If you’ve ordered a bike part or two in the last few decades, Colorado Cyclist is probably a name you know. Since 1989, they’ve been a staple for riders across the U.S., selling everything from high-end road bikes to obscure accessories you couldn’t find anywhere else. In April 2024, though, that long ride came to an end. Colorado Cyclist announced it was closing permanently, marking the end of an era for a lot of loyal customers.
Plenty of bike shops have cycled in and out of the scene (no pun intended), but Colorado Cyclist was a big deal. For many, they were the go-to source for specialized gear, especially in the pre-Amazon world. But even companies with a strong following can run into trouble. These days, being “well-known” just isn’t enough.
The Online Battle: Why It’s Hard for Mid-Sized Shops to Survive
The retail scene has changed a lot in the last decade. For companies like Colorado Cyclist, the rise of online giants made things tough. Shops like Chain Reaction, Jenson USA, and of course, Amazon, can offer deep discounts and a jaw-dropping range of products. It’s the classic story—bigger businesses can buy in greater numbers, so they get better prices. That translates to lower prices for customers and more pressure on everyone else.
There are only so many customers to go around, and online shopping makes it easy to price-shop. Even loyal fans might jump ship to save a few bucks. A mid-sized company just doesn’t have the muscle to win on sheer price alone. Colorado Cyclist tried to keep up, but it’s hard to match the advertising budgets and shipping deals of companies with global reach.
Competition isn’t just about prices, though. The way people shop has changed, too. Bike buyers once depended on knowledgeable staff at specialty shops. Now, reviews and YouTube tutorials cover almost everything. It’s easy to lose regulars when convenience and price start to trump personal service.
Trying to Stay Afloat: The Merger With Planet Cyclery
By 2022, the writing was on the wall. Colorado Cyclist and another retailer, Planet Cyclery, decided to try merging. The thinking was simple: Maybe together, they could streamline operations and have a better shot at competing in a crowded market.
For a while, it looked like it might work. The combined inventory meant more options for customers. They could share warehouse space and trim costs, too. But those improvements weren’t enough. The broader economic pressure—plus those online heavyweights—proved too much.
So in April 2024, both Colorado Cyclist and Planet Cyclery announced they were shutting down for good. They put out “Everything Must Go” sales, tried to clear remaining inventory, and wrapped up operations. Unlike some brands that keep a skeleton staff or quietly pivot, this was a real, full-stop closure.
What Happens to the Brand? No Comeback Plans—And Who Picks Up the Pieces
After a shutdown like this, people sometimes wonder if the brand will return. Maybe someone will try to bring Colorado Cyclist back in a new form. As of now, that’s just not happening. The company’s name, website, and other assets have been picked up by other businesses, but there aren’t any plans to revive Colorado Cyclist.
For longtime workers, that means saying goodbye—not just to a job, but to a community they helped build. Loyal customers have been left looking elsewhere for parts, service, and familiarity. If you had a favorite mechanic or sales rep at Colorado Cyclist, they’re likely looking for new work now, along with the rest of the crew.
A few companies may use Colorado Cyclist’s assets to boost their own offerings. But for the most part, it looks like the brand as everyone knew it is gone. There’s no secret comeback or pending auction to watch for.
Zooming Out: What This Says About Bike Retail and Broader Trends
If you love bikes, it’s hard not to feel a little down about closures like this. At the same time, this is a pattern we’ve seen across specialty retail—not just in cycling. The biggest online brands keep winning on selection and price, while small shops with a niche (think custom frames or local service) hang on because they offer something unique.
The ones in the middle, like Colorado Cyclist, are struggling most. They’re big enough to have real overhead but not big enough to compete with the lowest prices online. We’ve seen similar stories in outdoor gear, electronics, and even books. As e-commerce keeps growing, the pressure on these mid-sized players just gets stronger.
Another angle: manufacturers are selling more directly to customers now. Riders can now go straight to brands like Trek or Specialized for bikes and parts—cutting out a layer of retailers.
Meanwhile, the pandemic boom in bike sales faded, and the market cooled down. That made it even harder for companies that had stocked up, betting on continued high demand. When that demand dipped, a lot of them were stuck with extra inventory, eating into their already thin margins.
Community Reaction: Loss Felt by Local Riders and Employees
If you check out cycling forums and social media, you’ll see people sharing memories or expressing disappointment. For many, Colorado Cyclist wasn’t just a store—it was where they got their first serious bike, or finally found that hard-to-get part. Some worry that with each shutdown, it gets harder to find trustworthy advice, especially if you don’t live near a big cycling city.
There’s also the local economy to consider, especially if you’re in Colorado Springs, where the shop was based for years. Every store closure means lost jobs and fewer options for people who work in the outdoor industry.
People also talk about the effect on the “bike culture” in the region. When a well-known retailer shuts its doors, races and group rides lose sponsors. New riders have one less resource to rely on. The sense of a tight-knit community can weaken a bit when a familiar hub goes away.
What Comes Next? Lessons for Other Sports Retailers
A lot of folks in the business world are watching changes like this closely. The big takeaway seems pretty clear: the middle of the market is a tough place to be. Big-box shops and major online sellers keep raising the bar on value and convenience. Super-small stores can carve out a place if they have something special or local to offer.
For everyone else? The lesson is that you need to adapt fast or risk falling behind. That might mean focusing on expert advice, events, or custom services you can’t get from an online-only giant. It could also mean teaming up with other businesses to try to improve your odds, though, as we’ve seen with Colorado Cyclist, that’s no guarantee.
If you’re interested in the nuts and bolts of business closures and what happens after, you might want to check out resources like SeraBusiness, which breaks down how companies handle winding down their operations.
There’s also a lot to learn for other industries facing similar pressure. Staying nimble, watching trends, and being clear about what makes you valuable are themes that come up over and over.
Wrapping Up: No Dramatics, Just a Business Changing With the Times
Will another major cycling retailer go under soon? It’s always possible—change feels like the only constant today. But for now, this is where the story ends for Colorado Cyclist. Customers have new shops to explore (or new online accounts to set up), and employees are figuring out the next step.
The brand leaves behind decades of good rides, gear sales, and advice—plus a clear sign that even established companies can’t count on yesterday’s business model forever. If you’re shopping for a bike or keeping tabs on your favorite local shop, it’s worth paying attention. Sometimes, that last big sale really is the end.