IN BRIEF
The American brand Linus, founded in 2007 in Venice, California, has told its retailers that it will close by the end of December, after nearly 20 years in business. Its founders point to a category that has become crowded, shifting tariffs and volatile overseas production. The remaining bikes, baskets, panniers and accessories are being sold at up to 50% off on its website, until 31 December or while stocks last.
Linus, city bikes since 2007
Linus makes city bikes, e-bikes and children’s bikes. The brand was founded by Adam McDermott and Chad Kushner; it has retailers nationwide and distributors around the world. In the email sent to its retailers, it writes: “After nearly 20 years, we are sad to announce that Linus will be winding down operations.”
Tariffs took their toll
In the brand’s press release, Chad Kushner explains that the category Linus helped define is now crowded, and that shifting tariffs and volatile overseas production have made recent years hard for small independent brands.
When the United States raised its tariffs on Chinese imports in 2025, Linus paused its China-made e-bikes to avoid unpredictable costs. Its non-electric bikes, for their part, have come from the same Taiwanese partner’s factory for 17 years.
A clearance sale until 31 December
Until the closure, the bikes, baskets, panniers and accessories still in stock are offered on linusbike.com with discounts of up to 50%, until 31 December or while stocks last.
“We’d rather end on a high note than cut more corners,” says Adam McDermott, who thanks the brand’s riders, shops and partners. He adds: “This is the end of a chapter, not the end of the idea.”
