If you’ve been a long-time cyclist, then you will have definitely heard of Nashbar bikes such as the 1985 Nashbar Toure MT which was one of the Nashbar fans’ favorite and highly suggested bikes for beginners during its era. But you might ask, “Is Nashbar a good bike brand now? Find out!
However, there will be no endorsement of any Bike Nashbar products or bikes today, or any time in the near future. In fact, it’s best that you do not buy anything from Bike Nashbar unless it’s a used bike from 2018 or earlier. So in this article, we’re going to take a look back at Nashbar’s history and its relevance in today’s new age instead.
The online bike retailer Nashbar used to allow cyclists to purchase cycling products at incredibly low prices. Not only does the company sell quality accessories and apparel but they also offer their customers refund and return services in case anyone isn’t entirely satisfied with any of their purchases at their brick and mortar stores or online shop, so you don’t have anything to lose by shopping here.
Advanced Sports Enterprises (ASE) once owned Nashbar, formerly known as “Bike Nashbar” and manufactured all things bike-related. As of February 2019, the ownership of Bike Nashbar has changed. This has led to Bike Nashbar being sold off to a new company that’s now operating as cycling-based retail.
Nashbar offers some of the most attractive benefits with its membership program. For example, VIP members receive a variety of attractive discounts not available to non-members and allow for extended return policies on merchandise purchased, rewards points for shopping that can be redeemed for gift cards or gear, and a lot more.
Nashbar History
If you’re a long-time cyclist, or perhaps are looking to try one out for the first time, you may be familiar with that time when Nashbar Bikes were delivered via mail. Back in the 1980s until the early 1990s, you’d receive their bikes because you signed up to race professionally with them.
Nashbike fans used to thumb through that catalog every week as a way of picking out all of the great biking gear. It wasn’t bigger than all other bike shops that existed at the time, but it was bigger than some other big catalog companies like Performance Bike.
Two brands with unique identities: While Performance is geared towards the more advanced cyclist, Nashbar is meant for those people who are looking to spend less money on cycling gear as they get started. In the early 2000s, Performance launched many brick-and-mortar cycling stores throughout the country on all 106 locations in their prime.
Okay, so this is how everything started for Nashbar.
In 1974, Arni Nashbar, an advertising executive, started Nashbar LLP. What Arni started as a mail-order company specializing in bicycle parts ended up grossing over $6 million – an incredible feat within just ten years.
And then Nashbar opened five retail locations in the late ‘80s; they have two Ohio branches while there’s only one in Detroit, Washington, and Boston.
one in Washington, Detroit, Boston, and two in Ohio. Each location emphasized repair and service, and a discount on equipment for cyclists. In the 1990s, the U.S Postal Cycling Team even got sponsorship from Nashbar.
Then some years later, Nashbar became international and its business grew at such a rapid rate that it was able to offer customers unbelievable discounts on all kinds of products. This meant that its major consumers were serious travelers, racers, and mountain bikers who would willingly spend $50-70 per order.
Then, ASE acquired Nashbar in 2016 after struggling financially some years prior to that. But Nashbar still didn’t get back on its feet under the management of ASE leading to ASE filing for Bankruptcy in 2018. It is said that the high costs of their leases and the low revenue and profit of their brick-and-mortar establishments are what caused the bankruptcy.
In 2019, Nashbar decided to return to its historic roots when it was purchased by The owners of AMain Sports and Hobbies, Kendall and Kelly Bennett, bought Nashbar in 2019 and went back to how it used to operate in its early days. The Bennetts runs it now with multiple successful brick-and-mortar retail businesses as well as a thriving online marketplace.
Amain did not purchase any of the actual warehouses, inventory, or stores on its own. Amain.com has been running and updating sites, performancebike.com and nashbar.com, and are currently fully functional.
Models of Nashbar Bikes
Before, Nashbar had a wide selection of different types of bicycles for you to choose from depending on whatever fancies you. Nashbar bikes come in many different colors and styles to suit anyone’s preference and bicycle accessories are also available to make your final product unique.
The following classes of Nashbar bikes that you’ll find at their store back in the day include single-speeds, mountain bikes, road bikes, cruisers, fixed gears, commuters, and hybrids. But now, it’ll take a lot of browsing on their website to find products that will appeal to you – or never at all.
But what’s cool about Nashbar before is that they offer a variety of cycling gear, from popular clothing to parts and accessories that match most bikes on the market. They do still offer that now but not really the way it was once.
Nashbar Bikes for Fitness and Racing
People loved Nashbar’s road bikes before because there were plenty of things you can do with their once very versatile machine. But you can still enjoy one if you own one but under careful riding.
There were so many high-performance bikes designed for speed and comfort in this retailer. You can also find more simple models suited to take on a standard daily commute, as well as racing models for competitions, and anything that suits just general riding and fun.
Different Nashbar bikes came at different prices, from below $200 to as much as $2,500 or more. So you were bound to find what you need when you consider Nashbar bikes. There were some unique flat bar bikes, touring bikes, endurance models, some e-bikes, drop-bar options, etc. Now, Nashbar bikes seem to be so different than what they used to be.
Nashbar Bikes for Off-Roading
At Nashbar, you’ll find a great selection of mountain bikes. Within this section, you’ll mostly find Fuji-made bikes and some Marin models. There are two different mountain bike sizes to choose from, 29 inches or 27.5 inches. And you can even go for a hardtail or a full-suspension mountain bike.
Nashbar knows how important it is to consider the needs of every cyclist, regardless of their budget or skill level. That’s why they offer a selection of bikes for different tastes, like cheap bikes for starters, mid-range models for enthusiasts, and professional models built specially to suit anything from commuting in style to competing professionally.
If you’re looking to add some extra boost of power to your trail riding, there are several models of electric mountain bikes to help you tackle the toughest challenges that come with a bit of extra pedaling.
One of the bikes you’ll find on their website is this awesome budget-friendly Lux 1 Hardtail MTB by Diamondback. It’s not a Nashbar but it’s a good bike – if not better. A lot of searching and browsing were made to find their 1985 Nashbar Toure MT and 2017 Nashbar 105 bike, but these bikes seem to be things of the past and are merely collector’s items.
Lux 1 Hardtail Mountain Bike by Diamondback
Lux 1 features award-winning geometry, large wheels, and confidence-inspiring Tektro Aries mechanical disc brakes and shocks that make it comfortable to ride whether you’re cruising your local smooth roads or making off-road loops through the countryside. You’ll find the Diamondback Lux 1 Hardtail priced cheaper on Nashbar’s official website than on Amazon.
Nashbar Accessories
Beyond its amazing range of bikes, Nashbar also offers an extensive collection of accessories for cyclists. Whatever you will ever need, chances are that you would find it here.
Some interesting categories that might interest you to explore are GPS, computers, power meters, locks, lights, packs, nutrition, water bottles, racks, bags, cages, and trainers. They are only a few of the accessories you’ll find in Nashbar, and shipping on all of these small things is just a dollar and ninety-nine.
VIP Rewards Program
Nashbar goes above and beyond to make sure their customers have a great experience. They have a VIP program instituted for the most loyal and regular customers that make them feel like they’re getting a lot of extras when purchasing items from Nashbar.
The special benefits offered to you as a VIP member include member-only discounts, spendable rewards points, and extended return policies. There are three levels for this VIP Program, each one with its benefits.
If you make a purchase of $500 or more, you’re entitled to their Silver program. Purchasing $1000 or more will reward you’re their Gold and an over $2,999 worth of purchase gives you their Platinum rewards.
When you make more purchases, you earn more rewards. The more rewards points you earn, the more new items will be added to your collection.
Nashbar Offerings
Nashbar has been through many changes over the years, but it’s always maintained that one thing – delivering on its pledge. The following below are included.
Quality Decent Bikes
Despite the fact that Nashbar bikes and accessories are perceived as affordable, it doesn’t mean that their products are a great fit for those looking to get fit on a tight budget. You can argue that the price of the bikes and accessories represent a good deal given the performance benefits they impart upon users.
They have quality Shimano components on their bikes, which are almost all bodies of work that never disappoint with their shifting performance.
Discount Bikes
From the start, Nashbar has been an affordable solution for bikers of all types. Unlike its sister site Performance Bike, which primarily offers high-end bikes for hard-core bikers, Nashbar began as a way to give customers access to budget-friendly bikes that come with an assortment of perks.
One of the most awesome aspects of Nashbar is that you can find all kinds of awesome bikes here. They have hybrid bikes, touring bikes, road bikes, and many more.
A bike purchased from this shop is not only available at many retailers, but it used to be also available on sites such as eBay, Amazon, and even Walmart. There are few Nashbar products found on these sites with Amazon almost no stock anymore – except for some bikes from different brands sold on both Nashbar’s website and on Amazon. So feel free to get the budget bike that still looks great with Nashbar. They have a range of prices and styles you can afford.
DIY Bike Assembly
Nashbar bikes mostly arrive with some assembly required. So, before you hit the road, it may be a good idea to get any bits that remain getting built correctly.
Putting the bicycle yourself together via the highly structured how-to-manual that comes with your bike is less expensive than a company bringing together parts and assembling them.
Quick and Sometimes Free Shipping
Depending on what shipping option you choose, Nashbar promises to get bikes delivered to your home within 1-2 days. As for the shipping, Nashbar has the most flexible options out there. It offers you a flat rate of $1.99. And if you’re in a hurry to get your package, go for their $3.99 rush fees.
The best part about shopping at Nashbar is they offer free shipping on orders of $99 or more. If that isn’t enough to convince you, here’s more: Nashbar sells a lot of different things, not just bikes and bike accessories. On their website, you’ll find clothes and tools too, in addition to other things that they offer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Nashbar bikes still good to own and ride these days?
Nashbar offers amazing bikes and accessories that are budget-friendly and you can’t beat the quality. If you use their site’s search tools, you’ll have no problem finding exactly what’s in stock for you to peruse: whatever your needs may be.
In addition, you’ll be able to shop for a wide array at prices that is cheaper than anywhere else. Additionally, Nashbar will set you up with free shipping on orders more than $100. Also, keep in mind that Nashbar has all sorts of bikes for you to choose from and specializes in selling hybrid bikes, so you know it’s a reliable source.
What happened to the Nashbar brand?
Performance Bike acquired Nashbar in 2000. In 2016, ASE purchased Performance and rebranded the stores to their current name – Nashbar Bike. But ASE went bankrupt in 2018. Fortunately, AmainCycling purchased both ASE and PerformanceBike in 2019 and the two websites are now sister sites. So, as you know Nashbar and PerformanceBike are both run by the same team behind AmainCycling.
Where do Nashbar frames come from?
The Sunrise bike Manufacturer currently makes frames for the Nashbar brand. This highly-esteemed organization comes with lots of experience and a strong record of fabricating top-notch bike components.
Will Nashbar accept returns?
Bike Nashbar will no longer honor orders made before the ownership changed hands. Any orders placed after that day is subject to their latest return policies.
What happened to Performance Bike?
In 2008, a year after the owners of Performance Bike, ASE, filed for bankruptcy, Performance Bike and Nashbar Bike found a new owner: AmainCycling.com. AmainCycling.com however operates its two brands independently. Performance Bike is a high-end store offering premium bikes, while Nashbar provides cost-conscious customers with quality, but more affordable products.
Is Nashbar out of the bike scene?
In 2012, Nashbar Bike and the ASE filed for bankruptcy but they were bought by AmainCycling.com a year later, who are still operating their business today. Nashbar is under new ownership, but they’re still going to sell its great products for only the best prices. You can visit the online store of Nashbar and shop for a wide selection of bicycles, cycling gear, clothing, and other accessories.
Does Performance own Nashbar?
Since 2000, Performance Bike Inc. has owned Nashbar. While the two brands operate as individual companies, they are kept separate and are never combined. Performance Bike is known for its excellent, high-quality bikes. However, Nashbar has a reputation for affordable fitness and cycling-related products. AmainCycling.com owns both websites.
Is Performance Bike the same as Nashbar?
Performance Bike owns Nashbar, but the two companies function very differently. Performance Bike is a more high-end option with better products and design, whereas Nashbar is an affordable convenience store alternative.
Can I use Nashbar’s website to buy a bike?
There is a new owner of Nashbar Bike but you can still buy the same products on the site they started with. You can visit www.nashbar.com. Alternatively, you’ll have a variety of choices when it comes to purchasing bicycles. You can purchase from a variety of stores such as Walmart, Amazon, and other major retailers.
Is Performance Bike available online?
Performance Bike, just like Nashbar Bike, is open for business online. Performance bikes were sold to the owners of AmainCycling.com and were given their name from now on: Performance Bike. In 2019, the e-commerce giant AmainCycling procured the ownership of PerformanceBike, and Nashbar, two well-known retailers of cycling equipment and sports gear.
Conclusion
It’s unfortunate to see that the old Nashbar, who was popular for its VIP Rewards program and competitive prices, has stepped out of the spotlight.
They had some great models for amateur bicyclists and their prices were usually cheaper than their main competitor’s. Plus, they made some awesome affordable models that deliver surprisingly amazing performance.
They used to be a great place to shop for bikes, but now you’re better off with other retailers and bike brands.
