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It’s (semi) Official: Maverick ceases operations

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For those of us who’ve owned, ridden, or followed the arc Paul Turner’s Maverick bikes over the years, sad news.  It’s been apparent for some time that Maverick hasn’t been in great shape- the promised carbon DUC36 has been in the wings for what seems like years, common sense upgrades like thru-axle rear ends, tapered head tubes, direct-mount or E-type front derailleurs, and a rumored suspension redesign were postponed, and certain frame sizes and spares had also become hard to come by.  No doubt triggered by a post that we saw this morning, Ethan Franklin, the technical hands and online face of the brand today posted a note on MTBR about Maverick’s status:

Its time for me to post a short message regarding Maverick. As of Jan 1st Maverick has ceased operations. Paul Turner has reclaimed the brand and licenses. What he will do with it remains up in the air, some rumors have floated around but none for me to add to! I don’t think the technology will disappear, it’s too good and other manufactures are looking for ways to beat their competition.

As for Me, I have been in the process of restarting the small parts and full service/repair end. This will be my own gig and not associated with Maverick of the past. The previous owners (Mike & Chris) have generously made this happen for me and Maverick owners can take solace that parts and service will be around. I’ve been with Maverick for about 7 years and see that the products are worth keeping going and even make better with detailed expertise…

Read the rest of the post after the jump.

…The Location of this small en devour is still up in the air, but most likely will be in the same location just next door, at least for a while. Once this has been finalized I will re-post with the new address, e-mail and phone number. Not fully set on a name, but Maverick Suspension Center ( MSC ) is looking good right now.

Supplying other suspension service places with parts may be difficult for the time being as there are limited supply of certain pieces. I would try to do my best to help a couple of them as they have been helpful to me in the past. Stay tuned on that…

While this has been a sad time for us, closing of the doors, it also opens up new doors and adventures. Bicycles have been a passion of mine for a long time, so no great need to get a real job (yet!). Stay tuned, tell your friends about the news and not to fret!

About riding another brands, got to try everything! What it has shown me is how good Maverick bikes are and can still, with little change, hold their own in today’s market. Had we had our wish things would have been updated and taken advantage of today’s technologies but wasn’t in the cards, we tried and tried really we did, but…!

Thanks, Ethan

As a long time Maverick owner who’s repeatedly called on Ethan for help, I’d like to thank him, Paul, and everyone else who made the bikes possible- no other bike has made my riding look as good.  The brand was among the first to offer a modern dropper post (now made under license by Crank Brothers) and the first sub-4lb 150mm travel trail fork.  As Ethan notes, the Monolink suspension design remains a competitive performer, despite going largely unchanged for ten years.  Here’s hoping that someone will pick up the brand and designs and carry its vision forward.

I would personally like to wish Ethan the best of luck with Maverick Suspension Center and wherever that takes him.  Stay tuned for info when we have it.

marc

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Kovas
12 years ago

Any word why they closed up shop? I’m searching on-line and can’t find a reason exactly why they closed… Low sales? Poor management? Of the few Maverick riders I’ve known, they all love the bikes… Almost cult-like praise for the brand.

Bummer to see such a niche / innovative bike company close it’s doors.

dave
dave
12 years ago

definitely a cult brand…what the owners won’t tell you about are the endless problems with front shifting and poor bump absorption when standing. its a pedal-y design that predates good platform shocks and is much less relevant today. also hard to get a good fit with the weird seatpost angle.

the horrible klein palomino bikes killed any hope of the big brands adopting the design.

Brendan
Brendan
12 years ago

Too bad. Weird that hardly any of the bikes pictured have their fork. I’d have thought that was a big part of the Maverick design.

ryan_c
ryan_c
12 years ago

As a big fan of Maverick and all small companies working hard to put out great stuff with great service; this blows. I ride the ML8 and after owning eight mountian bikes in the last five years and three when I bought the ML8, I found my bike. Truly the best all mountain bike I have been on and climbs so well it is the only bike I now own. The fit and shifting are non-issues, the suspension and handling are as good as anything on the market…still. IMO, good design beats relying on Fox to build in a platform.

BBB
BBB
12 years ago

Dave, I assume that you don’t own a Maverick bike and didn’t spent more than 5 minutes riding one. It’s a cult brand for a reason.

RIP

dave
dave
12 years ago

I had an ml7 and didn’t like it. Like I said, poor fit (despite properly sizing the TT), poor suspension action in the attack position, bad front shifting.

Half the threads in the maverick forum on mtbr are related to troubleshooting bad front shifting.

fuzzy
fuzzy
12 years ago

I’ve only spent a short a short time on a Maverick, and I’ve lusted after one ever since. Had a remarkable ride. The only thing keeping me from getting one was the lack of a 29″ platform.

NotJensVoigt
NotJensVoigt
12 years ago

Having recently build up a Palomino for a friend (he had a brand new frame sitting in his basement and forgot about it), I can attest to this bike’s handling. It corners with eery confidence, descends like a much bigger hitting bike, and is very surefooted on technical climbs. Its relative heft is its only drawback, but it’s not really noticeable except on long smooth fireroad climbs. Objectively, my Hamerhead 100X is faster, but harsher and twitchier.

We did have problems with shifting on a triple crank, so he’s running a double with a bashguard up front and front shifting is now a non-issue.

Boing
Boing
12 years ago

RIP- I will always love Mavericks (right now on my Durance, after having had a ML7)
front shifting issues arrived with compact drive (42t) but were no more an issue with the introduction of the D-Mount, agree on the poor job Trek did with the Klein Palmomino, they used bushings instead of ball bearings as it worked on their Gary Fishers…well now all 3 brands are gone ;-(

Topmounter
Topmounter
12 years ago

That’s a shame. One of my LBS’s carries Maverick, but they always seem to be hidden behind the Generalized bikes. My financial priorities have been elsewhere, but if I ran into the right deal, I wouldn’t mind adding a Maverick to my quiver.

Sean
12 years ago

Bummer.
Sad when a great inventive company goes under. I still love my ML7 one of the originals with easton tubing.
Looking to get a 29er but can’t really (don’t really) want to give this up. Fantastic bike. And like most mtn bikes a little TLC now and then goes a long way. Yes ,things have improved in the bike market place and the ML7/8 etc should have been updated to suit, but it is marginal and for all the improvement the bike still rides better than any other 10 year old bike and some newer ones.

So long, RIP – Maverick is dead: Long live Maverick

Pat
Pat
12 years ago

Have an ML 7.5. Love that bike. No problems with front shifting, but I run the recommended FD with Gore cables and X0 twisties.

Good people and service the few times I needed it. Sorry to see them go.

GB
GB
11 years ago

All you beige easy rider talkers out there, get a clue and actually ride the palomino. I’ve owned about every top notch mtb out there (ellsworth, santa cruz, cannondale, GT, etc) and the palomino is the best bike I’ve ever owned. Not only do I excel up mountains faster than others, I have enough suspension to jump off huge rocks, etc.and fly down a mtn at 60 mph with no brakes. Absolutely no shifting problems, but nice job trying to stir up issues that don’t exist all you main streamers. The geometry and ride on this bike is superior to any new bike, so all you ellsworth and other talkers, I’ll just laugh when I fly by you. This bike will be a classic when all you hacks realize it’s the gull wing of bikes.

PC
PC
11 years ago

If anyone knows where or how to get a replacement rear shock, I would like a back-up. I have two bikes that use Maverick shock–the 26″ Palomino and a custom built 29″ Seven. I’ve owned many bikes and ridden many more–the maverick rear suspension is second to none. While I am extremely hard on my bikes, I have not had any failures with Maverick, but would like to have a back up shock just in case.

Seth
Seth
11 years ago

I really hope Paul Turner comes back with a vengeance with this brand and re-starts production in the near future. I started off with an ’04 Palomino, moved to an ’05 Palomino with the upgraded bottom bracket, and am now riding an ML8. The suspension design on these bikes (but especially the ML8) is second to none. As others have commented on, shifting is never a problem with the correct setup (which is easy to dial in). It was a cult for a reason: Mavericks were / are way ahead of their time. The only thing that has brought me more joy in life is my dog. Thanks for everything Maverick, and I hope to see you soon.

mike
mike
10 years ago

I have a spare rear shock for the palomino I can sell to you. Also, they can be rebuilt by garage works suspension in Oceanside California. strevamf@ yahoo.com

Gray
Gray
10 years ago

Love my Palomino!!! I own several high end bikes, some are ranted about, some are cool names (Santa Cruz), some really are close to great (Specialized), some very light (new Cannondale). At this point, I have put a few upgrades on the Palomino and 12 years later it is still my favorite bike. Up or down a mountain, it is hard to beat. Put Fox shocks on it, upgraded front shifter (and a slight bend with pliers), new seat … I will gladly put this bike against any new bike. Maverick was way ahead of their time, sometimes it takes time for folks to realize this. In the meantime, call me a cult follower, no problem. Can I get a tshirt?

Scott
Scott
9 years ago

I agree with Gray….I have been riding for 25 plus years, have been through a variety if bikes, my Palomino remains my favourite, handling, climbs like a goat and looks fantastic….my 2nd fav is my Gary Fisher Roscoe….hmmm…starting to see a pattern….

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