Why did Felt stop making mountain bikes? This article will discuss Felt’s approach to mountain bikes, Jim Felt’s exit and how Rossignol acquired a large percentage of the company. You’ll also learn about Bayonet Fork technology from YT Industries, which Felt has adapted for mountain bikes. Felt has been a pioneer of mountain bike technology for decades.
Felt’s approach to mountain bikes
Felt’s approach to mountain bikes is not surprising. The company has been a leader in the performance sector for decades, putting out bikes that set new standards in the sport. The company’s products are made using industry-leading construction techniques. Felt’s Edict FRD, for example, features TeXtreme(r) carbon fiber from Sweden-based Oxeon. The company claims that it cut 450 grams from the previous model’s chassis, making the frame 15% stiffer.
Felt has long been an innovative company, making bikes that are built to be fun to ride. It is notable that the company has made its way from humble beginnings to becoming a leading brand in road cycling and triathlon. Their bikes offer speed, comfort, and performance that make them ideal for racing, competitions, and everyday road trips. In addition to their dedication to mountain bikes, Felt also manufactures a wide variety of bicycles for road, gravel, and triathlon.
In 2014, Felt has taken an entirely different approach to mountain bikes, moving away from the 26-inch Virtue line and towards 29-inch models. Felt has also redesigned the Virtue, the company’s trail-oriented bike, and has introduced the Virtue Nine line. Carbon and aluminum versions are scheduled to be available in fall 2013, allowing riders to start riding the Virtue Nine as early as the winter. This series is designed to improve the handling and stability of the Virtue line. The Equilink suspension system helps keep the rider’s position neutral, and it helps the bike’s frame design and geometry match the corresponding components.
Jim Felt’s departure
The decision to leave Felt Bicycles comes as no surprise to anyone who knows the founder. Felt is a venerable name in the bicycle industry, with an impressive history of innovation. Founded in 1991 by Jim Felt, the company later became an icon of performance cycling. Felt worked for Easton Sports for many years, eventually selling it to a French company called Groupe Rossignol. In 2001, Felt became a complete bicycle brand, partnering with European bike builder Michael Mullmann.
While Jim Felt left the company, his successor Bill Duehring will continue to lead the brand. Felt Bicycles will transition to a new ownership group led by Groupe Rosignol. The company was previously based in Irvine, California, but has since relocated to Rancho Santa Margarita, CA. After a major overhaul, the company has been producing bikes for more than 25 years.
The decision to sell Felt Bicycles was a difficult one. Despite being an icon of the bike industry, Felt did not announce his plans publicly. In March 2017, he met with his new partners at KTM’s $50 million SoCal headquarters. The two companies later came to an agreement on the sale of the Felt brand and business. The Time business, which had been in the hands of Jim Felt, will now be managed by SRAM. Felt’s team will join the newly created group.
Rossignol’s acquisition of Felt Bicycles
After buying Time Sport International in 2015, French ski manufacturer Rossignol has expanded into the cycling industry. Felt, which has been active in the cycling industry since 1994, will become a part of the French company. The deal will double Rossignol’s current cycling sales, which are $60 million annually. The company plans to introduce new mountain bikes in 2018 as part of the new ownership structure.
The acquisition will give Rossignol a foot in the pedal powered two-wheel industry, as well as combustion-powered motorocycles and e-scooters. Pierer’s investment will benefit Felt’s R&D and manufacturing capabilities, which have been crucial to the company’s racing success. While the acquisition isn’t necessarily a bad thing, Felt’s product lineup will be less diverse than that of its parent company.
Founded in 1991, FELT Bicycles has always been a staple in the triathlon world, with the company producing many of the most innovative bikes for the sport. Founded by ex-Easton man Jim Felt, the company has since branched out into road racing and cyclocross. Felt has also sponsored Olympic stage winners and Tour de France champions. Since the acquisition by Rossignol, Felt has streamlined its product line, rebranded its messaging, and reconfigured its dealer network.
While Felt Bicycles is not the only brand that produces mountain bikes, the two companies share a common heritage. The two companies work hand-in-hand to create innovative products. The company is known for its high-performance mountain bikes. The company has a diverse range of mountain bikes including hybrid and e-bikes. Its goal is to create a mountain lifestyle brand that will remain competitive, while also catering to its customers’ needs.
YT Industries’ Bayonet Fork technology
YT Industries was founded in 2008 by Markus Flossmann to provide talented dirt jump riders with competitive mountain bikes. The name of the company reflects this philosophy. The company offers a wide range of products for all skill levels, from entry-level to highly advanced, and is a direct-to-consumer brand. Because of this, riders can expect exceptional quality at an affordable price.
Stumpjumper mountain bike
The Stumpjumper mountain bike was made by Specialized, and has been part of the company’s mountain bike line since 1981. Initially a 26″ wheeled, fully rigid bike, the Stumpjumper eventually evolved into a hardtail with a suspension fork. Its name was made famous by pro riders such as Ned Overend, who rode one of the first Stumpjumper models to win two World Cups and NORBA national championships. Specialized has made many versions of the Stumpjumper, including a hardtail with a triple chainset and a stout mud-resistance frame.
The latest version features a new carbon frame with a new, innovative internal cable routing system. This feature borders on black magic. The new suspension geometry is long-travel, and the rear shock is designed with progressive kinematics to minimize bottom-out during big hits. Moreover, the Stumpjumper’s frame eliminates the need for a proprietary shock mount, meaning that any aftermarket shock will fit the bike.
Stumpjumper models have different price ranges, depending on the type of rider. Standard models are priced at $3,600, while the Epic Evo are meant for lightweight riders. The Stumpjumper is currently available in alloy and carbon versions. The Comp Alloy costs around $3,600, while the Comp Carbon is priced at $4,200. The S-Works carbon models, with their custom frame, start at $15,900.
YT Industries’ Avigo mountain bike
YT Industries is an upstart German brand that produces high performance mountain bikes at a price consumers can afford. Founded by an ex-professional weightlifter, Markus Flossman has since made the company’s name synonymous with affordable mountain bikes. The name YT actually stands for “Young Talent,” and he’s already signed world-class downhill rider Aaron Gwin to their team. Gwin won the 2016 World Cup Downhill Championship on a YT bike, and he’s done it again this year.
YT Industries’ mission is to build a brand synonymous with peak-performance mountain bikes. Its design philosophy is also a driving force behind its success. The brand’s designers and engineers are closely involved in the production of every bike, from the smallest to the largest model. The YT Capra, a carbon-composite model built on Tues principles, took the enduro market by storm. However, YT was unable to produce enough bikes to meet demand. The company doubled its production schedule for the Capra, and had two-month lead times for most Capra models in 2015. In 2015, YT expanded to North America and Oceania, but still could not keep up with demand.
The brand’s logo and tagline have undergone some major changes. In addition to the new design, YT has brought back the “Young Talent” message to its website. “Young Talent” stands for “Young Talent,” and the company promotes this message through its website and videos. Videos starring Andreu Lacondeguy and Aaron Gwin illustrate how a young person can make a big impact on the sport. The bike itself is essentially the same as it was before, with the only difference being a new cassette.