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• This topic has 55 replies, 48 voices, and was last updated 4 weeks ago by squirrelking.

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• Mass Rider Layoffs As Pon ‘Pauses’ GT Bicycles
• hot_fiatFull Member

  Oh poo.

  Posted 1 month ago 1 mboyFree Member

  I had quite a chat with Hans Rey at the Malverns this year… It was certainly a very surreal moment, having been a fan of his since I first saw him in early 90’s MBUK articles. I still have a copy of “Monkey see, monkey do” on VHS somewhere…

  Hans Rey without GT doesn’t seem quite right somehow… In fact, the MTB and BMX scenes full stop without GT don’t seem quite right!

  Posted 1 month ago bitmuddytodayFree Member

  Shame. Been seeing less and less GT’s on the trails for a long time. Just looked at the website, not much that is desirable on there, although pricing is more competitive than some. Guess Pon have bigger more successful brands to put recourses into.

  Posted 1 month ago BearBackFree Member

  Less GT’s on the trails for a long time.

  One of the side effects of supplying rental fleets to Vail resorts. Used market flooded with shitty used bikes

  Posted 1 month ago 2 listerFull Member

  Sad times. First proper MTB was a Timberline with the cool zebra stripes. I then had an LTS DH for a while but nothing since.

  Always felt like a 90s brand that didn’t quite make the jump to more modern bikes all that well – pioneering in many ways (a bit like Kona) but then lost that edge.

  Wonder what Wyn and Hans will do now.

  Edit: and didn’t Danny H go onto GT frames last year too after nukeproof went pop? That’s some bad luck right there…

  Posted 1 month ago mtbfixFull Member

  As stated above, the off-road cycling world without GT in it feels like a sad place to be. But then I can’t think of a GT that I’ve wanted to own since the 90s.

  Feels like a sucky time for the holding company to pull the plug though. Not that there is ever a good time to lose your job.

  Posted 1 month ago 1 hightensionlineFull Member

  Not nice for the riders, staff or suppliers. This hits the nail on the head for me:

  Always felt like a 90s brand that didn’t quite make the jump to more modern bikes all that well – pioneering in many ways (a bit like Kona) but then lost that edge.

  And also this:

  I can’t think of a GT that I’ve wanted to own since the 90s.

  p.s. Hans will always be GT, just because.

  Posted 1 month ago 2 dc1988Full Member

  It will be a sad moment if GT disappears but it feels like they’ve been a bit of a nothing brand for a long long time. They don’t really make anything desirable or cutting edge enough to stand out in a crowded market. You can’t just rely on a prestigious name any more.

  Posted 1 month ago 1 johnnystormFull Member

  More info here:

  https://www.bicycleretailer.com/industry-news/2024/12/17/gt-bicycles-pausing-new-product-releases-reducing-workforce?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR3fB5S6W4VHKfI9p6ndgINGE3DJ0NmxW_lGhpVoA6ywPHQISOhJmXTRC8E_aem_EafzUBt29-9VjWqHfT3BaQ

  Posted 1 month ago larrydavidFree Member

  I would say the GT Grade was quite popular at if not ahead of its time it was at the crest of the first big gravel wave.

  GT Tequesta was my first proper bike and always wanted an I drive. Seemed they cheapened the brand over the years and never really recovered.

  Posted 1 month ago OnzadogFree Member

  It’s a shame for all those who’s livelihoods depends on it.

  I’ve never owned a GT but the last one I listed after was an STS which dates it somewhat.

  Posted 1 month ago nwgilesFull Member

  what is going to happen to Wyn’s privateer program?

  Posted 1 month ago DaveyBoyWonderFree Member

  Echoing the above, they seemed to lose their way about 20 years ago (at least from the MTB side of things) and never really recovered which seems to be the way of some bike brands who then just become a name to be passed around by huge companies with little real love for the brand and their history (see Kona although hope that’ll change now its back with the original owners).

  Posted 1 month ago 6 benpinnickFull Member

  what is going to happen to Wyn’s privateer program?

  The UCI already killed that with the new DH rules.

  Posted 1 month ago 1 SpeederFull Member

  A real shame – I’ve never owned a GT but I did always hanker after one. I believe the newer bikes were really rather good but I’m not sure I really fancied spending money on one – a bit too generic with badge for some reason.

  I assume there’ll need to be a rebrand of the Malverns now – hope it doesn’t hit any of the (previously) supported riders/programmes/events too badly.

  Posted 1 month ago ads678Full Member

  I thought the new GT’s loooked pretty on trend with the high pivots and shiz.

  This is a bit of bummer, as there are some proper bargains at the moment and I was thinking of getting my son one. But having a Nukeproof already I really don;t want another frame that I can’t get spares for….

  Posted 1 month ago BadlyWiredDogFull Member

  Pon?

  Posted 1 month ago YakFull Member

  A Dutch megacorp.

  Posted 1 month ago mertFree Member

  Pon holdings BV

  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pon_Holdings

  Own a massive chunk of the bike industry and loads of other stuff.

  Posted 1 month ago 2 chakapingFull Member

  Just to inject a bit of clarity, from the link above:

  will pause releasing new products while streamlining operations

  “To ensure a sustainable and successful future, we are implementing a strategic reorientation to align with evolving customer preferences,” according to a statement by GT.

  The brand will focus “on core strengths, and refining our strategy to position GT for long-term growth. … We will continue to sell our current range from existing inventory,” GT said in the statement.

  Warranty and customer service will be handled by Cycling Sports Group.

  “GT Bicycles remains a brand with strong potential, and this decision has been taken to lay a solid foundation for its next chapter,” the brand said.

  So you could read that as “these ugly bikes aren’t selling, let’s try doing something better”?

  Also, is cancelling or not renewing rider sponsorship deals really “layoffs”?

  Posted 1 month ago BoardinBobFull Member

  Pon?

  Dutch company. Owns loads of brands (Santa Cruz, Cannondale, Cervelo etc)

  Posted 1 month ago 2 5labFree Member

  I’d be amazed if the brand is sunset in the medium term – its got enough recognition that its surely worth flogging some catalog frames with the GT brand on them and making a few quid? PON have plenty of brands under their umberella, so easy enough for them to do

  Posted 1 month ago 1 SpeederFull Member

  BadlyWiredDog
  Pon?

  About Pon

  All the bike brands they own

  Santa Criuz, Cannondale, GT, Mongoose, One Up from mtb plus loads of others

  Posted 1 month ago 1 nickcFull Member

  the off-road cycling world without GT in it feels like a sad place to be. But then I can’t think of a GT that I’ve wanted to own since the 90s

  Entirely sums up my thoughts too. It has had  a ‘resting on it’s laurels’ feel to it for a long time now. I’m hoping that it’ll rise phoenix like (like Kona) with some ace bikes, although it still does feel like a bit of MTB history ripped away.

  Posted 1 month ago 1 sharkattackFull Member

  I’m not fact checking this but didn’t Gary Turner sell up in 93 or 94? I know they had a huge presence in MTB with lots of interesting bikes in the late 90’s but not much since.

  They haven’t been what’s considered a ‘core’ BMX company for decades. GT is just the badge they slap on the corporate property. See also Haro, Mongoose, Cannondale, Schwinn, Redline. All sold off and turned into toyshop bikes.

  It’s a shame for all the real people involved. It would be good to see it revived somehow but do the owners really care? Do people who use sentences like “we are implementing a strategic reorientation to align with evolving customer preferences” really care about riding bikes in the dirt?

   

  Posted 1 month ago 1 chakapingFull Member

  I’d be amazed if the brand is sunset in the medium term – its got enough recognition that its surely worth flogging some catalog frames with the GT brand on them and making a few quid? PON have plenty of brands under their umberella, so easy enough for them to do

  They are indicating that they intend to get their shit together and come back to market with a tighter range.

  I’d imagine Pon would want to position GT as a value-ish brand, since SC are very spendy and Cannondale mid-to-upper.

  Something like how Marin has been brought back, maybe?

  Posted 1 month ago 2 BadlyWiredDogFull Member

  Dutch company. Owns loads of brands (Santa Cruz, Cannondale, Cervelo etc)

  Thanks all. Maybe the story could explain that for those of us who aren’t up to date on bike industry ownership structures. I had no idea that Santa Cruz, for example, was owned by Dutch people. Or that they seem to be behind Lease a Bike, as in Visma Lease a Bike road team etc.

  Posted 1 month ago 2 snotragFull Member

  It ‘s a real shame but hardly surprising, I couldnt name any of their current range and whatever I have seen appears to be just middlingly average, dullness. Particularly since being in the PON family it seems to be entirely based on ‘cant afford a Santa Cruz, well you’ll have to make do with a GT instead’ without any actual brand image or draw of their own.

  An interesting comparison, as they are again both in the ‘PON’ family now – would be Cannondale.

  Cannondale and GT were both massive brands in the 90s, desirable, big teams, very clear brand images and bikes you could recognise at 30 yards.

  What have Cannondale done for the past 30 years, that GT havent?

  Posted 1 month ago 3 mrhoppyFull Member

  What have Cannondale done for the past 30 years, that GT havent?

  Supported a very successful XC race team and produced some really good road and gravel bikes. They’ve focussed more on the “speed” rather than gnar side of things (Ratboy sponsorship aside).

  Posted 1 month ago 3 nickcFull Member

  What have Cannondale done for the past 30 years, that GT havent?

  Won lots of races 

  Posted 1 month ago simon_gFull Member

  Always sad to see a long-term brand like that go, I’ve never owned one but the recent ranges look good. I wonder how many full-market brands (from cheap hardtails to DH race bikes) the MTB market can sustain.

  I feel for the Cumming team – had Nukeproof then GT pulled, hope they can find another and have more luck with them.

  Posted 1 month ago whatyadoinsuckaFree Member

  rockguardz have shut up shop week too.

  Posted 1 month ago desperatebicycleFull Member

  What have Cannondale done for the past 30 years, that GT havent?

  Judging by GT’s website, there is one particular bandwagon Cannondale have done well on and GT have slightly missed..

  https://www.cannondale.com/en-gb/bikes/electric/e-mountain

  v

  Electric Mountain Bikes

  Posted 1 month ago misteralzFree Member

  Shame. I had GTs all through the ’90s and ’00s, hell, I was still hitting up pump tracks on my (then) 10 year old Zaskar in 2016! I got one of the first Zaskar 29ers, though, and it was utter dogshit. Never had another since but I’d’ve loved a modern 27.5 Zaskar…

  Posted 1 month ago chestrockwellFull Member

  Shame if they don’t reappear as they’re a classic old name that has produced some iconic bikes. Happily have a 92 RTS-1 with M900 in the garage.

  Last time I actually saw a new one was a year or two ago in Stif. No idea who signed off the design but it was an ugly brute with weird tube bends that looked all wrong. Dull colour and dull decals didn’t help, especially sat next to the Santa Cruz. Wasn’t especially cheap either so I couldn’t see who would buy it?

  Posted 1 month ago rOcKeTdOgFull Member

  Their gravel bike wasn’t bad, was about to review the e version but that’s on hold as you’d expect

  Posted 1 month ago scruffFree Member

  Brage is a massive star for the ‘core youth’ market which is pretty big at the moment. Apart from Wyn and Hans I couldn’t name one other person on GT.

  Posted 1 month ago 2 cannondalem500Full Member

  Given the recent heavy discounting at Santa Cruz and Reserve you do wonder who will be next for any restructuring. Lifetime warranty is only good if there’s a company left to back it up.

  Posted 1 month ago 2 ocriderFull Member

  Apart from Wyn and Hans I couldn’t name one other person on GT.

  There’s also that Skills With Phil fella.

  They were investing in influencers and ambassadors more than actual competitors for a while. Wyn holds far more sway and value holding a microphone than a pair of handlebars, unless of course the mic is taped to the end of the handlebars.

  Now that’s over, somebody has to step up and offer Wyn a post race interview gig.

  Posted 1 month ago chakapingFull Member

  somebody has to step up and offer Wyn a post race interview gig.

  Pinkbike should be trying to snap him up and take on WynTV for 2025 onwards. Maybe even evolve the format and get him teamed up with Cathro.

  But if Pon have any sense they will slide Wyn (and Brage) across to SC or Cannondale sharpish. Probably SC, as they actually have a DH bike.

  Posted 1 month ago

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