115 - Bare Innovation's Ryan Burney on Bikes, Business, and Rim Protection
Description
Starting a product company in the cycling industry isn't for the faint of heart—just ask Ryan Burney. After years of designing bikes at Cannondale and GT, Ryan quit his job with no safety net to launch Rim Saver and eventually Bare Innovation, his engineering consulting firm. In this episode, Ryan gets real about the economics of running a small cycling business, why he realized product companies need to "go big" to survive, and how he pivoted to consulting while still growing his tire insert brand. His story offers valuable lessons for anyone dreaming of turning their cycling passion into a business.
Ryan also shares the technical story behind Rim Saver, explaining how his dissatisfaction with foam tire inserts led him to engineer a plastic alternative that protects rims and prevents pinch flats without changing how your tire feels. From his early days interning at SRAM to designing the flex stay on the Cannondale Scalpel to building rally car wings for Subaru, Ryan's career path shows what's possible when engineering skill meets entrepreneurial drive.
Bare Innovation: https://www.bareinnovation.com/
Rim Saver: https://www.savetherims.com/
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