Niner co-founder launches Domahidy Designs

Niner co-founder launches Domahidy Designs

Initial Kickstarter debut features two 29er hardtails

Niner co-founder Steve Domahidy is launching his own bicycle company, Domahidy Designs, on Kickstarter

Courtesy

Josh Patterson

Published: February 20, 2014 at 7:03 pm
Niner co-founder Steve Domahidy is launching his own bicycle company, Domahidy Designs, on Kickstarter - Courtesy
Domahidy Designs will initially offer two models, one of which is a steel 29er hardtail - Courtesy
Domahidy Designs will also offer a titanium 29er hardtail - Courtesy
The frames can be set up with gears or as a singlespeed - Courtesy
The main tubes of the steel model will be Reynolds 853 - Courtesy
Both models have sliding dropouts and 142x12 axle spacing - Courtesy
A bolt connects the dropout to the seatstay, making the frames compatible with Gates Carbon belts - Courtesy
Domahidy Designs headbadge on the tapered headtube - Courtesy
Domahidy Designs proposed frame geometry - Courtesy
Domahidy plans to offer cyclocross, fat bikes, high-end kids bikes and full suspension models - Courtesy

Niner co-founder Steve Domahidy is poised to launch a new company through the crowd-funded site Kickstarter. Domahidy Designs initial offering will consist of two 29er hardtails: a Reynolds 853 steel model that will retail for $899, and a titanium version that will retail for $1,799.

Both models feature the same geometry and thoroughly modern frame features, including tapered headtubes, 142x12 rear thru-axles, sliding dropouts for singlespeed use, and a bolted junction at drive-side seatstay and dropout, making the frames compatible with the Gates Carbon Drive system.

Click through the gallery at right for more details.

A bolt connects the dropout to the seatstay, making the frames compatible with gates carbon belts: - Courtesy

Domahidy Designs frames use sliding dropouts, 142x12 axle spacing and are compatible with belt drive

Expected delivery of the Kickstarter-funded frame and complete bikes is late August or early September.

If the Kickstarter launch is successful, Domahidy plans to offer a number of different models. “I've got huge ideas in the CX segment as well as the fat bike segment. I'm also very keen to make high-end kids bikes, because there just aren't enough options there and I want my kids (who are 8 and 10) to be riding cool bikes,” said Domahidy.

Domahidy said that full-suspension mountain bikes are also a possibility.

While at Niner, Domahidy developed the CVA suspension system, though he plans to go with another suspension platform for mountain bikes designed under the company that bears his name. “CVA is my patent, but Niner owns the IP. I have some pretty huge ideas, though, about suspension but it's radical and will cost some money to develop," he said. "I have a lot of stuff brewing and a lot of great relationships with other innovators in the industry, so we'll have to see where the pieces land.”

Domahidy left Niner in 2011. Shortly thereafter, he partnered with Factor Bikes to develop the Vis Vres road bike.

Domahidy plans to offer cyclocross, fat bikes, high-end kids bikes and full suspension models: domahidy plans to offer cyclocross, fat bikes, high-end kids bikes and full suspension models - Courtesy

Domahidy said he was not restrained by a non-compete clause with Niner, but rather, he wanted to approach this project methodically. “I was in no hurry to launch and in no rush to meet a deadline," he said. "I launched when I was ready.”

Josh Patterson

Contributor

Josh Patterson is a BikeRadar contributor and former technical editor. He has spent most of his career working in the cycling industry as an athlete, mechanic and journalist. He holds a master's degree in journalism and has more than 20 years of experience as a cyclist and 12 years of experience riding and writing for BikeRadar, Cyclingnews, Cycling Weekly, Dirt Rag, RoadBikeReview and Outside Magazine. A native of the Flint Hills of Kansas, Josh was a pioneer in the gravel cycling movement, having raced the first Unbound 200 and many other gravel events around the globe. He considers himself a cycling generalist and enjoys road, gravel and mountain biking in equal measure. When not traveling for work, he can be found exploring the singletrack and lonely gravel roads that surround his home in Fort Collins, Colorado. In addition to his love of cycling, Josh is an enthusiastic supporter of brunch, voting rights and the right to repair movement.
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