Knight Composites

What Knight Composites does

Knight Composites LLC is a Boulder, Colorado-based custom bicycle wheel manufacturer founded in 2014 and operating as a subsidiary of Janus Cycle Group (which also owns Merlin Metalworks and DEAN Titanium). The company designs, hand-builds, and sells carbon and aluminum wheelsets for road, gravel, cyclocross, and mountain biking, with all production occurring at its 6560 Odell Place headquarters using a 14-21 day custom build process. Core proprietary technologies include T.E.A.M. (Trailing Edge Aerodynamic Manipulation) for aerodynamic performance, EPS (Expanded Polystyrene) molding with aerospace-grade Toray carbon fiber, the patent-protected TLA Tubeless Aero System co-developed with Schwalbe, FusionFiber material technology used in the I-30 USA mountain wheelset, and proprietary Cascade Hubs with IMPEL Ratchet Ring Drive developed in partnership with Realworx.

Revenue is generated exclusively through hardware sales of premium wheelsets priced from $895 to $2,699, with pricing varying by rim type, hub selection (Knight Cascade, DT Swiss, Chris King, Industry Nine, Project 321), and component specification. Distribution combines a 38-store independent bicycle dealer network across the US with direct-to-consumer e-commerce, international shipping, and phone/email sales. The go-to-market is reinforced through professional athlete sponsorships spanning road cycling (Chris Horner, Stefan Denifl, Larry Warbasse), cyclocross (Katie Compton), triathlon (Heather Jackson, Jesse Thomas, Matt Russell), and mountain biking (Annie Last, Novus OMX Pro Team), plus event presence at Sea Otter Classic and earned media in BikeRadar, PinkBike, and Slowtwitch. The customer base spans amateur enthusiasts through professional racers, with a lifetime warranty and crash replacement program as key retention mechanics.

Name

Knight Composites

Legal name

Knight Composites LLC

Website

https://knightcomposites.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Knight Composites is a Boulder, Colorado-based custom carbon bicycle wheel manufacturer founded in 2014 and owned by Janus Cycle Group, selling premium hand-built wheelsets through DTC e-commerce, 38 US bike dealers, and international shipping, serving road, gravel, cyclocross, and mountain cyclists from enthusiasts to professionals.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Bicycle Wheelsets

NAICS

Motorcycle, Bicycle, and Parts Manufacturing (336991)

SIC

Motorcycles, Bicycles & Parts (3751)

akta.pro primary industry

Cycling & Bike Retail (Sales, Service & Accessories) (CRAMABAH)

akta.pro secondary industry

Bike Parts & Components Retail (CRAMAHAB)

Keywords

• Carbon bicycle wheels
• Custom wheelsets
• Tubeless road wheels
• Mountain bike wheels
• Cycling wheel manufacturing

Headquarters

HQ city

Boulder

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Carbon Bicycle Wheels Sales: Custom-built carbon wheelsets sold as one-time purchases. Wheels are hand-built to customer specifications in Boulder, CO. Multiple product lines for Road, Gravel, Cyclocross, and Mountain biking. Additional revenue from parts, accessories, and apparel.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Knight Composites manufactures and sells custom hand-built carbon and alloy bicycle wheelsets for road, mountain, gravel, and cyclocross cycling disciplines. All wheelsets are hand-built in Boulder, Colorado, with a 14-21 day lead time, using proprietary T.E.A.M. aerodynamic technology, EPS molding, and TLA tubeless system. Products are sold direct-to-consumer and through 38 independent bicycle dealers across the United States.

Product overview

Knight Composites is a custom-built carbon and alloy bicycle wheel manufacturer headquartered in Boulder, CO. The company produces wheelsets across three main categories: Road (including the TLA tubeless system), Mountain (I-30 and 27.5 Plus), and Gravel/All Road/Cyclocross. Their proprietary technology includes T.E.A.M. (Trailing Edge Aerodynamic Manipulation) for aerodynamics and EPS (Expanded Polystyrene) molding for manufacturing precision. Knight offers their own branded Knight Cascade and IMPEL hubs alongside third-party hub options (DT Swiss, Chris King, Industry Nine, Project 321). All wheels are hand-built to order with a lifetime warranty and crash replacement guarantee.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Knight 35 TLA Road Disc Tubeless Carbon clincher wheelset with tubeless-ready design, 35mm rim depth, hookless bead profile developed with Schwalbe for easy tubeless installation with standard floor pump. Targeted at road cyclists seeking aerodynamic performance and tubeless convenience.
• Knight 25 Clincher Alloy Tubeless (TLA) Disc

Quantifiable outcome

• 30% more impact resistance than competition
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers11 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• SchwalbecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint development partnership for TLA tubeless system begun in 2016. CEOs Kevin, Beverly, and Jim (Knight founders) and Schwalbe leadership shared commitment to user-friendly tubeless technology. 18 months of joint lab and field testing. Schwalbe Pro One tire optimized for Knight TLA rim profile. Joint marketing promotions with tire and sealant bundle offers.
• SapimcoreTechnology or IntegrationSapim CX-Ray spokes used in most wheel builds. Made in Belgium. Company states Sapim is 'world's best spokes'. CX-Ray bladed spokes featured across product line. Long-time partner of Knight founding members.
• US Military Endurance Sports (USMES)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerOfficial partnership announced December 14, 2015. Non-profit 501(c)(3) supporting endurance sports for military members. Knight provides wheels for entire team including 35, 65, and 95 road wheels plus off-road Gravel, Trail and Enduro wheels. CEO Beverly Lucas: 'incredibly humbling that they trust us to make them even faster'.
• Chris HornerflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner2013 Vuelta a España Grand Tour champion. Joined as Partner and Road Brand Champion January 2016. Testing with Safeway-Airgas team validated Knight as 'right partner'. Role includes road testing, establishing club/team partnerships, and global cycling advocacy. Also became NBC Sports Tour de France commentator in 2019.
• Novus OMX Pro TeamflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerMountain bike XC race team announced January 2016. Goal to become world #1 ranked team by Tokyo 2020. British Champion Annie Last and national champions from Israel (Shlomi Haimy) and South Africa (Mariske Strauss) on roster. Knight wheels featured on team bikes at World Cup events.
• Team IlluminateflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerUCI women's team and men's Continental team. Knight wheels sponsored for 2019 season. Roster includes Colombian climbers, US and international riders. 2013 Vuelta winner Chris Horner associated with team and may make 'appearances' in 2019.
• RealworxcoreTechnology or IntegrationPartnership with Realworx for exclusive design and development of 24T POE gear ring for Cascade Hubs. Realworx parent company involved in aerospace and military applications. Engagement angle of 15 degrees, 120-degree pawl spacing for even force distribution.
• Manufacturing Partner (FusionFiber)coreTechnology or IntegrationAutomated cutting and layup process for FusionFiber rims. Zero waste, zero carbon dust, zero emissions manufacturing. 1/3 less energy to produce. 100% recyclable materials.
• Flowrider RacingminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSwiss distributor. Featured on website with custom bike build featuring Knight 29 Enduro wheels.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Market position

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/knightcomposites
• Xx.com/knightcomposite
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/knight-composites-llc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Knight Composites