Niner Bikes Co-Founder Launches Domahidy Designs

Domahidy Designs  is a new bicycle brand being launched by Niner Bikes co-founder Steve Domahidy. Through a Kickstarter campaign, Domahidy plans to fund an initial order of frames, and then settle in to produce additional designs.

With the promise of “fusing old school design and new school tech into a production frame that feels like custom,” Domahidy Designs will initially produce two 29er hardtail frames.

“I wanted to launch a line of production bikes with the same level of quality and attention to detail as those found at NAHBS, just without the wait and price tag,” says Domahidy.

Domahidy left Niner Bikes about two years ago, but while he was there he helped Reynolds come up with their 853 DZB tubing. So it makes sense that one of the new Domahidy bikes is made from the same material.

Domahidy explains, “Steel is such a lively material and frames built around great steel are nirvana to ride.”

Domahidy also says that he always wanted to make a titanium frame while he was with Niner, but such a project never made it out of the prototype phase. Now that he’s on his own, Domahidy is using triple-butted 3/2.5 titanium tubing on the other model, and he’s excited for the bikes to take advantage of the metal’s rich ride qualities.

“Titanium has amazing damping properties, but more than that, it has an elasticity that makes riding Ti bikes pure joy,” elaborates Domahidy.

The 853 and Ti frames will share the same geometry and include other features such as a tapered head tube, 142/12 sliding dropouts, removable cable guides, and a split seatstay (at the dropout) for belt drive compatibility.

The Domahidy Designs Kickstarter campaign runs until March 26^th, and the goal is to raise $80,000USD. As is standard with a Kickstarter campaign, there are several levels and incentives for people wishing to help fund the venture. Of particular note is the $10,000 pledge level, of which there are only three spots available.

“My wife is the Director of Travel at Project C.U.R.E., one of the largest and most influential non-profits in the world. They donate over 53 million dollars worth of medical supplies to underserved communities around the world. I realized that my Kickstarter campaign was the perfect way to blend the launch of my bikes with the philanthropic work my wife does,” explains Domahidy.

People pledging at the $10,000 level receive a Domahidy Designs Reynolds 853 bike built up with XX1. These three people will receive the bike when they accompany Steve and his wife on a Project C.U.R.E. excursion to either Kenya or Ecuador. While there, they will spend a week volunteering in a clinic with the Project C.U.R.E. team. At the end of the week, Steve will take these people on “the ultimate cycling adventure” aboard their new bikes.