Brett Rheedeer announced this week that he’s leaving Commencal. He parted ways with the majority of his sponsors in 2024, leaving Fox, Smith, FiveTen and Clif Bar. In early May 2024, he announced that he was no longer a shareholder, rider or consultant for the Title MTB brand that he founded.
While his website leaves something to be desired, likely last updated in 2022, there’s a chance he’s still riding for Shimano, Kenda and Can-Am. But who can say when it comes to a rider like Rheeder? Going completely against the grain as far as a MB career trajectory, he’s a fascinating guy to watch.
He also recently teased that he’ll be starting a bike company in 2025. “As for what’s next? I am taking what I’ve learned through my years in the industry to create a new mountain bike company. I have a team of brilliant and experienced minds behind me. We’re putting our heads together to build somethin that will help advance the sport and continue to uplift its riders.”
A bold yet exciting statement. And along with Cam Zink starting his own company, is the current crisis in the bike industry the perfect segway for rider-owned brands to bloom? Only time will tell.
“2024 held a change of pace and some redirection with my career. With my departure from competition came some separation from sponsors and brands.
In 2024, I parted ways with Fox Racing, Smith Optics, Adidas/FiveTen, and Clif Bar without announcement. As 2025 begins, I’m also saying goodbye to Commencal Bikes and Kenda Tires. I wanted to extend my appreciation to all of these companies for their support. I’m thankful for what we’ve accomplished together, some over the past decade.
Slowing down has given me space to reevaluate and rebuild the things that matter to me. In my “downtime,” I’ve been building two new companies; @bookyrslf that launched in September, and a new mountain bike company that will launch this year.
I’m really excited for this new chapter. Not only to spend more time on my bike, pushing limits, just for me, but also to fulfill my vision and goals with my new businesses, and see them come to life.
Thank you for the continued support! Happy new year everyone.”
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