It all began with an idea
as an amateur pro cyclist in South Africa, sponsorships became very limited during 2013 due to major drug busts in the industry and louis-bresler knipe had to make a plan to support his racing lifestyle and of course.. what better way than to do what you know?? he started building wheels and doing general suspension services for local shops on a contract basis. one thing lead to another and louis started to build up a client basis for himself.
train-rest-collect-service-deliver-sleep-repeat
in 2014 louis joined forces with a local online store for stock support and to have an established premises to work from. jeremy du toit started as a bike washer, general helper and later became a valued friend and colleague.
in 2015 an opportunity came knocking… taking over the shop at meerendal wine farm as knipe racing and that is when the magic started to happen. sean dearling joins the knipe racing family and so does patrick banda. WORKING 7 days a week CAME WITH IT’S OWN CHALLENGES but they made a lot of friends and learned valuable lessons.
in 2016 THEY moved to lilie street- THE best move yet! THEY grew THEIR fabrication division and started THE leatt partnership. julian van wyk joins THE mechanic team, sean emmigrates to scotland, jeandre radyn and daniel nel joins.
QUICK FFWD 3 YEARS…AND THEN LOCKDOWN
ONE DOOR CLOSEd AND with that THEY OPENED A MUCH BIGGER WINDOW! BETTER LOCATION, BIGGER PREMISES, LEATT EXPANSION, AN EXTRA TWO WORKSTANDS, MACHINE ROOM EXPANSION AND A BIGGER SUSPENSION BAY!