It’s all but a forgotten memory now, but very recently RaceFace was a in lot of trouble.
The company, founded in 1992, had been experiencing financial difficulties, which eventually meant the inevitable closure. The bank was brought in to take control and the receivers brought in to sell the company and its assets.
While mountain bikers around the world were covering their faces with their hands, distraught at the news, the brand was thrown a lifeline. Former Race Face VP of Sales Chris Tutton, who joined the company in 1994, will stepped up to the place, and saved the company from disappearing forever.
At Eurobike the brand was boldly stating its intention to continue developing some of the best products on the market, and backed this up with several new releases. The main releases is the SixC DH carbon fibre, which is based on the cross-country chainset released last year.
It’s claimed to be one of the lightest downhill-specific chainsets in the world, with a weight nudging 650g. That includes a 36t chainring and bottom bracket. The chainset is beefed up in the critical areas, with a tougher spider and protected arms and steel pedal inserts. There’ll be several versions available. No UK pricing yet.
Respond is a new range of bars, stems and posts designed for downhill and freeride applications. There’s also a chainset bearing the new name.
The Ride XC cranks have been updated for 2012.
Now that the company is on a more stable footing, we’re expecting some exciting new developments.
What do you think? Discuss in this forum thread.
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