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A black day for Blackspire?

Dec. 3, 2023, 10:51 a.m.
Posts: 63
Joined: April 1, 2010

I saw a note on another site that Blackspire had shut down.  Their website just says it's now closed and thank-you for your support.  Has anybody heard anything?

Sad to see a company that has seemingly been around forever quietly cranking out a ludicrously large catalog of products go down.

Possibly an archival picture of their first product?

I'll pour one out for an OG and search for some spare Beaver Tails before stock is depleted.

Dec. 3, 2023, 11:23 a.m.
Posts: 2274
Joined: Nov. 8, 2003

Oh no! Hurts deep to see OG North Shore companies go.

"Our website now closed".

Thanks for all the great components Blackspire, I owned many and they were all rad. 🍺

Dec. 3, 2023, 11:42 a.m.
Posts: 1178
Joined: March 15, 2013

Well for some totally anecdotal and essentially completely useless information...

I worked for the Blackspire distributor for a while and I don't think I saw more than a relative handful of items come back defective. Whenever I walked by the bins of defective product the Blackspire bin never had more than 5 or 6 bad items in it, and I personally processed very few Blackspire warranties.

I have no idea whether that was because the products were fantastic and had no issues, or if none of them were leaving the warehouse in the first place or what. The biggest offenders I can remember is seeing 2 or 3 items mislabeled / mis-packaged from their factory, like a 32t ring in a package with a 30t sticker on it or something like that.

I always loved all my Blackspire stuff.

Dec. 3, 2023, 12:22 p.m.
Posts: 772
Joined: Feb. 28, 2017

I don't know any details of this wrap-up but I do know from talking to Charlie @ Blackspire years ago that selling products to Chain Reaction was a massive part of their business, so it's impossible to imagine that isn't a big factor here.

I've owned many of their chainrings, a few bash guards and bash tacos, and a few sets of pedals over the years and it was all good value for dollar. Sad to see them go.

"Everything serious is always [Full Suspension]" - Jerry Willows

#JerryWillowsHatesMyBike


 Last edited by: AndrewMajor on Dec. 3, 2023, 12:22 p.m., edited 1 time in total.
Dec. 3, 2023, 1:02 p.m.
Posts: 103
Joined: Oct. 7, 2020

I've really liked any Blackspire products I've had as well, and bonus to support a local business. Bummer to see them go. 

Boxes of components are on Able Auctions, I wish there'd been clean out sale so could have stocked up on bash guard replacements. Maybe someone will get it all and piece out what there is.

Dec. 3, 2023, 1:33 p.m.
Posts: 16236
Joined: Nov. 20, 2002

Un fortunate but a sign of the times

Dec. 3, 2023, 3:41 p.m.
Posts: 330
Joined: Nov. 19, 2002

Rode their chainguides about 20 years ago on my Balfa 2Step and I used several of their chainrings on various bikes. I still have one of their N/W 30t 104BCD chainring on one of my current bikes.

Sad to see a great Canadian company go... :(

Dec. 4, 2023, 6:20 a.m.
Posts: 62
Joined: July 14, 2021

What? Damn it. That sucks. I love my Blackspire Robusto pedals. I guess I won't be able to service them...

Dec. 4, 2023, 6:57 a.m.
Posts: 929
Joined: June 17, 2016

Sad news. I liked their chainrings. No-nonsense, good quality, good value, made in Canada.

Dec. 4, 2023, 9:44 a.m.
Posts: 2649
Joined: April 25, 2003

Dang, I've always loved their stuff!

Dec. 4, 2023, 11:43 a.m.
Posts: 9326
Joined: Nov. 19, 2002

Well....shit. They made solid products at a good price, bummed they are no longer around. I am running one of their iscg bashguards and cranks/chainring on my Prime. Sad to see another Canadian manufacturer go down...sigh...

Dec. 4, 2023, 1:21 p.m.
Posts: 62
Joined: July 14, 2021

If anyone is local, here is the auction site of all the stuff.

https://bid.ableauctions.ca/BIKE-ON-LINE-AUCTION_as94491_p10

Dec. 4, 2023, 3:48 p.m.
Posts: 140
Joined: Feb. 8, 2016

Sad to hear! I used to run their Ring God and Granny God bash rings back in the late 90s. Those things were iconic. Also really love their Nylotrax pedals on my fat bike.

Dec. 5, 2023, 10:02 a.m.
Posts: 385
Joined: Feb. 24, 2017

That sucks. I had spoken to someone this summer that was possibly going to take over the business. Hopefully CRC didn't stiff them payments and put them over the edge.

Dec. 5, 2023, 10:31 a.m.
Posts: 3509
Joined: Nov. 23, 2002

Posted by: earleb

That sucks. I had spoken to someone this summer that was possibly going to take over the business. Hopefully CRC didn't stiff them payments and put them over the edge.

Did you ever consider it?

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