



James Huang / Immediate Media James Huang / Immediate Media James Huang / Immediate Media James Huang / Immediate Media

Bicycle Retailer and Industry News has reported that American Classic, makers of wheels, hubs, and formerly seatposts, has announced it has closed its Taiwan-based factory, is selling its intellectual property, and laid off close to 40 employees.


American Classic was founded by Bill Shook, a road and track racer who raced on the US National Team. The company’s first components, a lightweight bottle cage and an adjustable seatpost, were launched in 1982.

American Classic made its name primarily with wheels, particularly lightweight aluminum wheels laced to its own hubs.

James Huang / Immediate Media

As recently as 2013, American Classic produced over 27,000 wheelsets in its Taichung, Taiwan factory. And that was with all of the higher-end wheels being completely built by hand.

Lower-priced wheels were built by a machine, but checked and finished by hand.

Co-owner Ellen Kast told Bicycle Retailer and Industry News of sales difficulties that started in 2016 and that American Classic attempted to secure some original equipment spec with price-conscious wheels, but it didn’t work out.


According to Bicycle Retailer, Shook also noted that he will be doing more design work and will be available for consulting.