On March 21, 1995 Dero Bike Racks was born. Tomorrow is officially our 20th birthday! What started as two University of Minnesota graduates trying to solve the problem of insufficient bike parking, has grown into one of the leading bicycle rack and public bike repair manufacturers in the country (but we don’t take ourselves too seriously). Though Dero has seen its share of ups and downs over the past two decades, our vision has always stayed the same: to design and manufacture the most innovative and high quality bicycling infrastructure to serve people on bikes. This year, we’ll look back at Dero’s history through the eyes of its employees. Below, Colin Klotzbach shares his reflections on his tenure as the Graphic and Web Designer at Dero. He’s been working with Dero the longest, so he has some interesting stories. Enjoy his dry sense of humor – he’s quite a character.
How long have you been at Dero?
Officially 13 years, but my first freelance project with Dero was in 1997.
Where is your favorite place to ride your bike?
I’m hoping Holland will be my favorite place to ride after this summer.
What sets us apart from other bike rack manufacturers?
Our experience in marketing imported model ships and used laptop computers.
Do you have any funny stories from working at Dero?
Life at Dero has always been just a bit different than most employers. For a long time it always felt like we were just scraping by. We didn’t always have enough salvaged university desks for everyone (Andy, our GM, had no desk when he was hired), we often had mice running over our feet at the old warehouse, and dog hair would crash our server a couple times a year. It wasn’t even until we moved into our current place a few years ago that our hands could experience warm water coming out of the taps in the bathroom sinks. But like everyone’s parents say: It builds character.
Favorite rack, and why you like it?
The
Bike Bike Rack. What’s not to love about it? It keeps showing up everywhere, even photobombing several news outlets, proving it survives riots and natural disasters.
Why do people love Dero racks?
As useful as bike racks are, it is kind of hard to take them too seriously. I think people appreciate seeing a little extra thought put into something that could otherwise be one of the most mundane features of public life.
The Biker Bar is a leaning rail designed to give bicyclists a place to rest a hand and foot to balance while waiting at an intersection, never needing to dismount. People on bikes will no longer have to reach for the curb or a sign post to support them at traffic lights. The Biker Bar also acts as a push-off point, assisting riders in getting an efficient start from a full stop. This helps keep traffic moving efficiently and safely through the intersection. The Biker Bar also gives bicyclists a designated area to wait in a queue and out of the crosswalk, so pedestrians have a clear path. The Biker Bar is modular, so depending on the location, it can be extended to accommodate more bicyclists. It is easy to install and includes tamper-proof hardware.
The Saddle Buddy is a perfect amenity for mountain bike trailheads and park rest areas. Its simple design allows bikers to hang bikes from the front of the saddle, keeping them upright. While taking a break or gearing up for the ride ahead, bicyclists no longer need to find a nearby tree to lean their bike on or a patch of grass to lay their bike down. The Saddle Buddy is not designed as a lockable bike rack, but rather a convenient spot for riders who won’t be leaving bikes unattended. Available in galvanized steel to hold up to the elements.
