Joe Montgomery, co-founder of Cannondale, has passed away

The world of cycling bids farewell to Joe Montgomery, one of the founders of Cannondale, who passed away at the age of 86 last Friday. Montgomery was, along with Murdoch MacGregor and engineer Ron Davis, a key figure in the birth of one of the most influential brands in the modern history of bicycles.

Goodbye to Joe Montgomery, co-founder of Cannondale and pioneer of the aluminum revolution

The Cannondale adventure began in 1971 in Wilton (Connecticut), in a setting that is now part of the industry's imagination, in a loft located above Mrs. Forrester's pickle factory. From that improvised space, a project was launched that would end up breaking many of the technical dogmas of traditional cycling.

Montgomery was one of the great promoters of a philosophy that early on embraced going against the grain. While most manufacturers remained loyal to steel, Cannondale boldly ventured into exploring aluminum first and then carbon fiber, laying the groundwork for a new way of understanding bicycle manufacturing. This nonconformist mentality was complemented by developments that marked an era, such as the HeadShok suspension and the unmistakable Lefty single-sided fork, symbols of a brand that was never afraid to take risks.

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This innovative vision allowed Cannondale to grow into a global reference, although the path was not without difficulties. In 2003, the company declared bankruptcy and was acquired by Pegasus Capital Advisors. Years later, in 2008, it came under the ownership of Dorel Industries, and in 2022 the brand, along with other historic names like Schwinn and GT, was acquired by the Pon Holdings group, in a deal that consolidated its position within one of the largest conglomerates in the cycling industry.

The legacy of Joe Montgomery also has a strong family component. His son Scott Montgomery held top positions in the company from 1984 to 2003 and was key in the brand's international expansion, especially in Japan and Europe, crucial stages for Cannondale to become a global name.

With his passing, cycling loses one of those names that do not always make headlines, but without whom it would be impossible to understand the technical and cultural evolution of the bicycle as we know it today.