Islabikes

Islabikes
Company typePrivate Limited Company
IndustryOther retail specialised stores
Founded2005
FounderIsla Rowntree{}
Headquarters
Stanton Lacy, Shropshire
,
United Kingdom
Area served
UK, Europe
Key people
Isla Rowntree (Managing director)
ProductsChildren's and adult’s bicycle parts
Websiteislabikes.co.uk
Footnotes / references
[1]

Islabikes (/ˈaɪlə/ EYE-lə /baɪks/[2]) is a manufacturer of specialist bicycle parts based near Ludlow in Shropshire, England. Originally known for children's bikes, from 2019 the company also produced bicycles aimed at the over 65s. It was founded in 2006 by competitive cyclist Isla Rowntree, the name Islabikes derived from her first name, initially located at Claverley in east Shropshire until it moved to Bromfield, Shropshire in 2010, then Ludlow in 2019. It is now located in Stanton Lacy, Shropshire. In November 2014 the company employed 40 people.[3]

Islabikes was renowned for producing very light bikes with all components designed specifically for the intended rider.[4][5] These components are still available to buy from Islabikes ongoing spare parts operation. In 2011 Islabikes introduced its first adult-sized model, the Beinn 29 .[6] Islabikes opened a North American headquarters in Portland, Oregon and began sales in April, 2013, but pulled out of the US market in 2018 due to uncertainty over Brexit and US regulations.[7][8] The bicycles were designed in the UK and manufactured in Vietnam.[9]

In February 2022, Islabikes announced the production of two new models for riders with dwarfism.[10]

In October 2023 Islabikes announced it was to cease production of bicycles.[11] It blamed a turbulent and difficult time for the cycling industry. It said existing guarantees would be honoured.

  • Beinn 24
    Beinn 24
  • Four year old on Cnoc 14, US coaster brake version, with third party basket and flag
    Four year old on Cnoc 14, US coaster brake version, with third party basket and flag

References

  1. ^ "Founder Isla Rowntree steps back after 15 years". Islabikes. Retrieved 9 September 2021.
  2. ^ See Isla (given name). Islabikes sets up shop in Portland, KGW, 18 April 2013, archived from the original (Flash Video) on 29 June 2013, retrieved 26 April 2013
  3. ^ "Cyclist peddles her own design of bikes". Shropshire Star. 28 November 2014. p. 18.Report by Thomas Morton.
  4. ^ Farelly, Tony (8 July 2007). "Islabike Beinn 20in review". BikeRadar. Retrieved 18 July 2011.
  5. ^ Haworth, Benji (November 2011), "Interview: Isla Rowntree" (PDF), Singletrack, archived from the original (PDF) on 23 March 2013, retrieved 23 February 2013
  6. ^ "Islabike launch big bikes for big kids", Singletrack, 30 August 2011, retrieved 23 February 2013
  7. ^ Maus, Jonathan (28 March 2013), "UK-based Islabikes opens North American headquarters in southeast Portland", BikePortland
  8. ^ Maus, Jonathan (5 October 2018), Brexit uncertainty, US regulations among reasons for Islabikes' retreat
  9. ^ Kibbler, Adrian (22 November 2010), "Ludlow-based bike business Isla Bikes goes from strength to strength", The Argus
  10. ^ Bowater, Dave (22 February 2022), Our new step-through bike for riders with dwarfism
  11. ^ "Islabikes to cease production of bikes". 26 October 2023.

External links