Karmic

Sorry folks, these are for friends and family only. As you may have heard, the Bike Industry is in a bit of a pickle. Good luck finding any new bikes for Christmas. We aren’t even able to do our annual charity giveaway this year. Will find other ways to give back to the community.

This is the state of the Bike Industry right now. No one is having an easy time, but few will talk about it. The media loves to write about the Bike Boom. But that’s over. What happens now? Everyone is out of stock and we have 100’s of ships with 1000’s of containers full of bikes and parts stuck off the coast of California. Good luck to everyone trying to get a new bike. And Godspeed to all my Bike Industry Friends this Winter.

What a coincidence! Our very first customer and possibly our very last, just happen to be swim buddies! Keep an eye out for these two around Santa Cruz.

Giving back has been part of the mission since day one. As I tell my kids, “Give if you can. And I hope that you always can.”

I took a day to walk around Sea Otter with no agenda, just hanging out and looking for cool stuff. It was great to see so many Bike Industry Friends, and to see them doing well in these trying times. I still think the Bike Boom is overstated, so it was reassuring to hear the real stories from people who are working in the trenches.

Reports of our death have been greatly exaggerated. Still have some Koben S in each size and color for SF Bay Area customers who are looking for a great commuter bike. Unfortunately we are not shipping bikes at this time.

The people want pics Phil. 😂

So this just happened...

I have a car but I love riding my @karmic.city e-bike or @statebicycleco to do errands, or just pick things up at the end of training rides with my @factorbikes @ottodesignworks and walk around the store in tights. I do believe that bikes can save the world and it’s right under everyone’s noses.

Did a longish ride for Black Friday with my helmet-twin. It was hard, and it hurt, but we helped with Rapha's bike donation efforts. And I saved a bunch of money by *not* buying the latest tech toys (I did buy some bike bits).

Hope everyone is having a safe and fulfilling weekend. We lost a legend in the Technology Startups world, so I am thinking about family and friends even more than usual this Sunday.

I'm not usually one to do long-winded posts on Instagram. I don't think of Karmic as an "activist brand" - but we know what we believe. And we know why we exist.

We make bikes for everyone.

I shared this pic on Twitter, and someone replied:

"Can those two bikes be owned by people who are friends?"

I know it was in jest, but I had to reply.

Yes, very good friends in fact.

I helped him on a months long search for a new ride. The saddle and wheelset on the bike are actually mine, because he's still researching the myriad options for both. But that's what friends are for. We help each other. I was the one who got him into Cycling in the first place. I'm happy for him, because he loves his new bike.

And I love my old one.

While some may look at it and see a heavy steel contraption, these two rides are more similar than you might expect. Top of the line road racing bikes. Lots of race victories racked up by the top riders of their time. 30 years apart in birth, but practically brothers by blood.

Which brings me back to my point. Why do we have to split ourselves apart into new school or old? Road, mountain or electric? By Brands? Who cares what is emblazoned across your jersey or on your downtube? Why can't two friends go for a coffee ride (staying masked and apart) with completely different bikes? At least our helmets match. 😅

On the way back home, we passed a family of four out for a leisurely spin. We gave them a verbal and wide berth as we went by. I looked back and this kid, who couldn't be more than 8yrs old, was spinning his legs like crazy. It made me smile. I gave him a thumbs up and a few words of encouragement. This is the way.

That's what bikes are about. Enjoy the ride (safely) with your friends and family. Welcome the newbies. Teach the next generation. If we don't all do our part, Cycling is over.

Share the love!

All ready for a customer pick up. We've got a handful of Koben M in M, L and XL sizes, in both colors (Green or Orange).

Get one before they're sold out! Best value mid-drive eMTB available.

Just wrapping up our best quarter ever, and I want to thank all of our Karmic Owners, both old and new. While the world is in this pandemic, and America is in chaos, and California is literally burning - we are still hopeful for a better tomorrow. And we will do our part, however small, to ensure that it is.

Also, is back, so I am happy to get a socially distanced brew with anyone to chat about anything or nothing at all. Be well!