Classic brands you're surprised are still around
07-04-14, 10:09 PM
#78
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Hetchins and Rene Herse.....if only in name.
07-04-14, 10:12 PM
#79
Hopelessly addicted...
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SA is one I'm torn on for classification. They are no longer English and are owned by Sunrace. OTOH, they're still doing what they've been doing for ages: making internal gear hubs.
Since I'm soon building a wheel for my Norman Invader using a Sturmey S3X, I suppose they're English enough that I'll give them a pass on this one.
Since I'm soon building a wheel for my Norman Invader using a Sturmey S3X, I suppose they're English enough that I'll give them a pass on this one.
07-04-14, 10:26 PM
#81
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I'm adhering to the requirement that the company is still remaining a historic timeline of operation by their founders to those who inherited or placed in charge to run it.
Not those that were restructured due to bankruptcy, acquired, sold off, or a trademark legally transferred and resurrected.
The return of Suntour is an example. The new boutique freehub sets this new company is marketing, has nothing to do with the Suntour of the 20th century.
Not those that were restructured due to bankruptcy, acquired, sold off, or a trademark legally transferred and resurrected.
The return of Suntour is an example. The new boutique freehub sets this new company is marketing, has nothing to do with the Suntour of the 20th century.
07-04-14, 10:27 PM
#82
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Mercian:
"Mercian Cycles began in Derby in 1946 and are still building bespoke lightweight steel frames, by hand, using traditional frame-building methods with one craftsman building each frame from start to finish."
Mercian Cycles - Custom Cycle Frames & Cycle Shop
-Bandera
"Mercian Cycles began in Derby in 1946 and are still building bespoke lightweight steel frames, by hand, using traditional frame-building methods with one craftsman building each frame from start to finish."
Mercian Cycles - Custom Cycle Frames & Cycle Shop
-Bandera
07-04-14, 10:57 PM
#84
Junior Member
Suntour has been reborn, About ? SunXCD - Bicycle Components still making very nice stuff.
07-05-14, 02:46 AM
#85
Strong Walker
Some really prestigous names from the past like Ganna, Legnano or Umberto Dei are also still around.
07-05-14, 05:15 AM
#87
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I'm surprised that no one has mentioned Fuji. (unless I've missed it.)
Like many on this list, they've changed hands numerous times. But they're still making bikes.
Like many on this list, they've changed hands numerous times. But they're still making bikes.
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07-05-14, 06:43 AM
#88
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Nobody has also mentioned BH bikes. As a matter of fact, in the 8 years I've been here, I have noticed only 1 thread about BH bikes.
For those who don't know, BH was founded in 1909 in the Basque region of Spain by brothers Domingo, Juan and Cosme Beistegui. The “BH” in BH Bikes stands for Beistegui Hermanos, which means Beistegui Brothers. BH Bikes won the first Vuelta a Espana in 1935, and has won it six times since. It has been family owned, and in the same family since 1909. It has never been bought or sold, or out of business. I think it is the oldest, continuously family owned bike company in the world.
For those who don't know, BH was founded in 1909 in the Basque region of Spain by brothers Domingo, Juan and Cosme Beistegui. The “BH” in BH Bikes stands for Beistegui Hermanos, which means Beistegui Brothers. BH Bikes won the first Vuelta a Espana in 1935, and has won it six times since. It has been family owned, and in the same family since 1909. It has never been bought or sold, or out of business. I think it is the oldest, continuously family owned bike company in the world.
07-05-14, 07:31 AM
#89
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07-05-14, 09:08 PM
#92
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Thread Starter
Wow, thanks for the info on brands like Hetchins and Singer. I love those new classics.
Here's another component I just found: Tioga. You might remember the old magazine ads with John Tomac (scroll down). They still make MTB pedals, tires and saddles.
Here's another component I just found: Tioga. You might remember the old magazine ads with John Tomac (scroll down). They still make MTB pedals, tires and saddles.
07-06-14, 11:32 AM
#93
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Cannondale. Judging by the loose fillings, numb butts and road-buzz hands....I really wonder how they stayed in business. 
07-06-14, 12:51 PM
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Basso.
My 86 Basso Gap is one of the best bikes I ever rode, and Alcide Basso is still building them. Started in 1974 and going strong today. Not a huge presence in the States anymore as far as I can tell, but they are pretty big in Europe, especially Germany.
My 86 Basso Gap is one of the best bikes I ever rode, and Alcide Basso is still building them. Started in 1974 and going strong today. Not a huge presence in the States anymore as far as I can tell, but they are pretty big in Europe, especially Germany.
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07-06-14, 01:15 PM
#95
Senior Member
Dia-Compe is still slugging it out apparently. Company history here: https://velobase.com/ViewBrand.aspx?B...8-b72b4ad94936
They're not nearly the powerhouse they were in the 70's and 80's but you can still buy classic drop forged center-pulls at Rivbike and Gran Compe levers at Velo Orange.
They're not nearly the powerhouse they were in the 70's and 80's but you can still buy classic drop forged center-pulls at Rivbike and Gran Compe levers at Velo Orange.
Last edited by Saguaro; 07-06-14 at 01:23 PM.
07-06-14, 04:33 PM
#98
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Yes -- this book gives a very good account of what went wrong in the Schwinn dynasty. Couple it with Frank Berto's "The Birth of Dirt" to emphasize the big opportunity that got away -- the mountain bike, which was invented by a bunch of Marin County hippies who put gears, aluminum rims, and caliper brakes on old Schwinn middleweight frames.
Frank Schwinn would have missed the adult 10-speed boom if he hadn't caved in to his parts manager, Keith Kingbay, father of the derailleur-geared Varsinental.
Frank Schwinn would have missed the adult 10-speed boom if he hadn't caved in to his parts manager, Keith Kingbay, father of the derailleur-geared Varsinental.
07-06-14, 05:11 PM
#99
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The Waterford business model has absolutely nothing in common with the old Schwinn. They are completely separate entities with the only link that Richard Schwinn decided to start a custom bike building business.
If Waterford took over the Schwinn mantle, they would be out of business too.
If Waterford took over the Schwinn mantle, they would be out of business too.
07-06-14, 09:01 PM
#100
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They never recovered from that lost.
Cannondale was sold off to Dorel (sp?) Corp. IIRC, a French-Canadian company. Many models are now made in China.