Photos by Tyler Whitworth
Lance Canfield riding S Mountain in Salida near its new headquarters in Poncha Springs. After four years of business in Fruita, Canfield Bikes is moving to Poncha Springs. According to a news release, Canfield hadn’t planned on moving, but the company received an unexpected offer on the company’s Fruita property.
Canfield Bikes, a high-end boutique mountain-bike and component manufacturer, is relocating from Fruita to Poncha Spring, outside of Salida.
Canfield relocated from Bellingham, Washington, to Fruita in early 2020. At the time Fruita beat out other potential locations in Utah and Idaho, according to previous Sentinel reporting. The company began by hand building bike frames in a garage in Layton, Utah, in 1999.
Canfield chose Fruita, a location known for its mountain bike trails and outdoor culture, after Lance Canfield, the company’s owner, engineer and designer, took sole ownership of the company, according to a press release.
“We love Fruita,” Canfield said. “It was an amazing launchpad when we re-started the brand in 2020 and was instrumental in our growth. There is an incredible variety of trails, from desert flow to demanding technical riding. We will definitely be back to ride.”
The Grand Junction Economic Partnership assisted in the company’s recruitment to Fruita, according to reporting at the time. It agreed to match Strategic Fund incentives for Canfield Bikes from the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade. The incentive meant that Canfield was able to receive $3,000 from OEDIT and $3,000 from GJEP for each new job it created.
“Definitely somber news, but we wish Canfield Bikes the best and enjoyed the ride,” said Mike Bennett, Fruita city manager in a news release. “We know we will cross tracks on the trails in the future and continue seeing Canfield bikes on Fruita singletrack.”
Canfield’s time in Fruita included the COVID-19 pandemic, which came with a boom for outdoor businesses, but also supply chain challenges, according to the release.
“We made it through the last few years thanks in part to support from that community, including local riders, bike shops, the City of Fruita, the Grand Junction Economic Partnership and Mesa County,” Canfield said. “We also made smart decisions during that time, and I’m grateful we’re in a position to move the company forward.”
Lance Canfield in front of a sign welcoming visitors to Poncha Springs, which is the new home of his boutique mountain-bike and component manufacturing company Canfield Bikes. Canfield Bikes moved to Fruita in 2020.
GJEP called out the relocation of Canfield to Mesa County as a highlight in its 2020 annual report.
“It has been a rewarding experience working with Canfield over the years,” said Steve Jozefczyk, deputy director of GJEP. “Their absence in Fruita will be felt.”
According to the release, Canfield hadn’t planned on moving, but the company received an unexpected offer on the company’s Fruita property. On a trip to Salida, the company found a piece of commercial property with “lots of potential.” It included more space than the Fruita property, which Canfield was outgrowing.
The new space includes a larger warehouse and connected office space, according to the release. Future plans include customer-facing retail space and a demo/rental center.
“For the first time in our history, a full demo fleet will be available at our headquarters,” Canfield said. “Riding is believing, and this will be a great opportunity for people to try before they buy or just rent a bike while they’re in town and experience the magic of Canfield Bikes for themselves. This area offers access to an unbelievable amount of riding making it a great place for customers to demo and for us to test new designs.”
Canfield Bikes will be a Gold Level sponsor of the popular Salida Enduro race series, which is in its second year. It touts the area around Salida as a top mountain biking destination.
“We’re surrounded by breathtaking mountains, fantastic trails and an amazing community of mountain bikers and outdoor enthusiasts,” Canfield said. “I’m really excited for our company’s next chapter here and what the future holds.”
