Kiefel family sells Wheat Ridge Cyclery after 48 years

WHEAT RIDGE, Colo. (BRAIN) — When Ron Kiefel began looking for a buyer for Wheat Ridge Cyclery, he made it known he wouldn't sell to a bike brand, according to General Manager Steve Heal. Kiefel wanted to maintain the family dynamic that's been the hallmark of his successful business.

On Friday, the Kiefel family announced at an all-company meeting that they sold the business after 48 years to David Dentry, senior director of operations at mobile phone carrier Visible.

Dentry's family was present at the meeting, along with the Kiefels, when it was also announced all staff would be kept, all vendors retained, and day-to-day operations will continue as before.

"The Kiefels did let Trek and Specialized know they were not interested in selling," Heal said. "They wanted to find a buyer that was a good fit and would continue their family's legacy and continue Wheat Ridge's legacy."

Wheat Ridge — which carries Trek, Specialized, Yeti, Santa Cruz, Salsa, and Cervelo — has been in the Kiefel family since 1973, after Ron's father, Eugene, purchased the shop. During Friday's meeting, Heal said Ron Kiefel took a trip down memory lane to remind staff of how his family came to own the shop. Eugene had considered buying one of three nearby businesses: a Dairy Queen, a tool rental shop, or the bike shop.

"And Ron joked about how different his life would have been if Eugene would've purchased one of those other businesses," Heal said.

Ron Kiefel became a professional road cyclist, a seven-time Tour de France participant, Olympic bronze medalist, and member of the U.S. Bicycling Hall of Fame.

"At the meeting, (Ron) mostly spoke of the appreciation that he's had for the staff the whole time," said Heal, who's been with Wheat Ridge 13 years, the last two as general manager. "So he's been my boss, and I've been running the business. In a lot of ways, not a lot changes, but now he doesn't have me nagging him."

Dentry does not have a bike industry background, Heal said. On Dentry's Facebook page Saturday, he posted: "We bought a bike shop! I'm thrilled to become part of the Wheat Ridge Cyclery family."