In 2020, FusionFiber rims rolled into the MTB scene with the primary wheels from Revel Bikes. The proprietary expertise of CSS Composites, FusionFiber turned heads by providing a brand new methodology of making composite bike elements that claimed to be stronger, lighter, more cost effective, higher using, 100% recyclable, and all made within the USA.
Whereas Revel was the primary model to supply a FusionFiber wheelset, the expertise quickly made its technique to different manufacturers, together with Chris King, Atomik, and Evil. CSS Composites additionally launched their very own home model of wheels known as Forge+Bond, which just lately expanded into FusionFiber handlebars as effectively.
On the floor, every part appeared to be going effectively for the Gunnison, UT-based firm. We even simply had the chance to take a manufacturing unit tour of the spectacular facility lower than two months in the past.
So it got here as much more of a shock to us once we noticed the information that CSS Composites was ceasing operations.
There may be nonetheless no official public-facing announcement that CSS Composites has closed down. The information appears to have been first reported by the Radavist, who obtained a letter from a legislation agency representing CSS Composites that was despatched to their OEM companions in regards to the shutdown. We needed to confirm this letter for ourselves earlier than posting, and we have been capable of acquire the identical letter straight from one of many wheel manufacturers that CSS Composites has partnered with.
The contents of the letter spotlight a hidden danger of buying a product with a lifetime guarantee – that guarantee might solely be legitimate for the lifetime of the corporate, not the product. In line with the letter from Dorsey & Whitney LLP, any beforehand submitted or future requests for service, restore, or substitute won’t be honored.
What about Forge+Bond?
Whereas the information appears to be centered on CSS Composites, there may be additionally a query mark surrounding their Forge+Bond wheel model. The CSS Composites web site has gone darkish (and emails have bounced again as undeliverable), however the Forge+Bond web site stays, together with the power to buy their wheels. There isn’t any indication on the F+B web site that the corporate is not in enterprise, however the aforementioned letter makes it unclear whether or not or not the F+B wheels will proceed to have any form of product assist or guarantee.
It’s potential that because the letter was despatched out to associate wheel manufacturers who buy and use CSS Composites rims for their very own wheel builds, CSS plans to maintain Forge and Bond operating till they promote by their remaining stock. On the time of writing, a number of requests for remark to our contacts at CSS Composites and Forge+Bond have gone unanswered. It’s unclear if F+B merchandise will proceed to have any buyer assist or guarantee protection, however we’ll replace this submit if we hear again.
What Occurred?
Finally, that is all hypothesis since we haven’t been capable of focus on issues straight with CSS Composites, however on the floor, it looks like one other casualty of the awful financial state of affairs the bicycle trade finds itself. Anecdotally, it additionally looks like it might not less than partially be as a consequence of a higher-than-expected guarantee price. For a carbon expertise that was billed as stronger and extra sturdy, we have been shocked to listen to from a number of manufacturers which have offered wheels with FusionFiber rims that that they had a difficult time with guarantee points, and one model explicitly acknowledged that that they had a better guarantee price with FusionFiber rims than their earlier provider from China.
To be honest, we’ve examined plenty of FusionFiber wheels right here at BikeRumor and by no means had a difficulty, and have usually appreciated the merchandise. Regardless, excessive guarantee charges coupled with intense competitors within the wheel area, plus powerful financial occasions, are a foul mixture for a corporation making an attempt to make cutting-edge merchandise right here within the USA.
