Ridgeback (brand)

Ridgeback
TypePrivate
IndustryBicycles
Founded1983
Headquarters,
England, UK
Key people
Errol Drew (founder)
ProductsBicycles
Websitewww.ridgeback.co.uk

Ridgeback is a British bicycle brand manufacturing road, urban, utility, youth and mountain models. Their bikes are distributed by Sportline UK which is owned by H Young Holdings. Sportline UK also owns the Genesis and Saracen cycle brands.

History

Ridgeback's founder Errol Drew created the first UK mountain bike in 1983.[1] Drew first spotted a mountain bike at the 1982 New York Bike Show, where he declared it "the future of cycling".[1]

Ridgeback's next major development was the creation of the flat handlebar road bike.[1]

In 2001, Ridgeback introduced the Genesis Day One model. In 2006 Genesis marque became a separate brand.[2]

In 2008, Ridgeback was one of the first to introduce disc brakes to its flat handlebar road range. And in 2015 Ridgeback launched Rapide – a range of performance road bikes.[1]

In 2014, Ridgeback was the 5th most stolen bike in the UK.[3] In 2020, Ridgeback Velocity was the 4th most stolen bike in the UK.[4][5]

In 2023 Ridgeback celebrated 40 years - https://singletrackworld.com/2023/03/retro-ridgeback-gallery-and-video-walkthrough/[6]

In 2026 Ridgeback launched a completely redesigned, all-new kids' bike platform for 2026. Developed using sizing data from the Department of Health and the Royal College of Paediatrics, the new line features updated child-specific geometry, fresh colourways, new accessories, and a lifetime frame and fork warranty to help young riders transition to larger bikes with more confidence.[7]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Ridgeback picks its five key bikes over 30 years". Bikebiz. Retrieved 1 February 2016.
  2. ↑ "GENESIS DAY ONE - URBAN CROSS UTILITY". VeloAcier.com (in French). 9 January 2016. Retrieved 12 January 2021.
  3. ↑ "What's Britain's most stolen bike? The answer will surprise you". road.cc. 16 May 2014. Retrieved 12 January 2021.
  4. ↑ "100+ Bike Statistics & Facts of 2020 [E-Bikes Included)". Bicycle Guider. Retrieved 12 January 2021.
  5. ↑ "These UK cycle crime statistics make essential reading for cyclists". Cycleplan Blog. 7 April 2016. Retrieved 12 January 2021.
  6. ↑ https://singletrackworld.com/2023/03/retro-ridgeback-gallery-and-video-walkthrough/
  7. ↑ https://bikebiz.com/ridgeback-launch-redesigned-range-of-kids-bikes/