These bikes offer excellent traction, stability, and versatility, and are well-suited for riders who want to challenge themselves and push their limits. Kent Fat bikes are designed for riders who want to explore rough terrain, such as snow, sand, or mud. These bikes feature oversized tires that provide excellent traction and stability, allowing riders to tackle difficult terrain with ease. They also typically have wide handlebars and low gearing, which helps to provide a comfortable and efficient riding position.
“The prices there were just so low it made no economic sense to continue, so in 1991 we stopped production, sold off the equipment, shut the doors,” Kamler recalls. “We were never, ever going to manufacture again in the U.S. That was 23 years ago, our very final decision.”And then along came… Walmart. What Kamler is doing in bicycle manufacturing exactly parallels what transplant automotive producers engineered in the 70s and 80s. Kent Bicycles made headlines with its plans to produce 500,000 bikes annually in its new South Carolina factory in Manning.
By the time the Kamlers saw the Taiwan currency upshift and resulting cost increases signaling another change, they were ready. “We rented 30,000 square feet in a building in West Orange, N.J., formerly owned by Thomas Edison, next to the museum. The company built both road and mountain bike frames in steel and titanium and were the early builders of Greg LeMond road and mountain titanium frames, before LeMond production went to Litespeed and later Trek Bicycle Corporation. The company employed master-welders Ivo Vinklarek and Don Herr, however welding on later frames was outsourced with some quality problems which contributed to the demise of the brand. Pat Clark was part owner of the famous Denver Spoke bicycle shop, and also owned a group of bicycle shops known as Premier Cycles across the greater Denver area.
“But Dad had always wanted to manufacture bikes,” Kamler recalls. “I protested, ‘I don’t know anything about manufacturing bicycles!‘ so he arranged for me to visit three bicycle assembly factories in Japan.” Kamler, a student of the Chinese economy and factory life, has insights into the quick-and-easy way to open a new factory. “In the beginning, when a new factory opened in China, [its] management would go to another existing bicycle kent bicycles plant, overpay and steal 100 workers from the other factory,” he says. “That made for ease of entry.” he said. “But at this start-up, we don’t have that luxury—even aside from the morality of it—because there has been no mass production of bikes in the U.S. since Huffy shuttered its Ohio and California factories.” “We do business with most of the majors, but Walmart sells half the bikes sold in this country, Kamler explains.
The warranty period for kent bikes is typically one year for parts and six months for labor. If you are a casual or recreational rider who is looking for a basic bike that is affordable, durable, and easy to use, a Kent bike may be a good choice for you. However, if you require more advanced or specialized features, or if you are a serious or competitive rider, you may want to consider other bike brands that are more tailored to your needs. That being said, Kent bikes may not be the best choice for more experienced or serious riders who require more advanced features or specialized components.