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Diamondback is a reputable brand that has made a dynamic range of different kinds of bikes over the years - with its origins in BMX, but who owns them?
When Diamondback Bikes first came on the scene, it was an exciting era for the cycling industry, as there were so many new-age styles and innovations taking place that were pushing the sport into different directions. Over the years, Diamondback has gone through a number of subtle name changes and major ownership acquisitions, which is why many riders are wondering who owns the brand these days?
Diamondback Bikes is currently owned by Regent L.P. - a private equity firm that is based in Beverly Hills, California. Diamondback was purchased by Regent L.P. from Accell Group NV in 2019. Prior to this, the company had been run by Derby Cycle Corporation since 1999.
The world of cycling is constantly undergoing changes and is evolving as technology within the industry advances. Companies like Diamondback Bikes are rooted in the history of the modern-day cycling, as they have been releasing excellent quality bikes for nearly half a century. We have seen the brand push the boundaries of bike riding by consistently releasing sophisticated designs using top-notch parts and materials, while at the same time - keeping costs to a minimum. Diamondback Bikes is a brand that strives to make cycling accessible to everyone, which is why they focus on delivering well-rounded options that encourage longevity and performance at a balanced price range. Although the company is considered to be one of the pioneers of BMX biking, they have shifted gears and are now designing a number of different bike types. However, due to the various acquisitions that they have been a part of, the ownership of the company may be unclear to many cycling enthusiasts. To help you understand this further, we are going to take a closer look at who owns Diamondback Bikes.
After extensively researching Diamondback Bikes, I have been able to gather enough information to determine who the current owner of the company is. My research has shown me that the recent purchase of Diamondback Bikes has resulted in a considerable amount of speculation regarding the ownership of the brand.
History of Diamondback Bikes
We first saw the name Diamondback Bikes pop up in 1977 as a BMX brand. The company that founded Diamondback was Western State Imports out of Newbury Park, CA. At this time the company was overseen by Centurion Bicycle Brand - a partner of Western State Imports.
Diamondback Bikes and Centurion Bicycle Brand were eventually merged into one. This led to the name Centurion/Diamondback being the official title of the brand for a number of years - until Diamondback became the sole name in the early 1990s.
Diamondback has had a consistent level of quality output since its early days of production. The majority of the parts and materials used to make their bikes were done so in Japan. The company relied on Shimano parts, which are regarded within the industry as being some of the best that money can buy. Diamondback held onto its BMX roots throughout the early stages of its development but it later began branching out to create different styles and bicycle classifications.
We really saw Diamondback thrive on the mainstream market in the 1990s when they started launching their mountain and road bikes. These were high-performance machines that were built well and delivered a very solid performance. The company did not have massive praise from industry pros and other big-name brands in those days, but what Diamondback was given credit for was releasing great quality bikes at a very affordable price.
Diamondback particularly caught the attention of cycling enthusiasts when it announced its famous Diamondback Racing Bike. The Diamondback Racing Bike (DBR) came out in 1993 and was a particularly impressive model from the brand with top-of-the-lne performance capabilities for its price range.
In 1999, Diamondback was acquired by a different company and it would continue to be bought and sold numerous times over the next 20 years.
Diamondback Bikes Name Change
Diamondback has gone through a series of name changes throughout its existence. We saw this first occur in the 1980s when the name was combined with Centurion, which led to the brand becoming Centurion/Diamondback.
Eventually, the company became just Diamondback again. However, the owners of the company played around with this title as well, which is why the brand underwent a series of name changes such as ‘Diamond Back’ and ‘DiamondBack’. Since the name was changed to ‘Diamondback’ - it has stuck.
Who Bought Out Diamondback and When?
Diamondback has been bought and sold a number of times over the years. The first acquisition of the company occurred in 1999 when it was purchased by Derby Cycle Corporation. For the next 2 years, Derby Cycle Corporation ran Diamondback but then ended up selling it in 2001 to Accell Group - a cycling company that is based in the Netherlands.
Accell Group held on to Diamondback for nearly 20 years, until it sold it to Regent L.P. in 2019 - a Beverly Hills-based private equity firm.
Where are Diamondback Bikes Made?
When Diamondback Bikes were initially manufactured in their earlier years, they were mainly being made in Japan. However, these days, the vast majority of their bikes are made in China. However, the manufacturing in China is overseen by a Taiwanese company called Kinesis.
What is the Derby Bicycle Corporation?
Derby Bicycle Corporation is a bike company that is based in Germany and they are one of the largest bike manufacturers in all of Europe. Derby Bicycle Corporation has been in business since 1987.
Other Bikes Made by the Derby Bicycle Corporation
Derby Bicycle Corporation is the owner of a number of different bike companies, which are primarily road and trekking bikes. The corporation currently owns Kalkhoff, Focus, Rixe, Univega, and Raleigh.
Where is the Headquarters of Diamondback?
Although the current owner of Diamondback Bikes is based in Beverly Hills, the brand continues to keep its headquarters in Kent, Washington.
Diamondback Bike Quality After Buyout
Diamondback has experienced a lot of changes over the years. The brand initially started out as a solid BMX brand, but it changed course on its production after the various buyouts that it went through.
Currently, Diamondback Bikes are regarded as the best that they have ever been, as far as specs and performance. The company has completely deviated from its original production of BMX bikes (given the lack of demand) and is now completely focused on mountain bikes, road bikes, gravel, bikes, and E-Bikes.
The options that Diamondback has on its official website are widely considered to be top-quality by industry pros and cycling enthusiasts. Diamondback initially started as a budget-friendly bike brand with well-rounded specs that struck a balance between quality performance and high prices.
Although the prices of Diamondback bikes have drastically increased since its early days of production, the quality has expanded significantly. The brand is now specializing in high-performance bikes that are designed with only the best parts and materials. You will find world-class Full-Suspension and Hard Tail mountain bikes in their line-up that feature very impressive specs.
In addition, the company also has amazing road and gravel bikes that are made with full carbon fiber frames and high-quality parts. Diamondback has also hopped on the E-Bike trend and is now selling a select number of tier-1 options. The quality upgrade of Diamondback’s bikes has come at a price, as a lot of what is in their line-up now goes into the $4,000 to $5,000 range - considerably more than what the budget-friendly brand had originally listed in the 1990s and 2000s.
Where to Buy Diamondback Bikes
You can buy Diamondback Bikes from various stores across the country, as a lot of bike shops will carry options from the brand. The company currently has a decent selection on its official website but you will find that a lot of shops will have their models from the years prior in stock.
If you happen to be looking for the latest bikes that Diamondback has listed on their website, then your best bet is going to be to find one of their authorized dealers. To do this, simply browse Diamondback’s selections and then click on the ‘Dealer Locator’ tab of their site. By typing your details into the locator, Diamondback will connect you with the closest store to your location. However, if you prefer to shop online, you have got plenty of options to consider such as:
Although most online bike shops will carry a solid selection of Diamondback bikes, you may find that they do not all have the latest of what the company advertises on their official website. Be sure to browse a handful of different stores in case you cannot find the bike that you are after. If you are set on the newest models from Diamondback Bikes, your best option is going to be to go with one of their authorized dealers.
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