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WTF? RaceFace Closing its doors?

Written by Zach Overholt
12 Comments
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I’m having such a hard time believing this is true, but apparently it is quite serious, and it’s not April 1st. Unless this is an elaborate, almost month long April Fools joke, this will be a huge loss to the industry as one of the true pioneers in component manufacturing is closing its doors, for good.

After 18 years of pushing the limits with the famous Turbine LP cranks, Diabolus and Shore components, and a heritage of lightweight parts that could stand the rigors of true mountain biking, RaceFace will be missed.

The initial report from one of RaceFace’s own employees was just posted via PinkBike, which makes it seem all too real. Surely, the loyal following will be disheartened as the absence of RaceFace will leave a giant hole in the industry. More when we have it.
Zach Overholt
5,722 articles

Zach Overholt is the Editor in Chief of Bikerumor. He has been writing about what’s new in the bicycle world for 12+ years. Prior to that, Zach spent many years in the back of a bicycle shop building and repairing nearly every type of bike, while figuring out how to (occasionally) ride them.

Based in Ohio, Zach is now slowly introducing a new generation to cycling and still trying to figure out how to fit the most rides into a busy schedule as a new dad.

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Tyler Benedict
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Tyler Benedict
13 years ago

I just heard this through a reputable CO shop, too, whose Race Face rep said they were closing. I was trying to confirm before posting, but having their (ex?) employee at PB write it seems pretty legit. Truly sad.

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timmbers
timmbers
13 years ago

wheres the larger company to come along and buy em? spruce up the company, restructure and keep this innovative company alive!!?

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greg
greg
13 years ago

they havent come up with anything innovative in a long time. I say let em go. just like we shouldve done with GM.

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udder
udder
13 years ago

I reckon some company will buy the brand and start knocking out products again. Will it be the same? Nope. In the UK, distributors are doing this -buying olf bike brands and component brands and reviving them. They’re moving up the value chain to becoming vendors as well as distributors.
Chain Reaction Cycles has also got in the act – it’s bought up X-Lite and Nukeproof of late, and started making products again. In the case of Nukeproof, they now actually work, too. 😉 But basically, it’s a case of buying a distressed brand and slapping it on some catalogue products from Taiwan. The catalogue stuff is just fine – but it’s not necessarily made or designed in the same way as the original brand was. Hey ho.

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Chris Fabri
Chris Fabri
13 years ago

See:Trek.

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oh plz
oh plz
13 years ago

It happens. I have not bought RaceFace in a while.. Not sure if I agree with Greg’s FoxNews babble about GM. GM makes great products. Race Face going away does not affect the US economy. GM going away does – thousands of unemployed. It would be foolish to let them go belly-up.

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Danno
Danno
13 years ago

Bummaz. And I was just going to pair one of the new 2 ring Turbine cranks with SRAM XX

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lortz
lortz
13 years ago

sometimes kicking ass most of the time isn’t enough to compete in a market where people choose to buy cheap crap for cheap. 🙁 remember that when you make the tiny extra effort (or maybe +$5) to buy from an awesome small biz, it really makes an impact on overall product quality.

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steve m
steve m
13 years ago

Another boutique brand bites the dust. Ling Pao or Dae Yung with buy the name and start pumping the cheap ass stuff over to satiate the maws of the American rider.

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Gillis
Gillis
13 years ago

While skimming over the hundreds of comments over on Pinkbike, I came across this one posted a few days ago:
“Business owner got a huge loan from the bank based on fraudulent inventory valuation statements. With the money, he paid himself a ridiculous wage: >$30k/mo. Bank auditors finally figured out what was up and shut the place down. He’s facing a civil suit for the loan (over $3MM) as well as likely facing criminal charges.”

No way to confirm this, I’m just spreading the rumor. But it’s the only one that could make sense for such a quick shut-down.

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