3-1-07 // Online Exclusive: Dekerf Continues Operations

After announcing in September that the company would be winding down its Vancouver, British Columbia, frame building operation and eventually closing shop, Dekerf had a change of heart. He will keep his business running for the foreseeable future, with a few minor tweaks

“At the end of the day this was always my first choice, but the orders were getting thin and I was starting to wonder if market was still there,” owner Chris Dekerf said. “We’re in a situation now where we have more orders than we’ve had in a while.”

In the months following the announcement of the company’s closing, Dekerf said he was flooded with phone calls and emails of protest.

“People expressed support not just verbally, but in actions as well—by placing orders,” Dekerf said. “That was the most significant factor in reconsidering our decision. That, plus our distributor in the UK demonstrated that there was a strong market for us there.”

The newly revitalized bike brand has expanded its custom paint offering, which has helped buoy sales of its signature steel hardtails like the Team SST, the Implant and the Solitaire. Dekerf said he also has been working on a longer-travel revamp of his Phenomenon full-suspension frame.

Dekerf will also begin selling consumer direct, in addition to its longstanding retail program.

Dekerf said his bikes have sold through hundreds of U.S. retail locations in the company’s 17-year history, but because Dekerf doesn’t sell complete bikes, solely relying on a bike-shop-only strategy was holding the company back.

For more information, go to www.dekerf.com