About Us
Velofred was born in the Hudson Valley, New York, out of curiosity, passion, and - yes - a bit of teasing.
At the time, I was living in New York City. On weekends, I’d visit a good friend in the Hudson Valley, a serious cyclist who rode with grace and power up the Appalachian climbs like a Tour de France contender. I was rediscovering my own love for cycling—after years away from the saddle—and, unlike my friend, I became fascinated not just with bikes but with everything around them: racks, bags, bells, lights, grips, mirrors... You name it.
One day, after a long ride and a deep dive into some obscure cycling catalogs, my friend looked at me and laughed: “You’re such a Fred.”
If you’re unfamiliar, "Fred" is a term that serious roadies sometimes use to mock riders who don't prioritize style points — cyclists who blend gear and fashion in unconventional ways, driven more by passion than performance. Instead of resisting it, I embraced it. Velo means bicycle. Fred was the name my friend gave me. That’s how Velofred was born.
The Passion That Pedaled Me Forward
Returning to cycling reignited something deep inside me. I started commuting in the city, then exploring long-distance rides like randonneuring, and later shared the joy of bikes with my kids. Each type of ride required different tools—and soon, I was testing all kinds of accessories, both for performance and practicality. In doing so, I discovered a few truths about the U.S. cycling accessory market.
The Good:
- The 2008 recession sparked a surge in biking interest across America.
- Cities became more bike-friendly, with infrastructure that promoted everyday riding.
- Athletes like Lance Armstrong helped bring cycling back into the public eye.
The Bad:
- The market stayed heavily focused on mountain biking, leaving other riders underserved.
- Local bike shops seldom carried much beyond bikes and basic tools.
- The top bicycle accessories—innovative, functional, beautiful—were produced in Europe, yet they were nearly impossible to find in the U.S.
As I searched for quality gear, I often faced a choice between outdated options or modifying equipment that wasn’t built for how I rode. I began reaching out to European brands, wondering why their products hadn’t made it across the Atlantic. The answer was simple: many of these products needed a more personalized, boutique-style approach to reach American cyclists. And few in the industry were offering that.
A Fred Finds His Calling
By 2009, I launched Velofred LLC with the generous support of Rixen & Kaul—the innovative German manufacturer behind Klickfix. They were the first to believe in my vision, even before I had a warehouse or retail space. But they saw that my enthusiasm was real.
Today, Velofred.com is more than just a store. It’s a space for cyclists who love well-made gear, no matter how niche or unusual. For riders who want functionality over fashion, or maybe a bit of both, this is the place for you. For commuters, tourers, vintage bike fans, and yes—for Freds of all kinds.
We believe cycling should be fun, practical, and full of personality. So whether you're riding carbon or steel, wearing Lycra or denim, we welcome you.
Velofred is here for riders who ride their own way.
