CSS Composites – the leading global manufacturer of carbon fiber reinforced thermoplastic wheels – has announced it is ceasing operations.
In a letter provided to its OEM (original equipment manufacturer) clients, seen by Escape Collective, the company cites “the enduring economic challenges facing the bike industry” as the reason for its closure. CSS Composites, the letter reads, “is in the process of liquidating its assets to satisfy its creditors.”
The Utah-based company is best known as the manufacturing partner behind a number of high-end wheelsets, producing thermoplastic rims – also referred to by the moniker ‘FusionFiber’ – for wheelsets sold by Chris King, Evil, Revel and Bontrager. The company also produces wheelsets under its own brand, Forge+Bond.
The thermoplastic manufacturing process championed by CSS Composites was touted as a more sustainable, lower-waste alternative to the thermoset carbon process used extensively elsewhere in the cycling industry. CSS Composites’ US manufacturing story was also an important selling point in enticing OEM customers – and their end-consumers – into investing in the company’s products.
The letter from the company (dated September 30, 2025) states that “effective today, CSS Composites will cease to provide all OEM services relating to its composite bicycle rims manufacturing business, including: Manufacturing, Customer Service, Replacement and Repair Services, and Administrative Operations. If you previously submitted requests for a service, repair or replacement that has not been fulfilled, unfortunately, that service will not be able to be provided.”
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