Rumors have swirled for years about direct-to-consumer brand Canyon Bicycles opening their doors in the United States, but they truly were only rumors… until now.
According to a recent press release, Canyon will be officially opening their doors stateside in 2017. This major expansion is made possible by a partnership with U.S.-based TSG Consumer Partners, LLC.
“The partnership with U.S.-based TSG is invaluable in helping us successfully develop and navigate the American market, especially in light of its legal and economic particularities,” said Arnold. “This step enables us to realize a corporate goal set a long time ago and for which we’ve prepared exhaustively. We are excited to have found a partner in TSG; specifically, a partner that shares our vision, our values, and our goals,” according to the release.
Canyon has grown rapidly as a company, with a 6-year average of 30% year-over-year growth. Canyon has spent the past year further refining their process, which has paid off significantly: “in April 2016 Canyon shipped its greatest number of bikes and generated the highest turnover in any one month in its history,” according to the release. Compare this massive growth to consistent declines in sales from Shimano, Specialized downsizing their company, and SRAM posting recent sales declines.
Arnold claims that the demand for Canyon bikes in the US are very high, and I would say that assertion is valid. The masses continue to grow increasingly distraught at ever-increasing bike prices, with the ceiling being raised every single year. While Canyon isn’t a budget-level brand per se, they’ve developed an international reputation of creating high quality mountain bikes, and selling them at affordable prices.
A year ago, I got to sample the Canyon experience myself by riding a Canyon Spectral CF for a week in Sweden. Be sure to check out that review for full details, but the retail price for the bike I rode was about $4,000. Buying a comparably-spec’ed bike from a big-name brand in the US would easily cost $8,000 or more.
While direct-to-consumer brands tend to get a bad rap, in Canyon’s case all of the standard complaints simply don’t apply. These are not off-the-shelf frame or suspension designs–instead, the designs and engineering are all unique to Canyon. Canyon is also renowned for the build quality of their bikes, thanks to every single bike that they ship out being built in their factory and briefly ride tested by a real, live mechanic, before being partially disassembled and shipped. Finally, Canyon has also built a great reputation for standing behind their products and providing excellent warranty service if needed.
And best of all? If my experience is any indication, Canyon bikes ride pretty damn well. In my opinion, they can go head-to-head with the most boutique of mountain bike brands on the market today.
Arnold asserts that Americans are excited to finally be able to buy Canyon bikes. I don’t know if you can tell, but I’m one of them.
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