Caminade
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Bicycle manufacturing |
| Founded | 1910 |
| Founder | Pierre Caminade |
| Defunct | 1950 (original company) |
| Fate | Reestablished in 2013 as independent brand |
| Headquarters | Near Perpignan , France |
Area served | France |
| Products | Bicycle frames and components (steel and aluminium) |
| Website | www |
Caminade is a longstanding French brand specializing in the production of bicycle frames and components, with all manufacturing taking place within France. Initially, Caminade crafted frames using steel and subsequently transitioned to Dural aluminium; however, their latest models have reverted to steel construction. The current range features four distinct bicycles:
- One4All: a full suspension mountain bike
- Simpletrack: a hardtail mountain bike
- Gravel: designed for gravel and trail riding
- Route66: a road cycling model
History
Established in 1910 by Pierre Caminade, the company remained active until approximately 1950. From 1936 onwards, Caminade exclusively utilized Dural aluminium for their frames, which incorporated octagonal tubes connected by bolt-clamped lugs. These aluminium frames, known as Caminargent, were fully disassemblable employing simple tools.
In 2012, Brice Epailly conceptualized the One4All bike and joined forces with Sylvain Renouf. This collaboration led to the creation of the new Caminade brand in 2013 as an independent entity, supported by regional government initiatives from Languedoc-Roussillon and local enterprise development grants. Contrary to many competitors relocating production overseas to reduce expenses, Caminade prioritizes manufacturing entirely within France. The company’s headquarters are situated near Perpignan.
Current manufacturing process
Frame fabrication is entrusted to Cyfac, an expert frame builder with three decades of experience based in the Tour region. Moving components are produced by Berieau. Tubing materials include selections from Reynolds (853DZB) and Columbus (29er or Spirit), alongside other French-manufactured tubes that meet class 2 aeronautical certification standards. The rear triangle of the All4One model is supplied by Aircraft.
Caminade applies automotive-grade paint finishes, offering a variety of customizable colors and design options.
A different approach
The brand emphasizes ease of maintenance by adopting a 1x11 drivetrain configuration, which simplifies the setup, enhances durability, and reduces weight by removing the front derailleur. This design choice compensates for the additional mass associated with steel frames.
Steel is selected for its superior comfort, strength, and straightforward repairability, supported by a lifetime warranty. Although steel may slightly diminish climbing efficiency, it provides excellent comfort during descents and has garnered favorable evaluations overall.
Custom painting
Caminade provides bespoke paint services on their bicycles, allowing customers to personalize their bikes according to individual preferences.
Partnership
The company collaborates with French firm Motion-France, known for developing a carbon-sprung suspension fork without springs that incorporates anti-diving features. A beta version was trialed by select riders in spring 2016, with plans for commercial availability in 2017.