# Bianchi seeks creditor protection as Ghost Bikes shuts down; Kathmandu owner opens its books to Bluestar

Canonical URL: https://jeffbrines.com/newswire/2026-11-03-daily/
Author: Outdoor Pulse
Published: 2026-11-03T00:00:00.000Z
Source: Outdoor Pulse Newswire

**Top line:** Bianchi, the 141-year-old Italian bike maker, has asked for court-confirmed protection from its creditors. Its Italian entity, FIVE Bianchi SpA, filed for Italy's _composizione negoziata della crisi_, published in the company register on Sept. 30 and reported Nov. 2. That gives it until the end of January, and at most late May 2027, to agree new terms with banks and suppliers. Bianchi owed about €100M at the end of 2024, including €64.3M to banks, and lost about €28M from 2023 to 2025. Interim CEO Tony Grimaldi, the owner's son, who took over in June, said the company was "too ambitious in too many segments" in an oversupplied market. ([Escape Collective](https://escapecollective.com/bianchi-files-for-restructuring/), [Cyclingnews](https://www.cyclingnews.com/cycling-tech-components/too-ambitious-in-too-many-segments-bianchi-to-renegotiate-debt-repayments-amid-financial-woes/), [Bike Europe](https://www.bike-eu.com/53521/bianchi-seeks-creditor-protection-to-restructure-debt-amid-growing-losses))

## Bike

-   **Ghost Bikes will close.** No investor offer beat simply selling off the inventory, so Ghost's remaining stock goes to a single dealer and its 53 employees in Waldsassen, Germany, lose their jobs. ([Pinkbike](https://www.pinkbike.com/news/ghost-bikes-to-close-after-finding-no-viable-solution-to-continue.html), [Bike Europe](https://www.bike-eu.com/news))
-   **Engelbert Wiener Bike Parts is now the only German Accell company without a buyer or a closure decision.** It keeps trading under self-administration after its insolvency proceedings opened Nov. 1, and it is looking for an investor. Lapierre's French reorganization is still open, with no investor named. ([Bike Europe](https://www.bike-eu.com/news), [Pinkbike](https://www.pinkbike.com/news/ghost-bikes-to-close-after-finding-no-viable-solution-to-continue.html))
-   **RockShox told owners of some MY27 Zeb forks to stop riding.** The notice covers the Zeb Ultimate, Ultimate Flight Attendant, Select+ and Select with serials from 07T6 to 42T6, meaning forks built in weeks 7 to 42 of 2026. An out-of-spec upper tube can let the air-spring snap ring dislodge and dump air pressure. Sales and shipments are stopped, no fix has been announced yet, and RockShox says any remedy will be free. ([Pinkbike](https://www.pinkbike.com/news/rockshox-issues-stop-ride-notice-for-certain-my27-zeb-forks-forks.html), [eMTB Magazine](https://emtbmag.com/posts/rockshox-zeb-my27-recall-air-spring))
-   **Barcelona approved e-bike purchase subsidies for 2027**: up to €400 for urban pedal-assist e-bikes and €800 for cargo bikes, for both individuals and businesses. ([Bike Europe](https://www.bike-eu.com/news))
-   **Danish bike-share operator Donkey Republic grew Q3 revenue 10.9% to DKK 61.3M** on new German city contracts and confirmed its full-year guidance. ([Bike Europe](https://www.bike-eu.com/news))
-   **Fuji owner Pacific Glory Worldwide, part of Taiwan's Ideal Bike, is adding staff** and says it remains committed to independent dealers, a year after entering the U.S. market. ([SGB Media](https://sgbonline.com/), [SGI News](https://www.sginews.com/DailyNewsFeed.aspx))
-   **The NBDA released its 2026 Specialty Bicycle Retailer Report** on North American shop finances, inventory, staffing and 2027 outlook. It costs $49 for members and $199 for non-members. ([Bicycle Retailer](https://www.bicycleretailer.com/industry-news/2026/11/02/nbdas-retailer-report-offers-insights-north-american-market))
-   **Hub-motor e-road bikes keep spreading:** Spanish road brand Aurum launched its first e-bike, the 11.5 kg Nova on Mahle's X20, priced €5,999 to €8,799. ([Bike Europe](https://www.bike-eu.com/news))

## Ski & Snow

-   **Wolf Creek is still closed, with no reopening date**, while the Archuleta County evacuation order stays in place. The ski area reported 10.5 inches of new snow in 24 hours and a 26-inch midway base on Nov. 2. ([Wolf Creek](https://wolfcreekski.com/wcs-snow-report/), [CBS Colorado](https://www.cbsnews.com/colorado/news/wolf-creek-ski-area-closes-mandatory-evacuation-southwest-colorado/))
-   **Oasis told Vail shareholders it is not pushing a breakup.** In a Nov. 2 letter, the activist said its plan "does not include moving to an asset-light model." Vail replied that the two remaining Oasis nominees, Bob Chapek and Ashton Hudson, lack the right experience for the board. ([Reuters via Investing.com](https://www.investing.com/news/stock-market-news/activist-investor-oasis-cuts-its-slate-of-director-nominees-at-vail-in-half-4992288))
-   **Today is the last day for 50%-off Ikon Friends & Family tickets**, which drop to 25% off after Nov. 3; Epic Pass prices rise after Nov. 15. ([SkierStash](https://skierstash.com/ikon-pass-price-increase-2026/))

## Outdoor

-   **KMD Brands, owner of Kathmandu, Rip Curl and Oboz, gave U.S. brand group Bluestar Alliance exclusivity** to do due diligence on a possible bid for the whole company. No price or binding offer has been disclosed, and exclusivity runs no later than Dec. 23. ([KMD Brands via NZX](https://announcements.nzx.com/announcement/482806), [RNZ](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/business/2300752/kathmandu-owner-kmd-brands-enters-exclusive-talks-over-possible-takeover))
-   **A strike at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach is postponed, not settled.** About 250 ILWU Local 26 watchmen extended their contract only through 5 p.m. Pacific on Nov. 4, which puts holiday and spring import flows at risk if talks fail. ([FreightWaves](https://www.freightwaves.com/news/strike-at-busiest-us-port-just-days-away-as-talks-continue), [Journal of Commerce](https://www.joc.com/article/strike-deadline-at-la-lb-ports-delayed-until-nov-4-pma-6315329))
-   **Ecco is closing its shoe factories in Portugal and Vietnam**, cutting about 2,400 jobs, plus about 400 global and regional roles, because of excess capacity and falling demand. ([SGB Media](https://sgbonline.com/exec-ecco-to-close-factories-in-portugal-and-vietnam-layoff-2400-jobs/), [VnExpress](https://e.vnexpress.net/news/news/danish-footwear-company-shuts-vietnam-factory-1-600-workers-lose-jobs-5140117.html))
-   **YETI launched its first technical apparel capsule**, with down, waterproof, fleece and merino pieces priced $180 to $400, ahead of its Nov. 12 earnings. ([nss magazine](https://www.nssmag.com/en/fashion/47504/in-what-sense-has-yeti-started-making-jackets))
-   **ISPO opened in Amsterdam** with today's Leaders Summit, and the expo runs Nov. 4–5. Its owner also unveiled an "ISPO Sports Week" format, with a Dubai edition in September 2027 and a U.S. edition planned for 2028. ([ISPO](https://www.ispo.com/news-feed/ispo-leaders-summit-2026), [FashionUnited](https://fashionunited.uk/news/fairs/ispo-unveils-ispo-sports-week-expanding-to-dubai-china-and-the-us/2026110391157))

## Upcoming

ISPO expo Nov. 4–5; the LA-Long Beach watchmen deadline is 5 p.m. Pacific Nov. 4; Fox Factory and Clarus report Nov. 5 after the close, the same day as Trek's 32-inch XC reveal; Breckenridge, Copper, Brian Head, Winter Park, Sunshine Village and Norquay target Nov. 6; bike helmet and trailer tariff exclusions expire Nov. 9; Giant and Merida October revenue comes by Nov. 10; YETI reports Nov. 12; Mammoth and Vail Mountain open Nov. 13; Youngone (Scott Sports' parent) Q3 is due by Nov. 16 and isn't yet confirmed by the company; Epic prices rise after Nov. 15; Amer Sports reports Nov. 17. Pon has not announced a date for any 2026 interim figures.

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_The Outdoor Pulse is published weekday mornings. Weekly deep dives on Mondays._