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How Bridge Bike Works builds the only made-in-Canada carbon bike frame

(6 days ago)
Pippa Norman
Business

AI Summary

TL;DR: Key points with love ❤️

Bridge Bike Works, a Toronto-based company founded in 2020 by Frank Gairdner and Mike Yakubowicz, is the only manufacturer of carbon bicycle framesets entirely made in Canada. Their 8,400-square-foot factory employs 14 people and controls every step of the production process, including in-house mould fabrication using CNC machines and a unique patent-pending carbon threaded bottom bracket. The company focused on sustainable growth during the pandemic bike boom and is now on a trajectory for expansion, selling high-end bikes and framesets through direct orders and 31 dealers globally.

  1. 1 2020: Bridge Bike Works founded.
  2. 2 COVID-19 pandemic: Company weathered the rise and fall of the bike market by focusing on slow growth.
  3. 3 Current: Bridge Bike Works is on a trajectory for growth, plans to scale and move into a bigger space.
  • Bridge Bike Works is the only company producing entirely made-in-Canada carbon bike frames.
  • Ability to innovate rapidly (e.g., carbon threaded bottom bracket prototype in two days).
  • Control over quality and manufacturing agility.
  • Growth trajectory for the company.
  • Relatively unscathed by Canada-U.S. trade war despite exporting to U.S. dealers.
What: Bridge Bike Works manufactures the only carbon bicycle framesets made entirely in Canada.
When: Founded in 2020, weathered COVID-19 pandemic bike market, currently on trajectory for growth. Article published 2025-06-10.
Where: Toronto, Canada (factory location); bikes sold by dealers in Canada, U.S., Asia, and Europe.
Why: To control the entire production process, ensure quality, agility in manufacturing, and innovate (e.g., patent-pending bottom bracket). Co-founders focused on building a lasting business beyond market hype.
How: By operating an 8,400-square-foot factory with 14 employees, utilizing CNC machines for in-house mould fabrication, storing carbon in freezers, using a cold room for lamination, a hot press for compaction, and finishing workshops for sanding, wrapping, assembling, and painting. They also developed unique technologies like the carbon threaded bottom bracket.

Bridge Bike Works, a Toronto-based company founded in 2020 by Frank Gairdner and Mike Yakubowicz, is the only manufacturer of carbon bicycle framesets entirely made in Canada. Their 8,400-square-foot factory employs 14 people and controls every step of the production process, including in-house mould fabrication using CNC machines and a unique patent-pending carbon threaded bottom bracket. The company focused on sustainable growth during the pandemic bike boom and is now on a trajectory for expansion, selling high-end bikes and framesets through direct orders and 31 dealers globally.