Following the buyback of YT Industries, founder Markus Flossmann is focussing on a new start with a lean structure. In this interview, he talks about team rider conflicts, Hollywood films, softgoods - and the future of downhill bikes.
After the insolvency, many things can no longer be taken for granted. Financing is difficult, some issues with suppliers need to be resolved properly and we are reorganising a lot of things operationally - from the shop to the payment processes. And most importantly, we have to regain trust.
Because customers had paid but didn't get a bike?
Yes, that happened - and it was difficult for me personally to accept. That's why I bought bikes privately from the insolvency estate, so that in the end everyone either gets their bike or their money back.
"Downhill is the Formula 1 of mountain biking"
What are your plans for the future?
I want to make YT small, stable and compact. Growth yes - but controlled. No more bloated water head. Hollywood films? Not today. Rather something new.
Will the fashion collection remain important?
Yes, especially as there are no more bad bikes today. By now, everyone has realised how to achieve proper geometry and sensible kinematics, and the components are the same everywhere anyway. What makes the difference in a bike? Of course, you have to like the look of it and, crucially, do I think the brand is cool? Is it my lifestyle? Do I identify with it? I think that's becoming increasingly important. We are pretty well positioned in this respect and want to continue working on it. Softgoods also fit in perfectly.
Which bikes do you focus on?
In addition to the e-platforms, the focus is on our core products TUES and CAPRA. Our design engineers are currently working on the new TUES. No stone is left unturned.
"The target group is sharp"
A bike that then has to prove itself in the World Cup and at the Red Bull Rampage.
Today, big bikes for the World Cup have to be fully trimmed for racing. The days are gone when a bike could do both, win the Rampage and a Downhill World Cup. Because the World Cup tracks are getting faster and faster. In other words: what is good for a downhill race is of little use for the Rampage. This means you run the risk of having to make compromises in every area of use.
No matter what you choose, the bike is an image product. Because you won't earn money with a bike like this. Or will you?
The target group is very specific. If you were to develop a bike like this just for this target group, it would be difficult to recoup the development costs. It only pays off if you can also use parts of it in other bikes. Plus an image transfer to all other products.
So why are you developing a specialist bike like a World Cup downhiller?
Because I love it. The Downhill World Cup is the Formula 1 of mountain biking and so sexy. Mountain biking in general. When I recently rode the Decoy X for the first time, I got so excited again. Mountain biking is so cool. If I had lost my passion for mountain biking, I wouldn't have bought YT back.
Dimitri Lehner
Editor
