FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 19, 2026
I'm going to keep this simple because you deserve that.
The last few years have been the hardest this industry has ever seen, and Knolly has not been immune. But we have been fighting through it: restructuring costs, tightening operations, and doing the difficult work of right-sizing the business to match a new reality. We were making progress.
That progress was cut short. Our bank, RBC, has made the decision to call in our account. This comes at a time when RBC is posting record annual profits- $20.4 billion last fiscal year. RBC has been consolidating aggressively, and small businesses like ours are feeling the consequences. In an already concentrated Canadian banking landscape, the options for companies in our position are narrowing, not widening.
I'm not here to litigate our bank's priorities. But when a business is doing the hard work of recovery and its lender chooses to write down the account rather than work through it, while posting the most profitable year in Canadian banking history, the community that supports us deserves to know that.
I want to be direct about what this means and what it doesn't.
What it means: We are now in a position where we must evaluate all restructuring options to determine the best path forward. That process is underway. I expect to have more clarity within the coming weeks and will share it as soon as I have it.
What it doesn't mean: This is not an obituary. I started Knolly in a garage because I believed I could build a better bike. I still believe that. The question in front of me right now isn't whether Knolly should exist, it's what Knolly needs to look like to keep existing. We have been in active development and on the cusp of releasing several new models before these recent events occurred.
Our highest priorities right now are two things: taking care of our staff, and taking care of our active customers. Those are the people who have put their trust in us most directly, and they will be at the centre of every decision we make from here. At this time we are confident that we won't leave any customers hanging: we have already satisfied the vast majority of open orders and are actively resolving the few that remain.
To our dealers: you have been the backbone of this brand. I'm not going to make promises I can't keep today, but protecting those relationships is central to every conversation we're having.
To our riders: your bikes are not going anywhere. Knolly frames are built to outlast trends, that was always the point. I will keep you informed, honestly and without spin. That's the only way I know how to do this.
More to follow.
Noel Buckley
Founder & CEO, Knolly Bikes
Comments
keep up the fight! you guys build solid bikes for passionate riders and we appreciate that. Best of luck and I’m praying for you!
Thank you kindly for the honest update, Noel – very much appreciated, although I’m sure it’s not the news you wanted to share. I’m a very fortunate and proud owner of a Cache Steel and Fugitive 138, and am ever thankful for the thought and quality built into both of those incredible bikes, and the excellent service I’ve received from your team along the way. I hope that this setback is simply a bump in the road for Knolly, and that you will find a way through. Wishing the best of luck for you and the entire Knolly team!
Sorry to read the news. Best of luck with the road ahead. I have faith you’ll find a way out.
Stay strong all of you! Sorry to hear the bank are A holes. Thank you for supporting your customers. <3
What is the best possible way for us to support the brand at this point?
Wow, this is devastating, hang in there and don’t give up!! I stand by this brand and have so for many years, my frame of choice is one of the last carbon/alum hybrids (Warden), I love this bike and the only replacement I see (well not replacing, just adding to the family) is going with an e-bike as I can say at my age, I prefer the downhill without all the climbing, unless I’m at the resort where its all downhill all day!! (Bachelor). There have been many times where I was going to trade in for one of your newer frames, but I still love the way mine rides and its held up over the years flawlessly!! Stay solid, stay true, you got this!!!
We moved to BC in 2009 and I started mtn biking not long after thanks to my husband:) I recall seeing a Knolly up on the wall at a local shop on the Shore and thinking/ saying- that’s the bike I’m going to ride. There was no other way.
I’ve ridden the Warden, Fugitive and on Chilcotin number 2. No other bike I’m interested in riding, so let us all find a way forward here!! For the love of a reliable and beautiful ride ❤️ – powered by community
Thank you for the update. Stay strong! I love your bikes. In fact, all my bikes (six) are Knolly. There are reasons why you have such a strong customer base. Whatever the decision you take, one thing is for sure. Your bikes will continue to shred trails for many years to come. I hope to see your next generation bikes!
Stay strong Knolly!
I’ve been fortunate to ride Knolly Warden for a long time, appreciating superior design and durability. My latest addition, a Tyaughton has revived my love for the finer aspects of Mountain biking to complement my Warden. Canadian bikes are among the best in the world and certainly the best for BC riding. It mystifies me why any serious Mtn bike rider in BC would ride anything other than a bike designed in Canada and especially BC, although the US companies certainly have massive marketing and race support budgets to keep the hype strong for US bikes.
This is a hard time! The US tariffs are terrible and now RBC. There’s got to be an investor, who is a sick rider and die hard Knolly fan. Knolly are truly exquisite. We still have hope!