Guardian Bikes

Brian Riley and Kyle Jansen introduce the Sharks to Guardian Bikes, the world’s safest kids bikes, in Shark tank episode 823. The business is an offshoot of Riley’s SureStop business which supplies bicycle brake components to other bike manufacturers. The secret to the brakes is when you squeeze a hand brake, equal force is applied to both the front and rear brakes. This reduces the probability of a wipeout and injuries.

Guardian Bikes launched at the Interbike trade show in Las Vegas in September, 2015. Riley believes kids’ bikes are an underserved market. He realized that when his SureStop customers weren’t putting the brakes on kids’ bikes. So far, they have bikes for sale in dozens of shops nationwide. They’re also available online.

There are three models. A twenty inch, single speed bike costs $319. Twenty inch 6 speed bikes are $399 and twenty-four inch, seven speed bikes cost $419. All models ship “99% assembled” and feature the SureStop braking system. The company likely wants a Shark’s help with ramping up production and getting into mass retail outlets.

Will a Shark give this business a ride?

Guardian Bikes Shark Tank Recap

Brian and Kyle enter seeking $500,000 for 10% of their business. They tell their story and show the Sharks how the braking system works. Chris Sacca loves it, but Mr. Wonderful questions why they went into bike manufacturing rather than just licensing the technology.

Barbara is the first Shark to go out, she thinks they need a good salesman. Kevin offers $500,000 for 20% if they discontinue the bike building business. When Brian and Kyle look to the other Sharks, Kevin goes out. Chris and Lori follow. Mark makes an offer of $500,000 with three contingencies: the technology is unique, they reach sales goals and they hire an in house PR person. They accept!

Guardian Bikes Shark Tank Update

The Shark Tank Blog constantly provides updates and follow-ups about entrepreneurs who have appeared on the Shark Tank TV show. The deal with Mark did close and Guardian met their goals. In 2020, supply chain issues with China caused the company problems. As a result, they decided to build a factory in Seymour, Indiana. The first phase of the factory rollout will begin in June, 2022.

In December, 2022, the company raised $3 million from Mark Cuban, Elevate Ventures, Digsbury Ventures, and others. The funds will be used to fit out their new factory which is where they will be assembling all its bikes by March, 2023. They’ll also be shifting the production of frames and all other components over the next few years which will create hundreds of jobs.

The company gets an update segment in season 14’s episode 1412. In the update segment, they talk about how all their bike parts come from China. The trade war with China caused their tarrifs to go from 11% to 36% and the Covid-19 pandemic related supply chain issues caused their container costs to go from $5000 to $25,000. The guys say the US factory was Mark’s idea and they showcase the factory floor with employess assembling bikes and robots making bike parts.

The guys reaveal they have $33.5 million in lifetime sales. Mark says moving manufacturing to the US was a great thing because it creates jobs and sets a foundation for more manufacturing in the US, which is what this country needs to do. On a Zoom call with the guys, Mark says they’re on the way to $100 million in sales. The guys say everyone in Seymour recognizes them because of the new factory and they want to be an example for kids to chase their dreams.

As April, 2024, annual revenue is around $25 million. They still have not entered the adult bike market.