Mike O'Connor
US-based titanium bicycle manufacturer Lynskey Performance Products has entered Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection as it moves to restructure its business while continuing to trade.
The Chattanooga, Tennessee company lodged a voluntary petition on April 30, 2026, with the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee. Court filings show the business is seeking relief from what it describes as “substantial payroll, rising costs, declining profits/margins, and egregious Shopify chargebacks”.
Chapter 11 protection in the US is designed to allow companies to keep operating while they reorganise debts under court supervision, rather than immediately shutting down.
According to filings, Lynskey carries liabilities estimated between US$1 million and US$10 million, with just under US$59,000 in cash on hand as of the filing date.
The well-known company was founded in 2005 by David Lynskey, who previously established influential titanium brand Litespeed Cycles in 1984 before selling that business in 1999. Both brands are based in Chattanooga and are known for high-end titanium road and gravel bikes.
Lynskey has positioned itself as a more affordable, direct-to-consumer alternative in the titanium segment, but court documents suggest the shift toward e-commerce has also contributed to its financial pressure. The filing points to fulfilment challenges, rising costs and chargebacks linked to delayed online orders as key factors in its cash-flow issues.
The company is expected to continue operating during the restructuring process, with any long-term outcome dependent on creditor negotiations and approval of a reorganisation plan by the US court.
At the same time, it is currently selling many discounted frames and bikes via its website.
Mike O’Connor – A keen cyclist, runner and photographer, Mike O’Connor is the Editor of Bicycling Australia. He manages the BA website and social media, and loves promoting the achievements of Australian cyclists.
