LEGACY

American Classic exemplifies the pinnacle of performance bicycle engineering and innovation. Nearly 40 years ago, founder Bill Shook was a talented professional road racer who raced for the US National Team. A drive to create better, lighter products inspired him to start experimenting in his garage, engineering his own aluminum bicycles and components. Shook unveiled American Classic in 1982 with bottle cages and a micro-adjust seatpost, then quickly moved into other component designs, becoming a leader in lightweight innovation.

A global search for the finest production facilities led American Classic to form an early partnership with Taiwanese manufacturers in the mid-’90s, which in turn led to the first American Classic factory in Taichung. Obsessive control on every product from prototype to manufacturing at scale fast-tracked American Classic to be a leader in aftermarket wheels. Its product offering made no sacrifice and spared no expense, delivering a forward-thinking, lightweight design with a heritage that was equal parts racing and engineering.

Once again, American Classic is rewriting the rule book with industry-leading manufacturing facilities and a complete line of gravel, road, and commuter tires — with more component offerings to come. Tires are often an afterthought of the bicycle’s design, though recent developments in American Classic’s rubber technologies allow us to push forward with innovation that delivers our heritage.