Niner (bicycle company)

Niner is an American bicycle manufacturer headquartered in Fort Collins, Colorado, that specializes in 29er mountain bikes. The company also offers several models of cyclocross and adventure-touring bikes. The firm filed for bankruptcy in November 2017.[1] In February 2018, the firm was acquired by Emersion International Limited (EIL).[2]

Niner
IndustryBicycles
Founded2005 (2005)
FounderChris Sugai (president and CEO), Steve Domahidy
HeadquartersFort Collins, Colorado, United States
ProductsMountain Bikes
Cyclocross Bikes
Touring Bikes
Websitewww.ninerbikes.com

History

Niner was founded in 2005 by Chris Sugai and Steve Domahidy. Chris currently serves as the company's president and CEO. Since the company's inception, Niner has primarily focused on designing mountain bikes with 29” wheels (commonly referred to as "29ers" in the mountain biking community). According to Sugai, Niner's first bike was a scandium single-speed 29er.[3]

As the popularity of 29er mountain bikes began to grow during the late-2000s and early-2010s, the Niner brand also began to grow.[4] In 2011, the Niner bike company was recognized by Forbes (“List of America’s Most Promising Companies”).[5]

Originally headquartered in California, Niner moved its primary base of operations to a 39,000-square-foot building in Fort Collins, Colorado in 2016.[6]

In November 2017, Niner Inc. filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection ahead of a planned acquisition by an investor group. [7] Several months later, in March 2018, Niner announced they had been acquired by UWHK Ltd., a Hong Kong-based investment firm known for owning Huffy Corp. [8]

Niner is a supporter of the International Mountain Bike Association (IMBA).[9]


Design and Manufacturing

As of 2012, Niner bikes are designed in SolidWorks, and virtually tested and simulated using CATIA, including virtual strength and stress analysis. Manufacturing of Niner bikes takes place in Asia. The brand has more than 300 dealers across the United States and Niner bikes are sold in 40 countries.[10]

Carbon Compaction System

Several Niner models now feature a new proprietary manufacturing process called Carbon Compaction System, which utilizes rigid internal molds. According to the company, this creates a tighter, more consistent compaction of carbon layers, resulting in increased wall thickness precision, reduced resin pooling, and increased strength.[11]

Industry Collaboration

Niner recently collaborated with Push Industries, a Northern Colorado company specializing in bike suspension parts, to develop a customized shock specifically for the RIP 9 RDO.[12]

Products

As of 2017, the range of complete bikes available from Niner includes full-suspension mountain bikes, hardtail mountain bikes, cyclocross bikes, and adventure-touring bikes (also called "gravel bikes"). The company also offers a selection of bike components, including frame parts, forks, wheels, handlebars, and seat posts.

References
  1. Frothingham, Stephen (November 29, 2017). "Niner files for bankruptcy ahead of planned sale". Bicycle Retailer. Laguna Hills, California. Retrieved November 30, 2017.
  2. "Niner acquired by investment firm Emersion". Bicycle Retailer and Industry News. Retrieved 2018-02-27.
  3. Kazimer, Mike (20 December 2016). "From the Top: Chris Sugai of Niner Bikes". Pinkbike. Retrieved 5 October 2017.
  4. Felton, Vernon (4 March 2013). "Exclusive: War of the Wheel Sizes". Bikemag. Retrieved 5 October 2017.
  5. "Most Promising Companies (2011)". Forbes. Forbes Media LLC. Retrieved 5 October 2017.
  6. Tracy, Kate (12 January 2017). "Local Firm Takes Second Run at Gravel Bikes". Business Den. Retrieved 5 October 2017.
  7. Frothingham, Stephen (27 November 2017). "Niner files for bankruptcy ahead of planned sale". Bicycle Retailer. Retrieved 12 March 2018.
  8. Wiebe, Matt; Frothingham, Stephen (12 March 2018). "Niner sale closes; new owner also owns Huffy Corp". Bicycle Retailer. Retrieved 12 March 2018.
  9. "NINER & IMBA" (PDF). Niner Bikes.
  10. Carter, Beth (9 October 2012). "Building Sweet Bikes and a 'Business of the Future'". Wired. Retrieved 5 October 2017.
  11. "Niner Carbon: Above and Beyond". Niner. Retrieved 5 October 2017.
  12. "Niner Bikes and Push Industries Collaborate on New Bike/Shock Design". Bicycle Retailer. 21 April 2017. Retrieved 5 October 2017.
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