“When I go into a Walmart store, I’ll see many many bicycles; they’ll have 100 different models. I’ll see maybe 25 at Target. Walmart loves bicycles—to them it’s apple pie and the Fourth of July.” “When I joined the business in 1972, there were eight American bicycle manufacturers and about 40 bicycle importers. All eight American companies that were manufacturing either went bankrupt or just gave up and closed,” Kamler recalls. “Of the forty importers at that time, only Kent and Raleigh still remain, and both of those companies are financially sound.” However, we also have noticed that the build quality of these bikes is not as high as more expensive models, and they may require more frequent maintenance and repairs. Additionally, some of our test riders found the seat and pedals on Kent BMX bikes to be uncomfortable or poorly designed.
“The prices there were just so low it made no economic sense to continue, so in 1991 we stopped production, sold off the equipment, shut the doors,” Kamler recalls. “We were never, ever going to manufacture again in the U.S. That was 23 years ago, our very final decision.”And then along came… Walmart. What Kamler is doing in bicycle manufacturing exactly parallels what transplant automotive producers engineered in the 70s and 80s. Kent Bicycles made headlines with its plans to produce 500,000 bikes annually in its new South Carolina factory in Manning.
Alongside changing the company name into Kent International (1958), he also moved his new business to its current location, Parsippany, New Jersey (1979). Clark-Kent was a bicycle frame manufacturer based in Denver, Colorado. The name Clark-Kent was a hybrid of the names of the company owners, Pat Clark and Dean Kent, and had no connection with the alter ego of Superman beyond name recognition. Nor is it related in any way with Kent Bicycles of Parsippany, New Jersey. “We’re thrilled to move Kent Outdoors’ headquarters to Utah to embrace the state’s vibrant business environment and cherished outdoor lifestyle,” said Matt Eby, chairman of the Seawall board of directors. Kona Bicycles will have employees at the Utah offices, but the company’s product design team will remain in Bellingham, Washington.
They may also not be the best choice for riders who are looking for a high-performance or competitive bike. However, we’ve also noted that the build quality of these bikes is not as high as more expensive models, and they may require more frequent maintenance kent bike and repairs. Additionally, the seating position can be uncomfortable for extended rides, and the pedals may be too close together for some riders. Despite their low cost, Kent Tandem Bikes offer good performance and handling on the road or on light trails.
We’re still populated by a staff of keen, active, impassioned cyclists. Just a dedicated group of cyclists making bicycles for people who love bikes-no matter if that love is new or long established. Cycle Therapy is located in a vintage Tudor red brick house located in downtown Kent, 422 3rd Ave South, at the corner of 3rd Ave South and Willis Street, Kent Washington. This distinguishes our shop as a place where the service does not end with the sale.
Their mountain bikes are sturdy and robust, perfect for beginners and hobby riders, and are affordable models for all people. kent bikes are generally known for being affordable, budget-friendly bikes. Compared to other bike brands, Kent bikes are typically priced lower and are designed to offer good value for money.
Before making a purchase, it would be best if you research different models and go through different Kent bike reviews. This can help you find the best deal and ensure that you are making the right choice. However, it would probably be a better idea to switch into more advanced bike models if you want more heavy-duty performance out of your bike. Another reason Kent bikes are still relevant today is their superior versatility. No matter what types of biking you’re into, Kent has a model for that. Every type of Kent bike has some activity-specific features to offer.
By the time the Kamlers saw the Taiwan currency upshift and resulting cost increases signaling another change, they were ready. “We rented 30,000 square feet in a building in West Orange, N.J., formerly owned by Thomas Edison, next to the museum. The company built both road and mountain bike frames in steel and titanium and were the early builders of Greg LeMond road and mountain titanium frames, before LeMond production went to Litespeed and later Trek Bicycle Corporation. The company employed master-welders Ivo Vinklarek and Don Herr, however welding on later frames was outsourced with some quality problems which contributed to the demise of the brand. Pat Clark was part owner of the famous Denver Spoke bicycle shop, and also owned a group of bicycle shops known as Premier Cycles across the greater Denver area.
Make sure you use your machine properly and maintain it regularly. The best thing for you to do is to go directly to the manufacturer’s website. A tool is set up to find a bike as easily as possible, in a store near you or, if the service is available, directly in your mailbox (if there is enough space of course). Overall, the prices correspond to the very low end of the market. Following Walmart’s commitment to revalue American production, in 2014 Kent Bicycles decided to pivot part of its production to South Carolina. “The bicycle business is high volume with a small profit margin.
“But Dad had always wanted to manufacture bikes,” Kamler recalls. “I protested, ‘I don’t know anything about manufacturing bicycles!‘ so he arranged for me to visit three bicycle assembly factories in Japan.” Kamler, a student of the Chinese economy and factory life, has insights into the quick-and-easy way to open a new factory. “In the beginning, when a new factory opened in China, [its] management would go to another existing bicycle plant, overpay and steal 100 workers from the other factory,” he says. “That made for ease of entry.” he said. “But at this start-up, we don’t have that luxury—even aside from the morality of it—because there has been no mass production of bikes in the U.S. since Huffy shuttered its Ohio and California factories.” “We do business with most of the majors, but Walmart sells half the bikes sold in this country, Kamler explains.