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KORE's
foray into the bicycle industry began in the late eighties as a
contract manufacturer of bicycle parts in California. KORE's first
signature part was the Thrashguard. In 1993, production of Thrashguards
and seat posts had reached the point where it became feasible to
"inKOREporate" and open an office in Southern California. KORE's
offerings grew to include the first suspension-oriented lightweight
skewers and a lightweight stem. By 1995 the offerings had grown to
include two product levels: Elite which were American made products,
and the Lite series, an assortment of components made in Taiwan. As
Taiwan manufacturing prowess became more sophisticated, KORE moved more
items there until today where 100% of KORE products are produced in
what has become simply the best place to make bicycle components in the
world.
1988
Two cycling
enthusiasts (Martin and Charlie Kurke) at Coast West Manufacturing in
El Segundo, California begin producing CNC components for the bicycle
industry.
1990
Bob Morales, founder of Dyno Products and Auburn Cycles, creates the Thrashguard under the KORE Products name.
1992
The Kurke
brothers create a new lightweight seat post for mountain biking and
file for a patent. In late 92 the Kurke brothers meet with Bob Morales
and Jimmy Simeone and together they create KORE Bicycle Components.
1993
KORE opens
an office in Northridge, California and later receive the patent for
the seat post. KORE's first line of components included the welded 6061
Lite Post and the first skewers designed for suspension forks.
1994
KORE add the Aheadlite stem to the product line and later moves to a small warehouse in Fountain Valley, California.
1995
KORE
receives a patent for the Aheadlite stem. The skewers split into two
models, Elite and Suspension. The seat post also split into two
models, Elite and Lite.
1996
KORE moves
some production to Taiwan and expands the line. New US products
include the Elite stem that includes Headshok sizes and the Elite
mountain bar produced by Easton. New Taiwan produced products include a
chromoly version of the Suspension skewers, G.A.S.S. clipless pedals
and the Chain Reactor. KORE drops the welded post design in favor of a
new bonded post. The new models are the Lite Post 2 and the US
made Elite Post 2. KORE does a special run of thermoplastic mountain
bars. KORE re-enters the freestyle BMX market with Street and Flatland
forks, Rusty and Flatland pegs. Towards the end of the year KORE stops
the production of 1 1⁄4" Aheadlite stems. Towards the end of the
year, KORE moves to a larger facility in Santa Ana, California.
1997
KORE
receives a patent for the Elite stem. KORE introduces the Lite 3 stem,
the Lite mountain bar, the welded Torsion rise bar, changes the tubing
on the Lite Post 2 from 6061 to 2014, and changes the name of the
Aheadlite stem to Lite. KORE tests and then releases in late 97 the US
made, fully machined B52 stem.
1998
KORE begins testing of the lighter weight Elite Torsion handlebar
And
introduces the Lite Road stem, the freestyle CandyBar, freecoaster
cogs, their first forged stem, the Lite 3D and the Elite Speed Rims.
Changes to the line include moving the top two bolts on the Lite 3 stem
to the front and dropping production of both the 1" Lite stem and 1
1⁄4" Elite stem. Towards the end of the year, KORE stops
production of the Torsion bar.
1999
KORE introduces a 40mm B52 and drops the 90mm length.
KORE ends production of the Lite stem and Elite Speed rim.
A well-known BMX supplier goes under and KORE takes over their line that includes numerous jumping oriented products.
KORE's new
BMX products include the B'atch post, Speed Hoop rims, the B1B BMX
stem, Pistole tensioners and Satellite hubs. KORE begins testing
Scandium seat post tubes.
2000
KORE
replaces the Lite 3D with the lighter weight Lite Forged stem and
replaces the Lite Road stem with the removable faceplate Road 2. The
Lite 2 mountain bar is introduced, as are the Freeride and Xcountry
rise bars, the Strictly-D welded rise bar, the B1B downhill stem and
the Platform pedals. Towards the end of the year, Hoochie hubs, Bigguns
hubs and the Sweet 69 stem replace the Satellite hubs and B1B
stem. Other new BMX products include 24-inch Speed Hoop rims,
stainless steel tensioners and disc brake mounts for BMX frames.
Towards the end of the year KORE introduces the Elite and Lite road
handlebars. KORE begins production of the Elite Scandium seat post
while stopping production of the GASS clipless pedals.
2001
KORE moves
to a new facility in Tustin, California. KORE hires Active Sports
Products (ASP - Killer Service!) to assist with sales and marketing in
Europe, Russia, Africa and the Middle East.
2002
KORE hires
ProNet as agent for North America, Latin America, South Pacific and all
of Asia. KORE discontinues production of Double D riser bar, B'atch
post, Race Road stem and apparel.
2003
KORE
switches focus to concentrate on mass produced OEM-oriented components.
Perhaps a controversial move, KORE never the less gains valuable
experience working with various high quality Asian vendors who will
prove valuable allies in the future.
2004
KORE
launches the Kockpit carbon handlebar for the road as well as several
new wheelsets, and a new graphic direction for Elite components.
2005
Realizing
that the old adage "innovate or die" is true, KORE hires Lance Bohlen,
a 20-year industry veteran with a history of bringing to production
many innovative products with such well-known brands as Specialized,
Rocky Mountain, Schwinn and Decathlon. Production of all KORE products
except platform pedals, chain tensioners BMX hubs / wheelsets and Chain
Reactors is halted.
2006
KORE
introduces a completely re-vamped product line including highly
acclaimed I-Beam compatible seatposts and saddles, all-in-one hubs that
revolutionize disc rotor mounting, the KIS integrated headset, spacer,
stem and top cap system, a series of Mavic UST certified tubeless wheel
sets, all new stems and handlebars, and the revolutionary Palmster road
bar grip. Late in the year, KORE signs Michal Prokop: World Champion 4X
racer and Beijing Olympic BMX medalist hopeful to a 3-year racing and
product development contract. |
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