BROOMFIELD, Colo. (BRAIN) — Two Colorado-based bike e-commerce retailers have merged.
On Dec. 9, Colorado Cyclist, based in Colorado Springs, merged with Broomfield-based Planet Cyclery. Both are now owned by Velo Operating, LLC., a new company now headquartered at Planet Cyclery’s facility.
The combined companies have been recapitalized through a private investment by Sterling Partners of Chicago, according to a statement.
“The merger under Velo provides a solid platform for improved flexibility, better customer focus and deeper vendor relationships,” the companies said.
Colorado Cyclist was founded by Doug Bruinsma in 1979 in Estes Park, near the edge of Rocky Mountain National Park. It later moved to Colorado Springs and grew to become a leading cycling catalog mail-order operator before the advent of the internet. The company has long offered a broad selection of handcrafted wheels, custom gear sets and other bike gear. In addition to its e-commerce business, Colorado Cyclist has a retail storefront at its facility on East Bijou Street.
Planet Cyclery was founded in 2007 by David Kindrachuk, a former Johnson & Johnson scientist. It claims to be the fastest-growing online retailer of cycling parts and accessories. “An industry newcomer by comparison to Colorado, the dedication of Planet’s staff has enabled the company to gain market prominence,” the company said. “Its success is attributed to its ability extend the reach of marque brands on major retail marketplaces and its own website.”
In addition to its headquarters on Interlochen Parkway in Broomfield, Planet Cyclery has a retail store on Arista Place.
