On its Instagram web page yesterday, KHS Bicycles posted a message informing the general public that it’ll shut its U.S. distribution enterprise after 50 years. Based in 1974 by Wen and Susan Hsieh, KHS Bicycles, identified primarily for its mountain bikes, will formally stop operations on Could 31, 2026. This announcement doesn’t have an effect on KHS Taiwan, which can reportedly proceed to function as regular.
This information comes roughly eight months after Bicycle Retailer and Business Information (BRAIN) reported that KHS’s U.S. distribution would shut in early 2026, until they discovered a purchaser to take over the enterprise. On the time, KHS’s U.S. vp, Wayne D. Grey, stated they had been “speaking to a number of entities thinking about shopping for the distribution enterprise, the U.S. distribution rights to the bike manufacturers, or each,” as reported by BRAIN. Given the closure announcement, it seems no deal was ever reached.
The previous few years have been something however straightforward for the biking business, and like many different manufacturers, it’s honest to imagine that current financial challenges probably performed a task on this resolution. However, it was reported that the model’s founders had been additionally trying ahead to retirement after 50 years of working the household enterprise. Grey stated he has plans to retire and trip his bike every single day, too.
Based mostly within the U.S. with factories in Taiwan, KHS has produced and distributed a wide range of bicycles for many years. This contains these from its subsidiary manufacturers, Free Agent BMX bikes and Manhattan Seaside Cruisers. Moreover, together with QBP, KHS was one among solely two distributors wholesaling Shimano elements within the U.S. market.
Though KHS by no means appeared to attain mainstream recognition, that additionally by no means actually gave the impression to be the aim. KHS had many patents and accomplishments to its identify, and the model even earned quite a few “Bike of the 12 months” awards from varied publications over time. Nonetheless, KHS at all times appeared centered on offering worth to shoppers, moderately than competing with the large manufacturers.
KHS has been a long-standing supporter of up-and-coming home racers in each mountain and street biking. The KHS Professional MTB workforce was a relentless menace in gravity disciplines on the North American downhill, enduro, and twin slalom circuits for years, with quite a few Nationwide Championship Titles to its identify.
We’re unhappy to see one other biking business staple shut its doorways. We want all the very best to the KHS workforce and all the people affected by the model’s closure.