Crust close shop?

[wyatt_]

Looks like Crust suddenly closed yesterday:

https://crustbikes.com/

Big surprise, at least to someone like me, who saw them as a brand with all of the outward signs of success, growth. Seems like the different ideas they were trying out were a real unique contribution to cycling the past few years, and met with genuine enthusiasm.

Anyone have some insight to what's going on here?

[Blue Jays]

Yikes. Unsure exactly what this all means.
Have seen a few cool Crust bikes posted here.

[dbh]

Crazy. They just released their new travel single speed/fixed. Seemed to have really interesting new product.

[Hikyle2]

I was bummed to see this as well, they seemed to have found a niche that was selling. Didn’t their last batch of frames sell out in a day?

I’m wondering if by the nature of those guys if they just decided to take the winter off. Can’t say I wouldn’t be envious if so.

[Pinned]

Sad to see any small business go out. The bike industry is a struggle for all but the biggest brands. Crust offered something very niche and I can't imagine it's always an easy sell but props to them for bringing those ideas to market.

[tctyres]

I follow them on instagram, and they were posting things this week. It seems sudden. They definitely had inventory. I'm not sure what is going on.

[yinzerniner]

Originally Posted by tctyres

I follow them on instagram, and they were posting things this week. It seems sudden. They definitely had inventory. I'm not sure what is going on.

They also took entries into a raffle that was supposed to close on the 7th. Doesn’t look good at all to just close shop out of nowhere when they’ve been super busy on the marketing circuit for the last month. Really hope there’s a viable reason rather than something shady going on

https://theradavist.com/2020/12/dona...olt-breakaway/

[ryker]

I’m betting on acquisition.

[skouri1]

Yea I wonder if some big brand like S wants to create a line . They did sponsor him i believe for a bit

[DCilliams]

Supply chain

[wyatt_]

Originally Posted by ryker

I’m betting on acquisition.

Honestly thought that was where they were headed, but this would be a pretty unusual transition if so? Typically continuity of business is a priority for that kind of thing...

[charliedid]

Originally Posted by DCilliams

Supply chain

And too many brands.

[eBAUMANN]

very odd...and a serious bummer if closed for good.

one of the few brands who ignored grams, %'s, and all the other industry BS and just made the bikes they(and many others) wanted, bikes that filled gaps, bikes that were truly unique. which is saying A LOT these days.

ive never owned or ridden a crust, but i always admired them as a brand (clearly), they will leave a big hole in the niche-market and will be missed.

[RudAwkning]

They had 5 models in this list alone. Maybe they were spread too thin? Hard to stock that many frames in all sizes. Hoping that they'll at least fulfill all current orders and maybe re-org with a streamlined line-up.

https://bikepacking.com/index/650b-gravel-bikes/

[AngryScientist]

doesnt compute?

following them on instagram, they just received and shipped a bunch of frames, were just taking pre-orders for a new canti romanceur bike, etc.

as DC pointed out above, it would not surprise me with the global state of affairs they were having new unforseen supply chain issues getting stuff made offshore, but who knows.

perhaps they are just having website issues and the wording on the site is just not well thought out?