Skip to content

Iconic British bicycle manufacturer announcing production of last 50 bespoke bicycles before permanent shutdown

Yorkshire's Feather business to close down following a 16-year run

Acclaimed British bicycle craftsman accepting commission for a final batch of 50 personalized bikes...
Acclaimed British bicycle craftsman accepting commission for a final batch of 50 personalized bikes prior to shut down operation

Iconic British bicycle manufacturer announcing production of last 50 bespoke bicycles before permanent shutdown

Ricky Feather, a renowned custom steel frame-builder, has announced his retirement from bike-making and the production of his final 50 custom bikes, which he has named 'The Final 50'.

Feather, who has run Feather Cycles, a Yorkshire-based company, single-handedly for 16 years, has experienced both highs and lows in his journey. However, the pressures of running a small business have taken their toll, leading to his decision to retire.

Feather's bikes sit on the premium end of the market in terms of pricing. A Cervélo and a Colnago, both high-end bikes, are priced at six-and-a-half to seven grand for a frameset, more than what Ricky Feather quotes for a custom frame. Despite this, Feather's custom bikes have found a market, with the demand for high-end products evident in the prices of premium bikes in local bike shops.

Feather's motivation to build bikes remains, but he has run out of energy for managing the business. He is determined to go out on his own terms by completing 'The Final 50' bikes. The production of these bikes will likely take a couple of years.

In an interview with our website, Feather shared his feelings about his journey. He revealed that he will spend the next two years building the final 50 bikes. After completing 'The Final 50', Ricky Feather plans to close his WKNDR brand and shut down Feather Cycles.

However, not everything has been smooth sailing for Feather. He has suffered a serious back issue due to the pandemic, which affected his work pace. Additionally, some people have pulled out of orders with Ricky Feather without notice, leaving him with financial losses and half-built frames.

Despite these challenges, Feather remains optimistic. He found that there is still demand for high-end products, and he is taking orders online for his final 50 custom bikes, priced between £11,000-£16,000.

For those looking for specific information about Ricky or his business decisions, it might be helpful to check different sources or news articles related to Feather Cycles. Unfortunately, the provided search results do not contain information about Ricky Feather and his decision to limit the production of his custom bicycles and close Feather Cycles.

As Feather embarks on this new chapter, he leaves behind a legacy of handcrafted, premium custom bikes that have graced the roads for 16 years. The bike-making community eagerly awaits 'The Final 50' and bids farewell to a true master of his craft.

Read also:

Latest