Major UK cycling distribution business Saddleback has reportedly entered administration, marking another significant blow to the British cycling sector. The firm, known for distributing popular brands like Castelli, Sidi, and Sportful, has filed a notice of intention to appoint administrators, leading to the redundancy of 42 staff members.
Key Takeaways
- Saddleback, a significant UK cycling distributor, has reportedly entered administration.
- The company has filed a notice of intention to appoint administrators.
- Approximately 42 staff members have been made redundant.
- The collapse follows the loss of key brand partnerships, including Cannondale and Enve.
- This event highlights ongoing struggles within the UK cycling industry post-pandemic.
Business Collapse and Brand Losses
The news comes after a series of setbacks for Saddleback. In March, Cannondale bikes ended their distribution partnership with Saddleback, a move that had previously been described as "transformative" and had significantly boosted turnover. This followed the earlier loss of high-end bike and wheel brand Enve.
According to reports, the Cannondale deal had contributed to a substantial £10 million increase in turnover, bringing it to around £24 million in the year to January 2026. Despite this, the company had been working towards breaking even after incurring losses in the preceding two years. In its most recent accounts, Saddleback Limited reported a pre-tax loss of £1.6 million for the year ending January 31, 2025, an improvement on the previous year’s £2.3 million loss.
Wider Industry Struggles
Saddleback’s administration is the latest in a string of difficulties faced by UK cycling businesses since the COVID-19 pandemic. The industry has grappled with over-supply issues following a surge in demand during lockdowns, coupled with a sharp drop in demand as restrictions eased. The ongoing cost of living crisis has further exacerbated the challenging trading environment.
Other notable casualties in the UK cycling sector include:
- Longstanding children’s bike brand Frog, which entered administration in March.
- Former rival i-ride, which entered administration in 2024.
- Moore Large, which collapsed a year prior to i-ride.
- WiggleCRC, which entered administration in 2023 before being acquired by Frasers Group.
It remains uncertain what the future holds for the UK distribution of the brands previously handled by Saddleback. An automated reply from the company’s email stated it was "no longer operational, as of Friday 29th May 2026" and advised inquiries to be directed to the brands themselves.
