Trek Bicycle Corporation
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Bicycle manufacturing and distribution |
| Founded | December 1975 |
| Founder | Dick Burke, Bevil Hogg |
| Headquarters | Waterloo, Wisconsin , United States |
Area served | Worldwide (North America, Europe, Asia, South Africa) |
| Products | Bicycles, cycling accessories, electric motorcycles |
| Website | www |
Trek Bicycle Corporation designs, manufactures, and distributes bicycles, cycling accessories, and electric motorcycles under several brand names such as Trek, Electra Bicycle Company, Bontrager, and Diamant Bikes. In the past, Trek also produced bicycles under the Gary Fisher, LeMond Racing Cycles, Klein, and Villiger labels. The company is based in Waterloo, Wisconsin and supplies products through a network of 1,700 independent retailers throughout North America, along with subsidiaries located in Europe, Asia, and South Africa, and partnerships spanning 90 countries worldwide. The majority of its manufacturing operations take place abroad in countries including the Netherlands, Germany, Taiwan, and China.
1976–1979 — Founding period
Trek Bicycle was established in December 1975 by entrepreneur Dick Burke and Bevil Hogg as a division of Milwaukee’s Roth Corporation. Beginning in early 1976 with a team of five employees, Trek focused on producing steel touring bicycle frames aimed at the mid- to high-end segments dominated by Japanese and Italian manufacturers. That initial year saw the creation of nearly 900 hand-brazed framesets priced under $200. The company was officially incorporated later in 1976 and secured its first retail partner, Penn Cycle in Minnesota, by 1977. By 1979, Trek’s sales had grown to roughly $2 million.
1980–1984 — Expansion into a formal business
By the late 1970s, Trek’s sales growth was constrained by limited production capacity. Having outgrown its original "red barn" facility, the company commenced construction in 1980 on a new headquarters near Waterloo. Co-founder Dick Burke remarked that "it wasn’t until we built the new factory that we became a business." With increased manufacturing capability, Trek began assembling complete bicycles. In 1981, it introduced the steel road racing “Pro” series featuring models such as the 750 and 950. Two years later, in 1983, Trek launched its inaugural mountain bike model, the 850. By 1984, the company expanded into aftermarket parts and accessories through the establishment of its Trek Components Group (TCG).
1985–1991 — Pioneering technology
In 1985, Trek incorporated aerospace-derived technologies and innovations from firms like Alan and Vitus to unveil its bonded aluminum frame model named the 2000. Moving from hand-brazed steel to bonded aluminum presented manufacturing challenges that caused delays. The following year, in 1986, Trek debuted the carbon composite 2500 model, marking its first venture into carbon fiber bicycles. To accommodate this growth phase, additional manufacturing space was added at Waterloo that same year. In 1988, Trek entered the cycling apparel market with the launch of "Trek Wear." The company took its first steps into international markets in 1989 by establishing subsidiaries in both the UK and Germany while introducing Jazz—a line of entry-level and children’s bikes produced in Taiwan; however, Jazz was discontinued by 1993.
A significant achievement came in 1989 when Trek released its first molded carbon fiber frame: the lightweight Trek 5000 featuring a monocoque carbon frame paired with a bonded aluminum fork. Although quality issues led to its withdrawal after only one year on the market, this project accelerated Trek’s development of proprietary carbon manufacturing expertise.
In 1990, Trek introduced MultiTracks—hybrid bicycles combining mountain bike comfort with road bike speed—and launched its initial children’s bike collection. The next year saw the opening of Trek’s first company-owned retail outlet in Madison, Wisconsin. This store displayed the full range of products and operated as a training facility for new employees without prior retail experience while also serving as an experimental platform for merchandising and marketing approaches before wider deployment through independent dealers.
1992–1996 — OCLV Development and Strategic Acquisitions
During the early 1990s, Bob Read, Trek’s technology director, recognized carbon fiber as a critical material for the company’s advancement. Trek committed substantial resources to developing its own carbon fiber production capabilities, debuting its proprietary OCLV (Optimum Compaction, Low Void) Carbon frames in 1992 with the introduction of the 5500 and 5200 models. The 5500 frame weighed a mere 2.44 pounds, establishing it as the lightest mass-produced road frame worldwide at that time. To accommodate this innovation, Trek expanded its Waterloo headquarters to encompass 140,000 square feet. That same year marked Trek’s foray into full suspension mountain bikes with the launch of the 9000-series equipped with the T3C suspension system.
In 1993, Trek unveiled OCLV Carbon mountain bike frames, the 9800 and 9900 models, with the latter weighing just 2.84 pounds, making it the lightest production mountain bike frame globally.
Trek strengthened its market position through acquisitions, most notably acquiring Gary Fisher Mountain Bikes in 1993. Founded by mountain biking trailblazer Gary Fisher in 1983, this brand was a pioneer in off-road cycling. The acquisition, facilitated by Howie Cohen, significantly bolstered Trek’s presence in the mountain bike sector.
In 1994, Trek ventured into the home fitness arena with Exercycles but divested this division as Vision Fitness in 1996 to sharpen focus on its core bicycle manufacturing.
Continuing diversification efforts in 1995, Trek introduced the full suspension Y bike, which garnered an "Outstanding Design and Engineering Award" from Popular Mechanics. That year also saw key acquisitions including Klein Bicycles, a high-end aluminum-frame manufacturer based in Chehalis, Washington, and Bontrager Cycles from Santa Cruz, known for components and steel frames. Additionally, Trek secured a long-term licensing deal with Greg LeMond to design and market LeMond Racing Cycles. A new assembly plant opened in Whitewater, Wisconsin in 1995 allowed Waterloo to specialize exclusively in frame production.
1997–2005 — Armstrong Era and Continued Growth
In 1997, Trek signed former world road race champion Lance Armstrong to ride for the Trek-sponsored U.S. Postal Service Pro Cycling Team. Armstrong claimed his inaugural Tour de France victory in 1999 on a Trek 5500 frame, becoming the first American to win the Tour riding an American team on an American-made bicycle. He proceeded to win seven consecutive Tours de France, all on Trek bikes except for some early time trial stages where he used a Litespeed bike rebranded as Trek.
The year 1998 saw the creation of Trek’s Advanced Concepts Group (ACG), a specialized team of designers and engineers dedicated to technological innovation. ACG developed key products used by Armstrong during his Tour victories, such as the original Trek Madone (2003) and the TTX time trial bike (2005). In addition, Trek inaugurated its first European manufacturing facility in Carlow, Ireland; this plant operated until production shifted to Hartmannsdorf, Germany in 2004.
Responding to female cyclists’ specific requirements, Trek launched Women's Specific Design (WSD) bicycles and accessories in 2000 that catered to women’s sizing and ergonomic needs. In October 2001, Project One was introduced—a custom bike program enabling clients to personalize paint colors and component selections.
In December 2002, Trek expanded into upscale cycling tours with the establishment of Trek Travel as a wholly owned subsidiary; this division was spun off in January 2007 but continues maintaining a strong collaborative relationship with Trek.
Trek broadened its European footprint by acquiring Swiss company Villiger and German brand Diamant in 2003. These acquisitions provided entry into the active-leisure bicycle market and included ownership of the Hartmannsdorf manufacturing site. In 2005, Trek entered China by opening two retail outlets in Beijing and forming partnerships with twenty distributors.
That same year featured an expansion of Trek’s Waterloo headquarters to accommodate growing engineering, research and development, and marketing departments. This extension included an atrium exhibit displaying historically significant bicycles from across Trek’s brands—highlighting early Gary Fisher mountain bikes alongside seven of Armstrong’s Tour de France models spanning from 1999 through 2005.
2006–present
Trek unveiled its 1 World 2 Wheels advocacy initiative in 2008 during the annual Trek World dealer gathering in Madison, Wisconsin. A key element of this campaign was the "Go By Bike" program, which encouraged Americans to choose cycling over driving for trips shorter than two miles. As part of this effort, Trek committed $1 million to the League of American Bicyclists’ "Bicycle Friendly Community" initiative and contributed $600,000 to the International Mountain Bicycling Association’s Trail Solutions Services. On January 6, 2014, Trek expanded its lineup by acquiring the Electra Bicycle Company.
In 2009, Trek launched the Trek Women Triathlon Series and by 2011 had extended its sponsorship to three women-focused triathlon series: the Trek Women Triathlon Series, Danskin Series, and Iron Girl Series, strengthening its engagement in women’s sports markets.
Beginning in 2014, Trek assumed the role of primary sponsor for the UCI ProTour team Trek Factory Racing, maintaining its previous involvement with Team RadioShack and co-sponsorship of Team Leopard-Trek.
A notable milestone occurred in 2017 when Trek became the first company in the industry to award equal prize money to male and female winners at the Cyclocross World Cup event hosted at its Waterloo headquarters, demonstrating a strong commitment to gender equality in professional cycling.
In 2021, Trek introduced its professional-grade Madone road bicycle, featuring cutting-edge technology utilized by top athletes in competitions such as the Tour de France, thereby reinforcing its position in the high-performance cycling market.
2014 unified hour record
The UCI standardized hour record categories in 2014 to conform with current track pursuit bike standards. Subsequently, German rider Jens Voigt attempted the hour record on September 18, 2014, at the Velodrome Suisse, Grenchen, Switzerland, aboard a Trek bicycle. He established a new distance record of 51.110 km, exceeding the previous best by 1.410 km.
In the media
Bicycles from Trek’s Y series appeared on the television show Pacific Blue, outfitted with Spinergy wheels, NiteRider lighting systems, and Janned police bags—each bike valued at approximately $5,000.
Production
Initially producing bicycles in Wisconsin, Trek broadened its manufacturing footprint during the mid-1990s by acquiring brands such as Bontrager, Gary Fisher, LeMond Racing Cycles, Klein, and Villiger Bikes; some production was integrated internally. Today, most Trek frames are manufactured in Taiwan, Cambodia, and China. Premium frames produced in Taiwan are finished and assembled in Wisconsin through the Project One custom bike program. Among key suppliers is China's Quest Composite Technology, which also produces frames for German brand Canyon.
Eco-friendly products
In 2010, Trek partnered with suppliers to launch affordable steel bicycles—selected for their recyclability—and began supporting bike shops in recycling old inner tubes into bags and panniers via Seattle-based Alchemy Goods.
Bontrager
The Bontrager line encompasses helmets, tires, wheels, handlebars, stems, seatposts, saddles, electronics, cycling shoes, water bottles, apparel, and accessories. As part of Trek’s strategy to consolidate acquired American brands such as Klein, Gary Fisher, and LeMond under one umbrella, Bontrager products are gradually being replaced by those branded directly as Trek.
LeMond brand
Trek's collaboration with Tour de France champion Greg LeMond commenced in 1995 when LeMond granted Trek the rights to manufacture bicycles under his name. By 1999, the LeMond collection had become one of the fastest expanding and ranked within the top five road bike brands across the United States.
In 2008, LeMond Cycling Inc initiated legal action against Trek, accusing the company of diminishing the distribution and marketing efforts for the LeMond brand—particularly throughout Europe—due to external influences. The lawsuit also alleged that Trek attempted to suppress LeMond’s public criticisms concerning doping and controversies involving individuals such as Lance Armstrong. In response, Trek filed a countersuit seeking to terminate their partnership with LeMond, arguing that his conduct damaged both brands and was inconsistent with Trek’s corporate principles. The conflict was ultimately resolved through an out-of-court agreement in 2010.
As of 2021, Greg LeMond remains the sole American to have won the Tour de France and has been honored with a congressional gold medal for his significant impact on the sport of cycling.
Brands
The Trek Bicycle Corporation includes a variety of brands, such as:
- Trek Bikes
- Electra Bicycle Company
- Diamant Bikes (Germany)
- Bontrager components — Trek’s proprietary parts and accessories line
- Trek Travel — Specialist in cycling tours and vacation packages
Brands that have been discontinued consist of Klein Bikes, LeMond Racing Cycles, Gary Fisher Bikes, and Villiger Bikes.