The Future of Stages Cycling: What Happens Next?

Stages Cycling: A Rise and Fall Story

In a shocking turn of events, Stages Cycling, a once-prominent player in the cycling industry, has seemingly gone out of business. The company, known for its innovative products and market leadership, has recently laid off its entire workforce and stopped selling products, leading many to believe that the end is near for Stages.

The downfall of Stages can be traced back to a series of events over the past year, including a decline in product support responsiveness, the loss of key leaders, and mounting financial troubles. The company’s website now shows all products as out of stock, and reports indicate that Stages owes Giant Cycling a significant sum of money.

Despite its current predicament, Stages has a history of success in the cycling world. The company was a market leader in indoor cycling bikes, with their products generating millions of rides per year. Their SB20 bike, released in 2020, was well-received for its road feel and technical connectivity, but faced challenges in pricing and distribution.

One of Stages’ most successful products was their single-sided power meter, introduced in 2012. The company’s sponsorship of Team Sky in 2014, featuring top cyclists like Chris Froome and Bradley Wiggins, helped solidify their reputation in the industry.

Stages also ventured into the bike computer market with their Dash units, offering advanced power integration and structured training features. However, these products failed to gain the same popularity as their power meters.

The relationship between Stages and Giant Cycling has been closely intertwined, with Giant manufacturing many of Stages’ products. Recent developments, including key personnel leaving Stages to join Giant and a lawsuit filed by Giant against Stages for unpaid debts, have further complicated the situation.

As Stages faces an uncertain future, speculation abounds about what may happen next. The company could receive investment to continue operating, file for bankruptcy protection, or be acquired by another entity. Giant Cycling appears to be a likely candidate for acquisition, given their existing partnership and shared history with Stages.

The fate of Stages Cycling hangs in the balance, with consumers and industry watchers eagerly awaiting news of the company’s next steps. Whether Stages will rise from the ashes or fade into obscurity remains to be seen, but one thing is certain – the cycling world will never be the same without Stages.