------
        APPROXIMATE DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROPOSED SALE TO THE PUBLIC:
  As soon as practicable after this Registration Statement becomes effective.
                           --------------------------
 
    If  any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on
a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to  Rule 415 under the Securities Act  of
1933, check the following box. / /
 
    If  this Form  is filed  to register  additional securities  for an offering
pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box
and list  the  Securities  Act  registration statement  number  of  the  earlier
effective registration statement for the same offering. / /
 
    If  this Form  is a post-effective  amendment filed pursuant  to Rule 462(c)
under the Securities Act,  check the following box  and list the Securities  Act
registration  statement number  of the earlier  effective registration statement
for the same offering. / /
 
   
    If the delivery of the  prospectus is expected to  be made pursuant to  Rule
434, please check the following box. / /
    
                           --------------------------
 
    THE  REGISTRANT HEREBY  AMENDS THIS REGISTRATION  STATEMENT ON  SUCH DATE OR
DATES AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO DELAY ITS EFFECTIVE DATE UNTIL THE REGISTRANT SHALL
FILE A  FURTHER  AMENDMENT  WHICH SPECIFICALLY  STATES  THAT  THIS  REGISTRATION
STATEMENT  SHALL THEREAFTER BECOME EFFECTIVE IN  ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 8(A) OF
THE SECURITIES ACT  OF 1933  OR UNTIL  THE REGISTRATION  STATEMENT SHALL  BECOME
EFFECTIVE  ON SUCH DATE AS THE COMMISSION, ACTING PURSUANT TO SAID SECTION 8(A),
MAY DETERMINE.
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
                                 ROCKSHOX, INC.
 
                             CROSS REFERENCE SHEET
                   REQUIRED BY ITEM 501(B) OF REGULATION S-K
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
REGISTRATION STATEMENT ITEM NUMBER AND CAPTION                              CAPTION OR LOCATION IN PROSPECTUS
- ----------------------------------------------------------------  -----------------------------------------------------
<S>        <C>                                                    <C>
1.         Forepart of the Registration Statement and Outside
            Front Cover Page of Prospectus......................  Outside Front Cover Page of Prospectus.
2.         Inside Front and Outside Back Cover Pages of
            Prospectus..........................................  Inside Front and Outside Back Cover Pages of
                                                                   Prospectus; Additional Information.
3.         Summary Information, Risk Factors and Ratio of
            Earnings to Fixed Charges...........................  Prospectus Summary; Risk Factors.
4.         Use of Proceeds......................................  Use of Proceeds.
5.         Determination of Offering Price......................  Underwriting.
6.         Dilution.............................................  Dilution.
7.         Selling Security Holders.............................  Principal and Selling Stockholders; Management.
8.         Plan of Distribution.................................  Underwriting.
9.         Description of Securities to Be Registered...........  Outside Front Cover Page of Prospectus; Prospectus
                                                                   Summary; Description of Capital Stock.
10.        Interests of Named Experts and Counsel...............  Not applicable.
11.        Information with Respect to the Registrant...........  Prospectus Summary; Risk Factors; The
                                                                   Recapitalization and the Merger; Use of Proceeds;
                                                                   Dividend Policy; Capitalization; Dilution; Selected
                                                                   Financial Data; Management's Discussion and Analysis
                                                                   of Financial Condition and Results of Operations;
                                                                   Business; Management; Certain Transactions;
                                                                   Principal and Selling Stockholders; Description of
                                                                   Capital Stock; Shares Eligible for Future Sale;
                                                                   Additional Information; Financial Statements.
12.        Disclosure of Commission Position on Indemnification
            for Securities Act Liabilities......................  Not applicable.
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
INFORMATION   CONTAINED  HEREIN  IS  SUBJECT   TO  COMPLETION  OR  AMENDMENT.  A
REGISTRATION STATEMENT  RELATING TO  THESE SECURITIES  HAS BEEN  FILED WITH  THE
SECURITIES  AND EXCHANGE  COMMISSION. THESE SECURITIES  MAY NOT BE  SOLD NOR MAY
OFFERS TO BUY BE ACCEPTED PRIOR  TO THE TIME THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT  BECOMES
EFFECTIVE.  THIS  PROSPECTUS  SHALL  NOT  CONSTITUTE AN  OFFER  TO  SELL  OR THE
SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY NOR SHALL THERE BE ANY SALE OF THESE  SECURITIES
IN  ANY STATE IN WHICH SUCH OFFER,  SOLICITATION OR SALE WOULD BE UNLAWFUL PRIOR
TO REGISTRATION OR QUALIFICATION UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY SUCH STATE.
<PAGE>
PROSPECTUS
   
                             SUBJECT TO COMPLETION
                  PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS DATED AUGUST 23, 1996
    
 
   
                                4,800,000 SHARES
    
 
                                [ROCKSHOX 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.
It is  currently anticipated  that the  initial public  offering price  for  the
Common Stock will be between $13.00 and $15.00 per share. See "Underwriting" for
information relating to the determination of the initial public offering price.
    
 
   
    Application has been made to have the Common Stock approved for quotation on
The Nasdaq Stock Market under the symbol "RSHX."
    
 
    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.........................          $                  $                  $
Total (3).........................          $                  $                  $
</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 $      .
 
   
(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  $        , $        , $        and  $        ,
    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            , 1996.
 
MERRILL LYNCH & CO.
                         ROBERTSON, STEPHENS & COMPANY
                                                       JEFFERIES & COMPANY, INC.
 
               THE DATE OF THIS PROSPECTUS IS            , 1996.
<PAGE>
                                   [PICTURES]
 
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.
 
                                       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  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.
 
                                       3
<PAGE>
   
    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 has experienced approximately 33% cumulative growth in unit sales 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......................................  Application  has been made to have the Common
                                                Stock approved for  quotation on The  Nasdaq
                                                Stock Market under the symbol "RSHX."
</TABLE>
    
 
- ------------------------
 
   
(1) Excludes approximately 596,320 shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise
    of stock options outstanding under the Company's 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 Subscription  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>
                                                                                                                    THREE
                                                                                           YEAR ENDED MARCH 31,    MONTHS
                                                                                THREE                               ENDED
                                                                               MONTHS            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:
 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
  Operating expenses...........      1,923      5,541      6,634      6,283       7,627      14,621      12,871       3,411
                                 ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  -----------  ---------  -----------  ---------
  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   $    0.73   $    0.10
                                 ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  -----------  ---------  -----------  ---------
                                 ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  -----------  ---------  -----------  ---------
  Shares used in
   per share calculations (3)..      9,240      9,240      9,240      9,240       9,240       9,240      13,884(4)     9,240
 
<CAPTION>
                                   1996         1996
                                  ACTUAL    PRO FORMA (2)
                                 ---------  -------------
<S>                              <C>        <C>            <C>
STATEMENT OF
OPERATIONS DATA:
 Net sales.....................  $  21,378    $  21,378
  Cost of sales................     13,733       13,733
                                                                    -
                                 ---------  -------------
    Gross profit...............      7,645        7,645
  Operating expenses...........      4,159        3,503
                                                                    -
                                 ---------  -------------
  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    $    0.18
                                                                    -
                                                                    -
                                 ---------  -------------
                                 ---------  -------------
  Shares used in
   per share calculations (3)..      9,240       13,884(4)
</TABLE>
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                            JUNE 30, 1996
                                                                                    ------------------------------
                                                                                                      PRO FORMA
                                                                                        ACTUAL      AS ADJUSTED(5)
                                                                                    --------------  --------------
<S>                                                                                 <C>             <C>
BALANCE SHEET DATA:
  Working capital.................................................................  $     1,797      $     11,614
  Total assets....................................................................       28,665            32,098
  Total debt......................................................................       43,750                --
  Mandatorily redeemable preferred stock..........................................        7,449                --
  Stockholders' equity (deficit)..................................................      (38,358)           16,930
</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.
    
 
                                       5
<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 4,644,236 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 (as defined below), the Senior  Notes (as defined below) and  the
    Junior  Notes (as  defined below), 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.  BMRI estimates that  mountain
bike  unit sales through mass merchandisers and  IBDs will not grow in 1996. Any
decline in the size of, or lack of growth in, the overall bicycle market or  the
mountain bike segment, or a 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
decline or 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
 
    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 others
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. In addition,
if any person were to  assert valid claims 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  design  or alter  its products  or production  methods so  as to  avoid such
infringement at a  reasonable cost or  to negotiate an  acceptable licensing  or
other  arrangement with such  person, the Company could,  among other things, be
precluded from  making or  marketing products  containing such  features and  be
required  to make payments to  such person, 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, significant  delay, disruption  or cancellation  of a  vendor's
order  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."
    
 
                                       9
<PAGE>
   
RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS AND SALES
    
 
   
    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 adversely
affect the bicycle industry, the Company's OEM customers or the Company's sales,
any of  which  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 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
    
 
                                       10
<PAGE>
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 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 Note  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
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 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  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
will be 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
    
 
                                       11
<PAGE>
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 expected to  be 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 $12.76 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  $1.00 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,  MCIT PLC, an investment company  organized
under  the laws of England and Wales  ("MCIT"), which is managed by an affiliate
of The Jordan  Company and in  which affiliates  of The Jordan  Company have  an
ownership  interest, and other  persons and entities  affiliated with The Jordan
Company purchased the remaining  50% of Holdings Common  Stock, 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  $11 million aggregate  principal amount  of 13.5% senior
subordinated notes of Holdings  (the "Senior Notes")  for an aggregate  purchase
price of approximately $14.5 million.
    
 
    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
$60.5  million based on an  assumed initial public offering  price of $14.00 per
share, 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  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  (at an
assumed initial public offering price of  $14.00 per share) and the  application
of  the estimated 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        61,060
  Distribution in excess of net book value.............................................    (45,422)      (45,422)
  Retained earnings....................................................................      6,564         1,156
                                                                                         ---------       -------
    Total stockholders' equity (deficit)...............................................    (38,358)       16,930
                                                                                         ---------       -------
      Total capitalization.............................................................  $   9,466    $   16,930
                                                                                         ---------       -------
                                                                                         ---------       -------
</TABLE>
    
 
- ------------------------
(1) Gives  effect  to the  Merger,  which will  occur  immediately prior  to the
    closing of the Offering.
 
   
(2) Does not include approximately 596,320 shares of Common Stock issuable  upon
    exercise  of options 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 $16.9 million,  or
$1.24  per  share.  See "Use  of  Proceeds."  This represents  an  immediate net
tangible book value dilution of $12.76 per share to investors purchasing  shares
in the Offering. The following table illustrates this per share dilution:
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                 <C>        <C>
Assumed initial public offering price per share (1)...............             $   14.00
  Negative net tangible book value at June 30, 1996...............  $   (4.62)
  Increase attributable to new investors in the Offering..........       5.86
                                                                    ---------
Pro forma net tangible book value per share after the Offering
 (2)..............................................................                  1.24
                                                                               ---------
Dilution per share to new investors...............................             $   12.76
                                                                               ---------
                                                                               ---------
</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%  $  67,200,000      99.3%    $   14.00
                                                  ------------  ---------  -------------  ---------
  Total.........................................    13,620,000     100.0%     67,700,000     100.0%
                                                  ------------  ---------  -------------  ---------
                                                  ------------  ---------  -------------  ---------
</TABLE>
    
 
- ------------------------
(1) Before  deducting estimated underwriting discount  and estimated expenses of
    the Offering payable by the Company.
 
   
(2) Excludes approximately 596,320 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 following selected financial  data as of June 30, 1996
and 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 statements 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
                                ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  -----------  -----------  -----------  ---------
                                                           (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
<S>                             <C>        <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   $  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    $    0.73   $    0.10
                                ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  -----------  -----------  -----------  ---------
                                ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  -----------  -----------  -----------  ---------
  Shares used in per share
   calculations (3)...........      9,240      9,240      9,240      9,240       9,240        9,240       13,884(4)     9,240
                                ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  -----------  -----------  -----------  ---------
                                ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  -----------  -----------  -----------  ---------
 
<CAPTION>
 
                                             AT DECEMBER 31,                      AT MARCH 31,
                                ------------------------------------------  ------------------------
                                  1991       1992       1993       1994       1995(1)      1996(1)
                                ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  -----------  -----------
                                                                       (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                             <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>
BALANCE SHEET DATA:
  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:
  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    $    0.18
                                ---------  -------------
                                ---------  -------------
  Shares used in per share
   calculations (3)...........      9,240       13,884(4)
                                ---------  -------------
                                ---------  -------------
                                    AT JUNE 30, 1996
                                ------------------------
                                             PRO FORMA
                                                AS
                                 ACTUAL     ADJUSTED(5)
                                ---------  -------------
 
<S>                             <C>        <C>
BALANCE SHEET DATA:
  Working capital
   (deficiency)...............  $   1,797    $  11,614
  Total assets................     28,665       32,098
  Total debt..................     43,750       --
  Mandatorily redeemable
   preferred stock............      7,449       --
  Stockholders' equity
   (deficit)..................    (38,358)      16,930
</TABLE>
    
 
                                       17
<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 4,644,286 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%.
The Company believes that  its growth has been  the result of increasing  market
acceptance  of bicycle suspension and, more specifically, growing demand for the
ROCKSHOX brand of 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  are much  higher 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 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 COMPARED TO THREE MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30,
    1995
    
 
   
    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  higher unit volume  of the QUADRA product
line, which experienced both higher unit volume and 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  certain new product
introductions in 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)
remained relatively constant,  increasing 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
$300,000 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  quarter that the
Registration Statement relating to the  Offering becomes effective, 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 4.0%  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 of $1.3 million in
the first quarter  of fiscal  1997 (which included  amortization of  capitalized
financing  costs) compared to $1.5 million in  the first quarter of fiscal 1996.
The decrease  was  primarily  due  to lower  interest  rates  and  reduction  of
principal  outstanding in the first quarter of fiscal 1997 compared to the first
quarter of fiscal 1996. In the quarter that
    
 
                                       20
<PAGE>
   
the Registration  Statement  relating to  the  Offering becomes  effective,  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  $2.4 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 the
Company's 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 --  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  quarter
that  the Registration Statement relating to the Offering becomes effective, 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 of $5.8 million  in
fiscal  1996  (which  included  amortization  of  capitalized  financing  costs)
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 quarter
that the
 
                                       21
<PAGE>
   
Registration  Statement relating to the  Offering becomes effective, 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 $2.4
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  Facility contains  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  Facility restricts  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.
    
   
<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)         900          1,497          2,357
                            -----------        ------     -------------  -----------  -----------       -------    -------------
                            -----------        ------     -------------  -----------  -----------       -------    -------------
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).........         555        1,257
                            -----------  -----------
                            -----------  -----------
Net income (loss) per
 share....................   $    0.06    $    0.14
                            -----------  -----------
                            -----------  -----------
Shares used in per share
 calculations.............       9,240        9,240
</TABLE>
    
 
                                       23
<PAGE>
   
    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
      one-piece monocoque casting, 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
    
 
                                       25
<PAGE>
   
      forks to eight out of the ten leading OEMs selling through domestic  IBDs.
      The Company's products 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, mountain bikes retailing for $600 or more through IBDs
      in the U.S. experienced cumulative unit sales growth of approximately  33%
      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 216 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, it is estimated  that 114 million bicycles were
produced worldwide in 1995. The  Company believes the two largest  international
bicycle markets are Western Europe and Japan, where approximately 18 million and
8.5 million bicycles were sold in 1994, respectively.
 
    Bicycles  are  sold through  two primary  retail channels:  mass merchandise
retailers and IBDs. 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 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 with a retail  price
over  $600 by  IBDs in the  U.S. have  increased by 33%  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. 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.
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                               <C>          <C>
RETAIL PRICE POINT                                                   1992         1996
- ----------------------------------------------------------------     -----        -----
$600 or more....................................................          84          608
$599 or less....................................................           0           56
                                                                          --
                                                                                      ---
    Total.......................................................          84          664
                                                                          --
                                                                          --
                                                                                      ---
                                                                                      ---
</TABLE>
 
       Source: MOUNTAIN BIKE MAGAZINE
 
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
    
 
                                       28
<PAGE>
the  U.S. with full  suspension have increased from  39 in 1992  to 216 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., 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 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 such persons and entities. 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 compression. The damper also absorbs  impact
and  moderates the movement of the fork  as it returns to its original position.
As a  result, suspension  mitigates the  impact of  rough terrain  and  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.
 
                                       29
<PAGE>
    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  $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  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 actual shipments.
    
 
                                       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
                    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  TWELVE MONTHS
                                                                                                                  ENDED
                         DECEMBER 31, 1993             DECEMBER 31, 1994               MARCH 31, 1996         JUNE 30, 1996
                    ----------------------------  ----------------------------  ----------------------------  -------------
                      NET SALES                     NET SALES                     NET SALES                     NET SALES
                         (IN           % OF            (IN           % OF            (IN           % OF            (IN
                     THOUSANDS)      NET SALES     THOUSANDS)      NET SALES     THOUSANDS)      NET SALES     THOUSANDS)
                    -------------  -------------  -------------  -------------  -------------  -------------  -------------
<S>                 <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>
OEMs..............    $  19,479            63%      $  24,482            65%      $  57,103            68%      $  60,628
Distributors and
 IBDs.............       11,462            37%         13,418            35%         26,406            32%         25,473
                    -------------         ---     -------------         ---     -------------         ---     -------------
    Total.........    $  30,941           100%      $  37,900           100%      $  83,509           100%         86,101
                    -------------         ---     -------------         ---     -------------         ---     -------------
                    -------------         ---     -------------         ---     -------------         ---     -------------
 
<CAPTION>
 
                        % OF
                      NET SALES
                    -------------
<S>                 <C>
OEMs..............          70%
Distributors and
 IBDs.............          30%
                           ---
    Total.........         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  Sales,"
"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
 
                                       34
<PAGE>
   
the  following March and  April. The Company currently  has five distributors in
the United States, all  of 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 sells directly to IBDs at prices that typically are equal
to or in excess of prices  available through third party distributors and  often
for  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.
    
 
                                       35
<PAGE>
    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 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 Products  (a division of
LDI, Ltd.), which  manufactures Manitou products  ("Manitou"), 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,  Manitou 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
    
 
                                       36
<PAGE>
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."
 
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. In addition,
if  any person were to  assert valid claims 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 design  or alter  its products  or production  methods so  as to  avoid  such
infringement  at a  reasonable cost or  to negotiate an  acceptable licensing or
other arrangement with such  person, the Company could,  among other things,  be
precluded  from making  or marketing  products containing  such features  and be
required to make payments  to such person, which  could have a material  adverse
effect on the Company or its prospects. See "Risk Factors--Limited Protection of
Technology."
 
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 San Jose, 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
    
 
                                       37
<PAGE>
   
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. See "Risk Factors--Product Liability."
 
   
    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
 
                                       38
<PAGE>
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.
    
 
   
    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."
 
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.
 
                                       39
<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                    41   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, which 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.
    
 
                                       40
<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 hereinafter defined), which  required
the  stockholders named therein to vote  for such nominees. Such provisions will
terminate immediately following the consummation  of the Offering. See  "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
will 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 Certificate of  Incorporation and 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 Company also intends
to enter  into indemnification  agreements  with certain  of its  directors  and
officers  providing  for the  foregoing.  The effect  of  such provisions  is 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.
 
                                       41
<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 per year during the first four  fiscal years or an aggregate of $5
million over five  fiscal years, beginning  with the 1996  fiscal year. Each  of
Messrs.  Simons and  Turner earned  approximately $1.1  million pursuant  to the
Bonus Plan for the 1996 fiscal year. The Company intends to use the net proceeds
of the Offering to, among other things, make payments of $3.7 million to each of
Messrs. Simons and Turner in consideration  of their agreement to terminate  the
Bonus Plan.
    
 
   
    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  $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 Company will pay to
    
 
                                       42
<PAGE>
   
Messrs.  Simons or Turner, as the case may be,  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. 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 Stock Rights (as  defined
below)  to purchase shares of Holdings  Common Stock into identical Stock Rights
to purchase shares of Common Stock.
 
    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, including  stock splits  and dividends  on the Common
Stock. 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, nonstatutory  stock options  and stock  purchase rights  (collectively,
"Stock Rights") to employees and directors of the Company.
    
 
    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 or in tandem  with
other  awards under the  Stock Plan, or  cash awards 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
(including employees who are officers or directors) of the Company or any parent
or subsidiary of the Company, and nonstatutory stock options and stock  purchase
rights  may be granted to  employees and directors of the  Company or any of its
subsidiaries.
 
    The exercise price of options will be determined by the Committee; PROVIDED,
that (i) incentive stock options may not be granted with option exercise  prices
less  than the Fair  Market Value (as defined  in the Stock  Plan) of the Common
Stock on the date of grant, (ii)  options granted to employees who, at the  time
of  such grant, own 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 option exercise prices less than 110% of
the  Fair  Market Value  of the  Common Stock  on  the date  of grant  and (iii)
nonstatutory options may not  be granted with option  exercise prices less  than
85%  of the current 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 or pursuant to  stock
purchase  rights will be determined by the Committee, and may be a cash payment,
a payment in shares of the Common Stock or any combination thereof or any  other
form  of  consideration  permitted under  applicable  law. The  Stock  Plan also
provides that shares of  previously owned Common Stock  delivered in payment  of
the  option price will be valued at the  Fair Market Value of such shares on the
date of exercise of  the option or  purchase of the Common  Stock and must  have
been held by the optionee for a period of six months prior to surrender.
 
    Unless   the  Committee  determines  otherwise,   each  option  will  become
exercisable for 20%  of the shares  of the Common  Stock underlying such  option
each  year. All options  expire no more than  ten years after  the date of grant
other than those granted to optionees  who own stock representing more than  10%
of  the  voting power  of all  classes of  stock of  the Company  or any  of its
subsidiaries on the date  of grant, 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  and  conditions  as  the Committee
establishes and communicates  to the optionee  at the time  such offer is  made.
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 lifetime of the optionee only by
such optionee. The Stock Plan also provides
 
                                       43
<PAGE>
that if requested by  the Company or any  representative of the underwriters  in
connection  with the first two registration  statements relating to offerings of
any securities of the Company under the Securities Act, holders of Stock  Rights
may  not sell or  otherwise transfer the  shares acquired upon  exercise of such
Stock Rights during  the 180-day  period 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 property 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 options  outstanding thereunder will terminate
unless provision  is  made in  connection  with  such transaction  for  the  (a)
assumption of such options or (b) substitution for such options of new incentive
awards  covering the stock of  a successor employer 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,  so  long  as  any  such  amendment,  alteration,
suspension  or  termination  does  not  adversely  affect  Stock  Rights already
granted. The Stock Plan  will expire in May  2006, unless terminated earlier  by
the Board of Directors of the Company.
 
   
    In  May  1996,  11  employees  were granted  stock  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  option shares. 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 RECAPITALIZATION
 
   
    On March 24, 1995, Holdings issued 25,000 shares of Holdings Common Stock to
each  of Messrs. Simons and Turner and 50,000 shares of Holdings Common Stock to
certain persons and entities affiliated  with The Jordan Company. Holdings  also
issued  3,000 shares of Series A Preferred  Stock to MCIT. 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
 
                                       44
<PAGE>
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 other 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 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. Such provision will terminate upon the consummation of the
Offering.
    
 
   
    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
    
 
                                       45
<PAGE>
   
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  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."
    
 
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. 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  May 31, 1996,
Susslin had paid to Mr. Simons an aggregate of $579,238 pursuant to the  Susslin
Agreement.
    
 
                                       46
<PAGE>
    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 (a  director
and executive officer of the Company), 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."
 
                                       47
<PAGE>
                       PRINCIPAL AND SELLING STOCKHOLDERS
 
   
    The following table sets forth certain information regarding the  beneficial
ownership  of Common Stock as of August 15,  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
potential  Selling Stockholder if the  Underwriters' over-allotment is exercised
in full. 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>
DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS:
Stephen W. Simons (2)...............................................   2,050,000        25.0
Paul Turner (3).....................................................   2,050,000        25.0
John W. Jordan II (4)...............................................   2,427,350        27.5
Adam E. Max (5).....................................................     210,004         2.4
Robert Kaswen (6)...................................................      29,370      *
All directors and executive officers as a group (6 persons) (7).....   7,076,725        80.0
OTHER STOCKHOLDERS:
MCIT PLC (8)........................................................   2,100,042        23.8
Leucadia Investors, Inc (9).........................................     525,010         6.0
David W. Zalaznick (10).............................................   2,427,350        27.5
Jonathan F. Boucher (11)............................................     280,550         3.2
John R. Lowden (12).................................................     210,004         2.4
Thomas H. Quinn (13)................................................     209,916         2.4
A. Richard Caputo Jr. (14)..........................................     105,002         1.2
Paul A. Rodzevik (15)...............................................      33,083      *
James E. Jordan Jr. (16)............................................       8,273      *
</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           shares (        shares after the  Offering) held by The
    Simons Revocable Trust, of  which Mr. Simons and  Debra Simons, Mr.  Simons'
    wife,  are trustees. Also includes           shares (       shares after the
    Offering) 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
    shares (         shares  after the  Offering) 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.
 
 (3) Includes          shares (       shares after the Offering) 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
            shares (       shares after  the Offering) representing the  trust's
    interest in the Turner Partnership.
 
   
 (4)  Includes 327,308 shares (       shares after the Offering) held by John W.
    Jordan II Revocable  Trust, of  which Mr.  Jordan is  trustee and  2,100,042
    shares  (    shares after  the Offering) held  by MCIT, which  is advised by
    Jordan/Zalaznick Advisors, Inc., an entity controlled by Messrs. Jordan  and
    Zalaznick ("JZAI"). Mr. Jordan is a partner of The Jordan Company, an entity
    with which Messrs. Zalaznick,
    
 
                                       48
<PAGE>
   
    Boucher,  Lowden, Max, Caputo,  Rodzevik, Quinn and James  E. Jordan Jr. and
    Leucadia Investors,  Inc. ("Leucadia")  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  Messrs.
    John  W. Jordan II, Zalaznick, Boucher,  Lowden, Caputo, Rodzevik, Quinn and
    James E. Jordan Jr. 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 15,
    1996.
    
 
   
 (7) Includes 29,370 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 August 15, 1996.
    
 
   
 (8)  MCIT is  advised by JZAI,  an entity controlled  by John W.  Jordan II and
    David W. Zalaznick. The  principal address of  MCIT is c/o  Jordan/Zalaznick
    Advisers, Inc., 9 West 57th Street, New York, New York 10019.
    
 
   
 (9)  Leucadia  is an  affiliate of  The  Jordan Company,  an entity  with which
    Messrs. John W.  Jordan II,  Zalaznick, Boucher,  Lowden, Caputo,  Rodzevik,
    Quinn  and James E. Jordan Jr. are also affiliated. The principal address of
    Leucadia is 315 Park Avenue South, New York, New York 10010.
    
 
   
(10) Includes 2,100,042  shares (    shares  after the Offering)  held by  MCIT,
    which  is advised by JZAI, an entity controlled by Messrs. John W. Jordan II
    and Zalaznick. Mr. Zalaznick is a  partner of The Jordan Company, an  entity
    with  which  Messrs.  John  W.  Jordan  II,  Boucher,  Lowden,  Max, Caputo,
    Rodzevik, Quinn and James  E. Jordan Jr. and  Leucadia are also  affiliated.
    Mr.  Zalaznick's address is c/o The Jordan  Company, 9 West 57th Street, New
    York, New York 10019.
    
 
   
(11) Mr. Boucher  is a principal  of The  Jordan Company, an  entity with  which
    Messrs.  John W. Jordan II, Zalaznick,  Lowden, Max, Caputo, Rodzevik, Quinn
    and James E.  Jordan Jr.  and Leucadia  are also  affiliated. Mr.  Boucher's
    address  is c/o The Jordan  Company, 9 West 57th  Street, New York, New York
    10019.
    
 
   
(12) Mr. Lowden  is a  principal of  The Jordan  Company, an  entity with  which
    Messrs.  John W. Jordan II, Zalaznick, Boucher, Max, Caputo, Rodzevik, Quinn
    and James  E. Jordan  Jr. and  Leucadia are  also affiliated.  Mr.  Lowden's
    address  is c/o The Jordan  Company, 9 West 57th  Street, New York, New York
    10019.
    
 
   
(13) Mr. Quinn is a President and Chief Operating Officer of Jordan  Industries,
    Inc.,  an affiliate of The Jordan Company, an entity with which Messrs. John
    W. Jordan II, Zalaznick, Boucher, Lowden, Max, Caputo, Rodzevik and James E.
    Jordan Jr. and Leucadia are also affiliated. Mr. Quinn's address is c/o  The
    Jordan Company, 9 West 57th Street, New York, New York 10019.
    
 
   
(14)  Mr. Caputo  is a  principal of  The Jordan  Company, an  entity with which
    Messrs. John W. Jordan II, Zalaznick, Boucher, Max, Lowden, Rodzevik,  Quinn
    and  James  E. Jordan  Jr. and  Leucadia are  also affiliated.  Mr. Caputo's
    address is c/o The Jordan  Company, 9 West 57th  Street, New York, New  York
    10019.
    
 
   
(15)  Mr. Rodzevik is the Controller of The Jordan Company, an entity with which
    Messrs. John W. Jordan  II, Zalaznick, Boucher,  Lowden, Max, Caputo,  Quinn
    and  James E.  Jordan Jr. and  Leucadia are also  affiliated. Mr. Rodzevik's
    address is c/o The Jordan  Company, 9 West 57th  Street, New York, New  York
    10019.
    
 
   
(16)  Includes 8,273 shares (        shares after the Offering) that are held in
    the James E. Jordan Jr. Profit Sharing Plan & Trust. Mr. Jordan is President
    of the William  Penn Funds, an  affiliate of The  Jordan Company, an  entity
    with  which  Messrs. John  W. Jordan  II,  Zalaznick, Boucher,  Lowden, Max,
    Caputo and Quinn and Leucadia are  also affiliated. Mr. Jordan's address  is
    c/o The Jordan Company, 9 West 57th Street, New York, New York 10019.
    
 
                                       49
<PAGE>
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 owned after the Offering, by the following individuals and
entities will be as follows:                               . 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,  copies  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
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.  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 15 stockholders.  The transfer  agent
with respect to the Common Stock is       .
    
 
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  occur
immediately subsequent to 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
 
                                       50
<PAGE>
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 (i)  owns
15%  or  more of  the  corporation's voting  stock or  (ii)  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  or  further  registration under  the  Securities  Act. The
remaining 9,416,320  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."
 
                                       51
<PAGE>
    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, 596,320 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.....................................................................
Robertson, Stephens & Company LLC..........................................................
Jefferies & Company, Inc...................................................................
 
                                                                                             ----------
    Total..................................................................................
                                                                                             ----------
                                                                                             ----------
</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 $       per share of
Common Stock, and that the Underwriters may allow, and such dealers may reallow,
a discount not in excess of $      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.
 
   
    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  will  be  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, will be  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
    
 
                                       53
<PAGE>
   
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."  Application has been made  to have the Common  Stock
approved for quotation on The Nasdaq Stock Market under the symbol "RSHX."
    
 
    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.
 
                                    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.
 
                                       54
<PAGE>
               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  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   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.
    
 
                                       55
<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 August 23, 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 9,790,200 shares at June 30, 1996;
  Issued and outstanding: 8,820,000 shares in
   1994, 1995 and 1996 and 9,790,200 shares 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. (Old RockShox) in a series of transactions that occurred on March
24,  1995 (the  Recapitalization). 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. (RockShox).  The  transactions
described   in   this   paragraph   are   collectively   referred   to   as  the
Recapitalization.
    
 
   
    As part of  the Recapitalization, MCIT  PLC and other  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  $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  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 (collectively, 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  decline  or 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 supply 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, significant  delay, disruption  or cancellation  of a
vendor's  order  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 adversely
affect the bicycle industry, the Company's OEM customers or the Company's sales,
any of  which  could have  a  material adverse  effect  on the  Company  or  its
products.
    
 
    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 senior notes
and  the junior notes  and bank debt 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  the senior notes  and the junior 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  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
analysis 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.
    
 
                                      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)
    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.
 
    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
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 has $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  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. 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 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. Aggregate  salaries of $500,000  plus certain  additional
incentive compensation are payable annually. The incentive compensation is based
upon  the Company's  operating results  up to a  maximum of  $3,000,000 per year
during the first four fiscal years or  $10,000,000 for five fiscal years in  the
aggregate  for the Company's President and  Vice President of Advanced Research,
beginning with  the fiscal  year ended  March 31,  1996. Incentive  compensation
under  the Employment  Agreements totaled $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 between the Company  and Jordan is dated March  24,
1995  and  generally continues  until  April 1,  2000.  Under the  terms  of the
Consulting Agreement,  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  Jordan and $6,000,000 aggregate
principal amount of  junior notes to  certain stockholders of  the Company  (see
Note  1). Each of the  senior notes and the junior  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  senior notes contain 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) through 2002.
    
 
    STOCKHOLDERS AGREEMENT:
 
   
    The Company, Stephen Simons, Debra Simons, Paul Turner, MCIT PLC and certain
other 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. Such provision will  terminate
upon the consummation of the Offering.
    
 
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.
 
    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>
 
                                      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)
   
    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  as a
distribution on account of any class of the capital stock of Rockshox, except  a
dividend payable solely in shares of that class of stock.
    
 
   
    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>
    
 
    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:
 
                                      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)
    
 
9.  MANDATORILY REDEEMABLE PREFERRED STOCK ISSUED TO STOCKHOLDERS: (CONTINUED)
    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
which  the Company's common stockholders hold a minority of the surviving voting
stock. 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 liquidation  preference over  holders of  common
stock of $1,000 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. The Company's  export
sales  (including sales  to domestic  OEM's overseas  manufacturing operations),
which are all  denominated in U.S.  dollars and are  summarized as follows:  (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 Board of Directors and stockholders approved the 1996 Stock
Plan (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  (including employees who  are officers or  directors) of the
Company or  any parent  or subsidiary  of the  Company, and  nonstatutory  stock
options  and stock purchase rights may be  granted to employees and directors of
the Company or any of its subsidiaries.
    
 
    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)  incentive stock  options  may  not be  granted  with  option
exercise  prices less than fair  market value (as defined  in the Stock Plan) of
the common  stock  on the  date  of grant,  (ii)  options granted  to  employees
possessing  more than 10% of  the total combined voting  power of all classes of
stock of the Company may not have exercise prices less than 110% of fair  market
value  and (iii) nonstatutory options may not be granted with option prices less
than 85% of the fair market value.
 
    Each option will become  exercisable for 20% of  the shares of common  stock
underlying  such option each year,  or at a rate  determined by the compensation
committee of the Board of Directors. Options expire no more than ten years after
the date of grant other than those granted to optionees who own at least 10%  of
the  outstanding common stock on the date of grant, which will expire after five
years from the date of grant.
 
   
    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, 94,780 options
were exercisable.
    
 
                                      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)
   
    In June 1996, the Board of Directors  approved an increase in the number  of
authorized shares of common stock to 979,020.
    
 
   
    During  August 1996, the Board of  Directors and stockholders of the Company
approved the  transactions contemplated  by  the Agreement  and Plan  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.
    
 
                                      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: 9,790,200 shares actual,
   50,000,000 shares pro forma;
  Issued and outstanding: 8,820,000 shares actual,
   13,467,000 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 financial statements.
 
                                      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                   $       0.18
                                                                       -------------                 -------------
                                                                       -------------                 -------------
Shares used in per share computation.................................         9,240        4,644   (j)       13,884
                                                                       -------------      ------     -------------
                                                                       -------------      ------     -------------
</TABLE>
    
 
    The accompanying notes are an integral part of these pro forma condensed
                       consolidated financial statements.
 
                                      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)            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                     $       0.73
                                                                     ------------                     ------------
                                                                     ------------                     ------------
Shares used in per share computation...............................         9,240           4,644   (j)       13,844
                                                                     ------------  -----------------  ------------
                                                                     ------------  -----------------  ------------
</TABLE>
    
 
    The accompanying notes are an integral part of these pro forma condensed
                       consolidated financial statements.
 
                                      F-23
<PAGE>
                      RSX HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                   NOTES TO PRO FORMA CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED
                              FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                                  (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 payable, (iii)  the redemption of the Series A
and Series B Preferred  Stock, (iv) the payment  of $7,317,000 to the  Company's
President and Vice President of Advanced Research to terminate a bonus plan (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 4,644,286  shares  of common  stock  at $14  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  debt,  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 payable 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 payable,  (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 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  payable,  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 4,644,286 shares of common stock issued, net of expenses, to repay
    bank debt and  subordinated debt,  redeem Series  A and  Series B  Preferred
    Stock and to terminate the Bonus Plan.
    
 
   
    The  pro forma condensed consolidated statement 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>
- -------------------------------------------
                                     -------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------
                                     -------------------------------------------
 
    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.....................................          40
Certain Transactions...........................          44
Principal and Selling Stockholders.............          48
Description of Capital Stock...................          50
Shares Eligible for Future Sale................          51
Underwriting...................................          53
Legal Matters..................................          54
Experts........................................          54
Additional Information.........................          54
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               , 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
    
 
                                [ROCKSHOX LOGO]
 
                                 ROCKSHOX, INC.
 
                                  COMMON STOCK
 
                               -----------------
 
                                   PROSPECTUS
 
                               -----------------
 
                              MERRILL LYNCH & CO.
                         ROBERTSON, STEPHENS & COMPANY
                           JEFFERIES & COMPANY, INC.
 
                                          , 1996
 
- -------------------------------------------
                                     -------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------
                                     -------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
                                    PART II
                     INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
 
ITEM 13.  OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION.
 
    The  estimated expenses (other than  underwriting discounts and commissions)
payable by the Company in connection  with the issuance and distribution of  the
Common Stock to be registered hereby are as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                      <C>
SEC registration fee...................................................  $    26,768
NASD fees..............................................................        8,263
NASDAQ Listing Fee.....................................................            *
Printing and engraving expenses........................................            *
Management fees........................................................            *
Legal fees and expenses................................................            *
Accounting fees and expenses...........................................            *
Blue Sky expenses (including legal fees)...............................            *
Transfer agent fees and expenses.......................................            *
Miscellaneous expenses.................................................            *
                                                                         -----------
  Total................................................................  $         *
                                                                         -----------
                                                                         -----------
</TABLE>
 
- ------------------------
* To be filed by amendment.
 
ITEM 14.  INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS.
 
    The  Company is incorporated  in Delaware. Under Section  145 of the General
Corporation Law of the  State of Delaware (the  "DGCL"), a Delaware  corporation
generally has the power to indemnify its present and former directors, officers,
employees  and  agents  against expenses  and  liabilities incurred  by  them in
connection with  any  action, suit  or  proceeding to  which  they are,  or  are
threatened  to be made, a party by reason of their serving in those positions so
long as they acted in good faith and in a manner they reasonably believed to  be
in,  or not opposed to,  the best interests of the  company, and with respect to
any criminal action or proceeding,  so long as they  had no reasonable cause  to
believe  their conduct  was unlawful.  The statute  expressly provides  that the
power to indemnify  authorized thereby is  not exclusive of  any rights  granted
under  any bylaw, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors, or
otherwise. The Certificate  of Incorporation of  the Company and  Bylaws of  the
Company provide for indemnification of present and former directors and officers
of  the Company and persons serving  as directors, officers, employees or agents
of other corporations or  entities at the  request of the  Company, each to  the
fullest extent permitted by the DGCL.
 
    Section  102(b)(7) of the DGCL provides  that a certificate of incorporation
may contain a  provision eliminating  or limiting  the personal  liability of  a
director  to the corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach
of fiduciary  duty  as  a  director, provided  that  such  provision  shall  not
eliminate  or  limit the  liability  of a  director (i)  for  any breach  of the
director's duty of loyalty to the corporation or its stockholders, (ii) for acts
or omissions not  in good  faith or which  involve intentional  misconduct or  a
knowing  violation of  law, (iii) under  Section 174 (relating  to liability for
unauthorized acquisitions or redemptions of, or dividends on, capital stock)  of
the  DGCL,  or (iv)  for any  transactions  from which  the director  derived an
improper personal  benefit.  The Certificate  of  Incorporation of  the  Company
contains such a provision.
 
   
    The  Company intends to obtain insurance for the protection of its directors
and officers against claims asserted against them in their official  capacities.
The  Company also intends to enter  into indemnification agreements with certain
of its directors and officers providing for the foregoing.
    
 
    The purchase agreement among the Company  and each of the underwriters  (the
"Underwriters")   and  the  selling  stockholders  named  in  this  Registration
Statement (the "Purchase Agreement") will provide for
 
                                      II-1
<PAGE>
indemnification by  the  Underwriters  of directors,  officers  and  controlling
persons  of the Company against certain liabilities, including liabilities under
the Securities Act  of 1933, as  amended (the "Securities  Act"), under  certain
circumstances.
 
    The preceding discussion of the Certificate of Incorporation of the Company,
the  Bylaws of the Company, the Purchase  Agreement and the DGCL is not intended
to be exhaustive and is qualified in  its entirety by reference to the  complete
texts  of the  Certificate of  Incorporation of the  Company, the  Bylaws of the
Company and  the Purchase  Agreement, which  are included  in this  Registration
Statement at Exhibits 3.1, 3.2 and 1.1, respectively, and to the DGCL.
 
ITEM 15.  RECENT SALES OF UNREGISTERED SECURITIES.
 
   
    On  March 24, 1995, Stephen Simons, Debra Simons and Paul Turner transferred
all of the outstanding shares in the Company's predecessor to RSx Holdings Inc.,
a Delaware  corporation  ("Holdings"), and  RSx  Acquisition, Inc.,  a  Delaware
corporation  that later became a wholly owned subsidiary of Holdings, for 50% of
the outstanding common stock of  Holdings ("Holdings Common Stock"), $6  million
aggregate principal amount of 13.5% junior subordinated notes of Holdings, 4,000
shares  of Series B Preferred Stock  of Holdings and approximately $40.3 million
in cash. Also  on March  24, 1995,  MCIT PLC  and certain  persons and  entities
affiliated  with  The Jordan  Company purchased  the  remaining 50%  of Holdings
Common Stock  and  3,000 shares  of  Series A  Preferred  Stock of  Holdings  in
consideration  of approximately $3.5 million. Holdings also issued $11 aggregate
million principal amount of 13.5% senior subordinated notes to MCIT PLC on  such
date.  All of such issuances of securities  by Holdings were made in reliance on
the exemption from registration provided by  Section 4(2) of the Securities  Act
on the basis that no public offering was involved.
    
 
ITEM 16.  EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES.
 
    (A)  EXHIBITS
 
   
<TABLE>
<C>        <S>
      1    Purchase Agreement, dated            , 1996, among RockShox, Inc., Merrill Lynch,
            Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, on behalf of the several underwriters, and
            the selling stockholders named therein.**
      2    Form of Agreement and Plan of Merger between RSx Holdings, Inc. and RockShox,
            Inc.**
      3.1  Form of Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of RockShox, Inc.**
      3.2  Form of Amended and Restated Bylaws of RockShox, Inc.**
      4    Form of Common Stock Certificate of RockShox, Inc.**
      5    Opinion of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom.**
     10.1  Stock Purchase Agreement, dated March 24, 1995, among Stephen Simons, Debra
            Simons, Paul Turner, RSx Holdings, Inc. and RSx Acquisition, Inc.*
     10.2  Management Consulting Agreement, dated as of March 24, 1995, between TJC
            Management Corporation and RSx Holdings, Inc.*
     10.3  Purchase Agreement, dated as of March 23, 1995, between RSx Holdings, Inc. and
            MCIT PLC.*
     10.4  Subscription and Stockholders Agreement, dated as of March 24, 1995, among RSx
            Holdings, Inc., Stephen Simons, Debra Simons, Paul Turner and other stockholders
            named therein.*
     10.5  Form of Registration Rights Agreement among RockShox, Inc., Stephen Simons, Debra
            Simons, Paul Turner and other stockholders named therein.**
     10.6  RSx Holdings, Inc. 1996 Stock Plan*
     10.7  Employment Agreement, dated as of March 24, 1995, between RSx Holdings, Inc. and
            Stephen Simons*
</TABLE>
    
 
                                      II-2
<PAGE>
   
<TABLE>
<C>        <S>
     10.8  Form of Amended and Restated Employment Agreement between RockShox, Inc. and
            Stephen Simons.**
     10.9  Employment Agreement, dated as of March 24, 1995, between RSx Holdings, Inc. and
            Paul Turner.*
    10.10  Form of Amended and Restated Employment Agreement between RockShox, Inc. and Paul
            Turner.**
    10.11  Noncompetition Agreement, dated March 24, 1995, between RSx Holdings, Inc. and
            Stephen Simons.*
    10.12  Noncompetition Agreement, dated March 24, 1995, between RSx Holdings, Inc. and
            Debra W. Simons.*
    10.13  Noncompetition Agreement, dated March 24, 1995, between RSx Holdings, Inc. and
            Paul Turner.*
    10.14  Consultant Agreement, dated as of January 1, 1994, by and between Simons &
            Susslin, Inc. and Stephen Simons.*
    10.15  Form of Lease, dated as of May 1, 1994, between Charcot Center Joint Venture and
            RockShox, Inc.*
    10.16  Form of First Amendment to Lease, dated as of August 15, 1994, between Charcot
            Center Joint Venture and RockShox, Inc.*
    10.17  Lease, dated as of October 1, 1995, between Whitecliffe I Apartments, Ltd. and
            RockShox, Inc.*
    10.18  Form of Indemnity Agreement.**
     11    Statement regarding computation of net income (loss) per share.
     21    List of Subsidiaries of RockShox, Inc.*
     23.1  Consent of Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P.
     23.2  Consent of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom (included as part of the opinion
            submitted as Exhibit 5).**
     24    Power of attorney.*
     27    Financial Data Schedule.
</TABLE>
    
 
- ------------------------
   
*  Previously filed.
    
   
** To be filed by amendment.
    
 
    (B)  FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
 
    Schedule II    Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
 
ITEM 17.  UNDERTAKINGS.
 
    (a)   The  undersigned  registrant  hereby  undertakes  to  provide  to  the
underwriter  at   the  closing   specified  in   the  underwriting   agreements,
certificates  in such denominations and registered  in such names as required by
the underwriter to permit prompt delivery to each purchaser.
 
    (b) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the  Securities
Act  of 1933 may be permitted to  directors, officers and controlling persons of
the  registrant  pursuant  to  the  foregoing  provisions,  or  otherwise,   the
registrant  has been advised that in the  opinion of the Securities and Exchange
Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act
and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for  indemnification
against  such liabilities (other than the  payment by the registrant of expenses
incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the  registrant
in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such
director,  officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being
registered, the  registrant will,  unless  in the  opinion  of its  counsel  the
 
                                      II-3
<PAGE>
matter  has  been  settled  by  controlling  precedent,  submit  to  a  court of
appropriate jurisdiction  the question  whether such  indemnification by  it  is
against  public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final
adjudication of such issue.
 
    (c) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that:
 
        (1) For purposes of determining  any liability under the Securities  Act
    of  1933, the information omitted from the  form of prospectus filed as part
    of this registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in a
    form of prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1) or (4)
    or 497(h)  under the  Securities Act  shall be  deemed to  be part  of  this
    registration statement as of the time it was declared effective.
 
        (2)  For the purpose  of determining any  liability under the Securities
    Act  of  1933,  each  post-effective  amendment  that  contains  a  form  of
    prospectus  shall be deemed  to be a new  registration statement relating to
    the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at  that
    time shall be deemed to be the initial BONA FIDE offering thereof.
 
                                      II-4
<PAGE>
                                   SIGNATURES
 
   
    Pursuant  to the requirements of the  Securities Act of 1933, the registrant
has duly caused this registration  statement to be signed  on its behalf by  the
undersigned,  thereunto  duly authorized,  in  the City  of  San Jose,  State of
California, on August 23, 1996.
    
 
                                          ROCKSHOX, INC.
 
   
                                          By:      /S/ CHARLES E. NOREEN JR.
    
 
                                             -----------------------------------
   
                                              Name: Charles E. Noreen Jr.
                                             Title: Chief Financial Officer
    
 
   
    Pursuant  to  the  requirements  of   the  Securities  Act  of  1933,   this
registration  statement  has  been  signed  by  the  following  persons  in  the
capacities and on the dates indicated.
    
 
   
             SIGNATURE                         TITLE                  DATE
- -----------------------------------  -------------------------  ----------------
 
                     *
- -----------------------------------  Chairman of the Board of   August 23, 1996
         John W. Jordan II            Directors
 
                     *
- -----------------------------------  President (Chief           August 23, 1996
         Stephen W. Simons            Executive Officer)
 
           /S/ CHARLES E. NOREEN
                JR.                  Chief Financial Officer
- -----------------------------------   (principal accounting     August 23, 1996
       Charles E. Noreen Jr.          officer)
 
                     *               Vice President of
- -----------------------------------   Advanced Research and     August 23, 1996
            Paul Turner               Director
 
                     *
- -----------------------------------  Director and Vice          August 23, 1996
            Adam E. Max               President
 
 *By:       /S/ CHARLES E. NOREEN
                JR.
- -----------------------------------
       Charles E. Noreen Jr.
         ATTORNEY-IN-FACT
 
    
 
                                      II-5
<PAGE>
                       REPORT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
                        ON FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULE
 
    In  connection with our audits of  the financial statements of RSx Holdings,
Inc. and Subsidiaries as of December 31,  1994 and March 31, 1995 and 1996,  and
for  the years ended  December 31, 1993  and 1994, the  three month period ended
March 31, 1995 and the year ended March 31, 1996, which financial statements are
included in  the Registration  Statement,  we have  also audited  the  financial
statement schedule listed in Item (16)(b) herein.
 
    In  our  opinion,  the  financial  statement  schedule,  when  considered in
relation to the basic financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly, in
all material respects, the information required to be included therein.
 
                                          COOPERS & LYBRAND L.L.P.
 
San Jose, California
May 21, 1996
 
                                      S-1
<PAGE>
                                                                     SCHEDULE II
 
                      RSX HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                       VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
                                 (IN THOUSANDS)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                        CHARGED
                                                                        BALANCE AT     TO COSTS     WRITE-OFF     BALANCE
                                                                         BEGINNING        AND          OF         AT END
                                                                         OF PERIOD     EXPENSES     ACCOUNTS     OF PERIOD
                                                                       -------------  -----------  -----------  -----------
<S>                                                                    <C>            <C>          <C>          <C>
Year ended December 31, 1993
  Allowance for doubtful accounts....................................    $      40                               $      40
  Allowance for excess and obsolete inventories......................
Year ended December 31, 1994
  Allowance for doubtful accounts....................................           40                  $      24           16
  Allowance for excess and obsolete inventories......................                  $      69                        69
Three months ended March 31, 1995
  Allowance for doubtful accounts....................................           16            32            7           41
  Allowance for excess and obsolete inventories......................           69                         24           45
Year ended March 31, 1996
  Allowance for doubtful accounts....................................           41         1,518          127        1,432
  Allowance for excess and obsolete inventories......................           45         2,009           45        2,009
</TABLE>
 
                                      S-2
<PAGE>
                               INDEX TO EXHIBITS
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
  EXHIBIT                                                                                              SEQUENTIAL
  NUMBER                                                                                               PAGE NUMBER
- -----------                                                                                         -----------------
<C>          <S>                                                                                    <C>
       1     Purchase Agreement, dated            , 1996, among RockShox, Inc., Merrill Lynch,
              Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, on behalf of the several underwriters, and the
              selling stockholders named therein.**
       2     Form of Agreement and Plan of Merger between RSx Holdings, Inc. and RockShox, Inc.**
       3.1   Form of Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of RockShox, Inc.**
       3.2   Form of Amended and Restated Bylaws of RockShox, Inc.**
       4     Form of Common Stock Certificate of RockShox, Inc.**
       5     Opinion of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom.**
      10.1   Stock Purchase Agreement, dated March 24, 1995, among Stephen Simons, Debra Simons,
              Paul Turner, RSx Holdings, Inc. and RSx Acquisition, Inc.*
      10.2   Management Consulting Agreement, dated as of March 24, 1995, between TJC Management
              Corporation and RSx Holdings, Inc.*
      10.3   Purchase Agreement, dated as of March 23, 1995, between RSx Holdings, Inc. and MCIT
              PLC.*
      10.4   Subscription and Stockholders Agreement, dated as of March 24, 1995, among RSx
              Holdings, Inc., Stephen Simons, Debra Simons, Paul Turner and other stockholders
              named therein.*
      10.5   Form of Registration Rights Agreement among RockShox, Inc., Stephen Simons, Debra
              Simons, Paul Turner and other stockholders named therein.**
      10.6   RSx Holdings, Inc. 1996 Stock Plan.*
      10.7   Employment Agreement, dated as of March 24, 1995, between RSx Holdings, Inc. and
              Stephen Simons.*
      10.8   Form of Amended and Restated Employment Agreement between RockShox, Inc. and Stephen
              Simons.**
      10.9   Employment Agreement, dated as of March 24, 1995, between RSx Holdings, Inc. and Paul
              Turner.*
      10.10  Form of Amended and Restated Employment Agreement between RockShox, Inc. and Paul
              Turner.**
      10.11  Noncompetition Agreement, dated March 24, 1995, between RSx Holdings, Inc. and
              Stephen Simons.*
      10.12  Noncompetition Agreement, dated March 24, 1995, between RSx Holdings, Inc. and Debra
              W. Simons.*
      10.13  Noncompetition Agreement, dated March 24, 1995, between RSx Holdings, Inc. and Paul
              Turner.*
      10.14  Consultant Agreement, dated as of January 1, 1994, by and between Simons & Susslin,
              Inc. and Stephen Simons.*
      10.15  Form of Lease, dated as of May 1, 1994, between Charcot Center Joint Venture and
              RockShox, Inc.*
      10.16  Form of First Amendment to Lease, dated as of August 15, 1994, between Charcot Center
              Joint Venture and RockShox, Inc.*
</TABLE>
    
<PAGE>
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
  EXHIBIT                                                                                              SEQUENTIAL
  NUMBER                                                                                               PAGE NUMBER
- -----------                                                                                         -----------------
<C>          <S>                                                                                    <C>
      10.17  Lease, dated as of October 1, 1995, between Whitecliffe I Apartments, Ltd. and
              RockShox, Inc.*
      10.18  Form of Indemnity Agreement.**
      11     Statement regarding computation of net income (loss) per share.
      21     List of Subsidiaries of RockShox, Inc.*
      23.1   Consent of Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P.
      23.2   Consent of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom (included as part of the opinion
              submitted as Exhibit 5).**
      24     Power of attorney.*
      27     Financial Data Schedule.
</TABLE>
    
 
- ------------------------
   
 * Previously filed.
    
   
** To be filed by amendment.
    

<PAGE>
                                                                      EXHIBIT 11
 
                      RSX HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
         STATEMENT REGARDING COMPUTATION OF NET INCOME (LOSS) PER SHARE
                     (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                  THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH
                                            YEAR ENDED DECEMBER                                           THREE MONTHS ENDED
                                                    31,                     31,             YEAR ENDED         JUNE 30,
                                            --------------------  ------------------------   MARCH 31,   --------------------
                                              1993       1994                      1995        1996        1995       1996
                                            ---------  ---------      1994       ---------  -----------  ---------  ---------
                                                                  -------------
                                                                   (UNAUDITED)                               (UNAUDITED)
<S>                                         <C>        <C>        <C>            <C>        <C>          <C>        <C>
Weighted average shares of common stock...      8,820      8,820        8,820        8,820       8,820       8,820      8,820
Dilutive stock options pursuant to SAB No.
 83.......................................        420        420          420          420         420         420        420
                                            ---------  ---------       ------    ---------  -----------  ---------  ---------
                                            ---------  ---------       ------    ---------  -----------  ---------  ---------
Shares used in per share calculation......      9,240      9,240        9,240        9,240       9,240       9,240      9,240
                                            ---------  ---------       ------    ---------  -----------  ---------  ---------
                                            ---------  ---------       ------    ---------  -----------  ---------  ---------
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
                                            ---------  ---------        ------   ---------  -----------  ---------  ---------
                                            ---------  ---------        ------   ---------  -----------  ---------  ---------
</TABLE>
    
 
- --------------------------
There is no difference in net income (loss) per share computed under both the
primary and fully diluted basis.

<PAGE>
                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.1
 
                       CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
 
   
    We  consent  to the  inclusion in  this registration  statement on  Form S-1
(Registration Number 333-8069) of our report dated May 21, 1996, except for Note
14, as to  which the date  is August 23,  1996, on our  audits of the  financial
statements  and  the  financial statement  schedule  of RSx  Holdings,  Inc. and
Subsidiaries. We also  consent to the  reference to our  firm under the  caption
"Experts."
    
 
                                          COOPERS & LYBRAND L.L.P.
 
   
San Jose, California
August 23, 1996
    

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AS OF JUNE 30, 1996 AND THE RELATED CONSOLIDATED
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS, STOCKHOLDERS EQUITY (DEFICIT) AND CASH FLOWS FOR THE
THREE MONTHS PERIOD ENDED JUNE 30, 1996, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY
REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          MAR-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             APR-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1996
<CASH>                                            2914
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                     5736
<ALLOWANCES>                                      1421
<INVENTORY>                                       7762
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                 20996
<PP&E>                                            5211
<DEPRECIATION>                                    1672
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                   28665
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            19199
<BONDS>                                          43750
                             7449
                                          0
<COMMON>                                            88
<OTHER-SE>                                     (45010)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                     28665
<SALES>                                          21378
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                 21378
<CGS>                                            13733
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                     4159
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                1341
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                   2194
<INCOME-TAX>                                       845
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                  0
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                      1349
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.14
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.14
        

</TABLE>


© 2022 IncJournal is not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission