Flyte out of bike business
 

Looks like Flyte is out of the bike business, just selling frames. Too bad, I liked the idea of ordering a bike exactly the way I wanted it. Back to the LBS in the future.
Kenal0

That sucks! When/why/how did this happen??!!

I am not sure when, where or how but if you look at their forums you will see that they do not answer the phones or answer too many emails. There was one post where someone ran into one of the guys and they told him they were just going to sell frames. Sounds a little strange but we shall see.
Kenal0

How certain is this? Has it already happened or is it just a rumor?

Probably couldn't source component groups affordably enough to make a decent profit selling complete bikes

I bet they'll be out of the frame business soon, too...

I'll have to keep an eye out for a clearance deal on an SRS-2...

It's too bad. They really are a great group of guys who sell a good product and stand behind it.

If you go to their web site, they no longer offer component options.

You'd better check the terms of your warrantee. They might not be standing behind it for very much longer.

Hehe... good point. Hopefully they can sell frames for 2 more years till my warranty runs out. :(

What about Leopard?

Is anyone saying they are out of business?

the leopard frames are the same carbon frames that blue competition sells, except they're priced a few hundred less. just fyi.

See, that's what I like about Flyte--they may be chino-import frames, but at least they're unique and not some re-badged cookie-cutter deal.

I thought that Flyte was bought out a year or so ago. It looks like Airborne.net had some problems in 2002, sold to Huffy Corp. In 2004 Huffy had some problems and Airborne split off again but left ownership of the name. Echelon Sports (Airborne's parent company) decided that they would no longer license the Airborne name and launched Flyte.net as a replacement for the US market. The Flyte name has been appearing on Airborne parts for a while and now will adorn the bike frames. Europe's division will still sell Airborne branded bikes.

I think they only sell in europe now. Kenal0, I think that the George Garner bike shop in Northbrook used to be a local dealer for Airborne.

All their Ti bikes were made in China for comparable prices to USA Ti of Lightspeed. I was considering them for a while before going with Lightspeed. The warranty of Lightspeed made all the difference in the world.

When BikesDirect cuts a deal with them and starts selling rebadged Flytes will they then be pieces of crap?

Actually Airborne ceased to exist in Europe as well, ans seems to have changed owners. The bikes and frames sold are now branded "Van Nicholas": www.vannicholas.com

Nope, just rebadged Flytes with uglier graphics, iffy components, and no way of verifying what they do for quality control. Similar to the current BD line.

But since you want to go there, here's why I think Flyte is different/better than BD:

1. Their frames, while imported, are of their own design. Airborne/Flyte have been known for actually having their own ideas re: frame design.

2. Call the company and you can talk to the one guy who assembled your bike.

3. No off-brand components on any of their bikes--Ultegra bikes actually have ALL Ultegra components, not just a rear derailleur. All available components are (or at least WERE) from brands like FSA, Easton, Zipp, Bontrager--all parts that you could actually find info on from the manufacturer's website. I'm still trying to find info on the "American Classic Victory" wheelset that's mentioned in the Immortal Pro thread...

4. Crash replacement warranties and lifetime frame warranties for all frames (some require a $49 charge for the lifetime warranty, though)

5. Flyte actually goes out and tries to stand on its own as a brand, with active support of racing and sponsorship of several Pro/high-cat teams-- They didn't buy a defunct brand name and try to stand on its old reputation.

That's why it's unfortunate that Flyte is scaling back and ditching the complete-bike business.

1. How do you know for sure? Have you seen their design calculations and design plan sets?

2. According to a post above they are not answering their phones or e-mails.

3. My LeChampion SL came with Ultegra 10 rear derailleur, front derailleur, cassette and shifters. You are taking the most recent BD Carbon Special and what they have done on it is not any different then what the big brand names do on some of the bikes I see in the LBS. Whats an off brand on their bikes, Shimano, Cane Creek, Ritchey?

4. Only good if you can get in touch with them (see #2). No good if they go belly up!

5. Maybe they should not have thrown away all of that money. If it was a good for business why are they having to "scale back"?

Have you ever rode one of the Motobecanes that you so despise?

Being a surgeon, I know you must be a smart guy who really pays attention to detail. So why not go out and try a Motobecane on your own, there are shops you can ride them at. Once you do this then come back and give a real opinion of the bikes, not one you got by reading ABH post.

I don't need to ride the bike to have an opinion of the company that sells them. I've never told anyone they were wrong for liking the way their Motobecane rides, and if they haven't had any problems, that's great. I would just never give BD or Motobecane my money because I don't want to support that kind of company.

I'll agree that it's both a huge problem and very disappointing that the guys at Flyte fell off the face of the Earth re: emails and phone calls.

Brings up and interesting point. Flyte said they would offer the full frame warranty on Airborne Ti frames sold, I think, after April 2002. Date has something to do with the Huffy mess. So where does this leave that warranty offer?

Also, I have nothing but high marks for the type of service that Flyte people offered. If they are caput they will land on thier feet somewhere.

Flyte has had a lot of ebay listings as of late and you could guess something was up.

Ok guys here's the bad news. I just by Flyte's warehouse in Springboro, OH. They are having a going out of business sale. The guy inside said they won't be selling frames soon either. He said the transition to Flyte didn't go well.
Maybe worth calling and making an offer on a frame.
Glad I bought a Litespeed and not a Zeppelin last year. It was close.

I was really surprised that this happened however it is a tough market and people go to the local LBS to buy a bike. They were in a niche market and there is a lot of competition with companies that have deep pockets.
I was disappointed that they did not come out and at least post the real story on their website. I think they at least owe that to their customers. I would respect them more for telling the truth.
Kenal0

I would think that FLYTE being such a highly regarded company would post this on their website and e-bay auctions and not decieve anyone with their liftime warranty.

Do I see another BD frame style on the horizon?