SSU insolvency and the bike industry generally

[hick]

The Kona news is kinda sad. My first higher end mountain bike was a 92 Kona Explosif. Raced the shit out of it and rode it back from the auto shop just this week. I should say it was a great gravel bike as much logging ride as I rode on that thing.
The bike industry is such a roller coaster.


Sent from my iPhone using TGR Forums

[smmokan]

I was trying to remember when Spot bikes was founded - seems like they've been around for a while. Looking at the website doesn't give me the answer, but it does say that the people who own Spot were the founders of Avid brakes (sounds like they bought Spot after selling Avid to Sram). Thought that was interesting.

Correct, I think they bought Spot and rebranded everything (in addition to adding the FS bikes) about 10 years ago? They’re running 40% off sales right now, my guess is they are trying to sell off a bunch of inventory before it’s essentially worthless.

[Canada1]

The power of you tube.
I saw one of your rides on a you tubers video where the guy snapped the Spot frame in a relatively standard drop. It took them out of any consideration for me. It's funny how similarly the constant utilization of you tube by Ibis has arguably worked for them. I wonder if you tubers now have as much reach and influence as racers. Maybe even more?

[El Chupacabra]

The Kona news is kinda sad. My first higher end mountain bike was a 92 Kona Explosif. Raced the shit out of it and rode it back from the auto shop just this week. I should say it was a great gravel bike as much logging ride as I rode on that thing.
The bike industry is such a roller coaster.


Sent from my iPhone using TGR Forums

Kona always seemed like they made bikes to be fun to ride, like they were designed with some purpose in mind but make it fun too.

I have the last Explosif - a 2018 steel hardtail, 27.5, the only year they did boost dropout spacing.

Also an old Sutra touring bike, which is a keep it forever bike.

[east or bust]

Even more motivation to get my ‘07 Coiler fixed up.


Sent from my iPhone using TGR Forums

[smmokan]

The power of you tube.
I saw one of your rides on a you tubers video where the guy snapped the Spot frame in a relatively standard drop. It took them out of any consideration for me. It's funny how similarly the constant utilization of you tube by Ibis has arguably worked for them. I wonder if you tubers now have as much reach and influence as racers. Maybe even more?

Yes, I think they do have as much influence as racers - mostly because they have more reach than most racers these days. Plus, IME from talking to hundreds of customers over the years, most of the popular YT'ers (BKXC, Singletrack Sampler, Seth, etc) are a lot more approachable and relatable.

Also... I have to admit, it was pretty fun riding a broken frame with only a rear brake and half a handlebar down the last 8 miles of the Whole Enchilada.

[snowaddict91]

Even more motivation to get my ‘07 Coiler fixed up.


Sent from my iPhone using TGR Forums

Nice. I lusted after one of those for a long time, wanted to get one to match my Stab.

[MCS5280]

Planet Cyclery/Colorado Cyclist appears to be shutting their doors.

[toast2266]

Planet Cyclery/Colorado Cyclist appears to be shutting their doors.

Wow. That's kinda more surprising that a lot of these bike companies going out of business. Colorado Cyclist has been around forever.

[frorider]

Good chance the Kona brand will live on once the industry pendulum swings yet again. Whether or not the new owners will ‘get’ the brand is a different question.

I agree with the mtb journalist who observed that the Ouroboros appears to have been a passion project that had an announcement/release cycle complicated by senior mgmt shenanigans.

[EWG]

Wow. That's kinda more surprising that a lot of these bike companies going out of business. Colorado Cyclist has been around forever.

Yeah, this one surprises me too.

[SKIP IN7RO]

ride-the-rockies-canceled-due-to-low-registration

[Eluder]

Wow. That's kinda more surprising that a lot of these bike companies going out of business. Colorado Cyclist has been around forever.

Weren't they purchased by an investment firm Sterling Partners - Velo. Sound like bike guys to me.

[Eluder]

ride-the-rockies-canceled-due-to-low-registration

The just need a gravel route... nobody rides pavement anymore.

[skaredshtles]

The just need a gravel route... nobody rides pavement anymore.

They had a gravel route...