Who Makes Smith & Wesson Bikes? | By Cycle Source Group

Short answer first, then the detail. Smith & Wesson branded bicycles are produced under a licensing program. The firearms company doesn’t weld frames or run a bike factory for this line. In 2002, Smith & Wesson signed a licensing deal with Cycle Source Group, which launched and supplied the police-use models many riders still see today. Cycle Source Group later operated alongside Cycle Force Group in Ames, Iowa, where the line was distributed to law-enforcement and retail channels. You can see the original licensing announcement on Smith & Wesson’s investor site and follow-on updates about the bicycle program there as well (link below).

Who Makes Smith & Wesson Bikes? Facts And Timeline

The path runs like this. Smith & Wesson introduced a police bicycle line in the late 1990s. In October 2002 the company licensed the bicycle business to Cycle Source Group, which then showcased the range at the Interbike trade show and handled production and distribution. In 2003, Smith & Wesson reported broad agency uptake for the branded bikes under that license. Many retail listings that persisted through the 2000s and 2010s identified Cycle Force Group as the manufacturer/distributor on product pages, aligning with Cycle Source Group’s presence in Ames, Iowa. These facts point to licensed manufacturing and supply through the Cycle Source/Cycle Force organization, not direct production by the firearms brand. Licensing agreement announcement and follow-on release.

Early Overview Of The Smith & Wesson Bicycle Line

Before the license transfer, the brand tested the waters with dedicated police builds. Media coverage from 1997 confirms a formal launch of patrol bikes aimed at law enforcement. That start explains why the line’s model names and kit choices lean toward duty use: sturdy wheels, controllable brakes, cargo mounting points, and drivetrains picked for stop-and-go city work. After licensing, those themes stayed intact, and units continued to reach departments through public-safety suppliers and dealers.

Core Models You’ll Hear About

Across catalogs and training-organization write-ups, four names come up again and again: Perimeter, Tactical, Custom, and Full Suspension. The Perimeter slotted as the budget patrol option for small departments or security details. The Tactical stepped up the components and braking power. The Custom brought a 27-speed SRAM build and RockShox fork that many shops still recognize from archived product pages. The Full Suspension rounded out the lineup for rougher routes.

Smith & Wesson Police Bike Models At A Glance

Model	Typical Use	Common Specs Snapshot
Perimeter	Entry patrol; security; parking enforcement	Hardtail; alloy frame; v-brakes or basic discs; patrol decals
Tactical	Daily patrol with heavier loads	Hydraulic or mechanical discs; stronger wheel build; duty rack mounts
Custom	Agency duty with upgraded parts	SRAM 27-speed drivetrain; RockShox front fork; Avid disc brakes
Full Suspension	Mixed terrain; parks and trails with obstacles	Rear shock; wider tires; tighter control over rough surfaces
Perimeter LE	Budget-minded law-enforcement spec	Durable drivetrain; patrol graphics; basic suspension fork
Patrol (Custom)	UK/US agency builds noted in archives	Alloy frame; duty kit mounts; custom decals per agency
Agency-Specific Variants	Department-ordered configs	Lights/siren wiring provisions; rear racks; bottle cages; bags

Those configurations line up with archived dealer pages and a 2006 training-organization note listing all four public-safety models with MSRP tiers. Product sheets from retailers describe the Custom’s SRAM/Avid/RockShox combo and agency-ready add-ons like racks and cages. That consistency makes it easier to identify genuine units and parts when shopping used.

Who Makes Smith And Wesson Bicycles Now: Licensing And Supply

Here’s the direct answer many readers want: production and distribution sit with the licensee side, not the firearms brand. Cycle Source Group became the official licensee in 2002. Product pages and retailer listings often show Cycle Force Group as the manufacturer/distributor, which aligns with the Ames, Iowa address used by the Cycle Source/Cycle Force operation at the time. Cycle Force Group itself describes handling licensed bicycle brands, including police bikes under the Smith & Wesson name, and announced a corporate acquisition in 2022 while continuing distribution work out of Iowa.

What “Licensee” Means For A Bike Buyer

A licensing deal grants the right to use the Smith & Wesson trademarks on bicycles and related gear. The licensee sources frames, components, and assembly from contracted factories, then handles quality control, distribution, and agency sales. In short, the bike you’re holding is an Ames-based licensed product built to the duty spec the licensee sets, not a firearm-factory side project.

Proof You Can Cite When Someone Asks

• Oct. 2002: Smith & Wesson announces a licensing agreement with Cycle Source Group covering the bicycle line. See the company’s official investor news page linked earlier.
• Apr. 2003: Smith & Wesson reports strong agency adoption of the licensed bikes in another release, again tying the bicycle range to Cycle Source Group.
• Training-industry publications from the mid-2000s list Cycle Source Group as the supplier of Smith & Wesson public-safety bikes and provide Ames, Iowa contact details.
• Retail listings for the Tactical and Perimeter models identify Cycle Force Group as the maker/distributor on the product info panel.

Why Agencies Picked These Bikes

Police departments want predictable braking, sturdy wheels, and easy parts support. The licensed lineup delivered that with discs on higher trims, common drivetrain standards, and mounts for racks, bags, and lights. Mechanics could swap pads, bleed lines, and service forks with off-the-shelf parts. Training bodies also appreciated consistent sizing runs for patrol officers.

Duty-Ready Features To Look For

• Brakes: Mechanical or hydraulic discs for confident stops with a loaded rear rack.
• Wheels/Tires: Double-wall rims and puncture-resistant rubber for curbs and alley debris.
• Mounts: Rear rack bosses, bottle cages, and bag fitment for patrol gear.
• Drivetrain: Mid-range components that shift clean under stop-start cadence.
• Fit: Multiple frame sizes so officers can choose a posture that balances control and comfort.

Who Makes Smith & Wesson Bikes? Buying Guide For Riders And Collectors

Many readers land here because they found a used Perimeter or Tactical and want to know what it really is. The short version: it’s a licensed patrol bike, usually specced like a mid-range hardtail with duty add-ons. Treat it like a working tool. Inspect the wheel build, check the fork for smooth travel, and scan the frame for rack-mount stress near the dropouts. If it carries a department asset tag or patrol decals, plan for a thorough tune and brake service.

How To Verify A Legitimate Patrol Build

• Serial And Labels: Look for a standard bottom-bracket serial plus any label from Cycle Source/Cycle Force or the dealer.
• Spec Match: Cross-check the listed drivetrain and brakes against archived model specs from dealer pages.
• Mounting Points: Duty frames typically have sturdy rack mounts and sometimes reinforced stays.
• Wheel Condition: Patrol bikes see curb hits; put the wheel in a truing stand or spin test for wobbles.

Common Parts And Service Notes

Shifters, cassettes, chains, and brake pads are standard sizes. Shops won’t struggle to service them. If the bike has a RockShox fork, plan on a lower-leg service and fresh seals. With mechanical discs, install new cables and housing during the first tune. With hydraulics, flush and bleed lines before patrol use. If the bike ran heavy cargo, inspect the rear rack mounts for hairline cracks and replace bolts with fresh stainless hardware.

Model-Year Clues, Pricing, And What To Expect

Exact years vary by shipment batch and dealer inventory. Since this is a licensed line, production runs reflect the licensee’s catalog cadence more than the firearms brand’s calendar. That’s why you’ll find overlapping spec sheets for the same model as parts availability changed. For used pricing, condition swings value more than model name. Local market, wheel health, and fork freshness move the needle the most.

Quick Condition Checkpoints

• Brake rotors straight and free of deep scoring.
• Headset turns smoothly with no notch at center.
• Rear triangle shows no rack-mount cracks or pulled threads.
• Fork stanchions clean with no wear lines or oil at seals.
• Drivetrain shifts clean under light load across all cogs.

For historical clarity, the official Smith & Wesson notice naming Cycle Source Group as the bicycle licensee is here: licensing agreement. A 2003 update summarizing agency adoption is here: bicycles receive wide acclaim.

Spec Examples From Archived Retail Pages

If you want a parts snapshot that many officers rode, the Custom’s spec is a solid reference point. Retailers listed SRAM 27-speed drivetrains, Avid disc brakes, and RockShox front suspension on that trim, with bottle cages and a rear rack included. That’s a practical kit for mixed urban routes with frequent stops and gear load.

Duty Hardtail Checklist (What To Confirm Before You Buy)

Item	What To Look For	Why It Matters
Brakes	Even bite; no squeal; rotors not blue or scored	Confident stops with a loaded rack
Fork	Clean stanchions; smooth travel; no oil seep	Control on curbs, alleys, and paths
Wheels	Minimal hop; tight spokes; no rim cracks	Reliability under duty weight
Frame	Sound rack mounts; no stress marks at dropouts	Cargo stability and long-term safety
Drivetrain	Clean shifts across range; chain wear within spec	Low-drama starts and climbs
Fit	Frame size suits rider; bar/stem not stretched	Handling in crowds and tight turns
Accessories	Racks tight; bags secure; light mounts stable	Gear stays put over rough pavement

How This Line Compares To Other Patrol Bikes

Spec-for-spec, the licensed Smith & Wesson builds sit near mid-range hardtails that agencies often buy from big bike brands. Many departments weigh local shop support and parts availability over the badge on the downtube. If your shop can service SRAM/Avid/RockShox without special orders, you’re in good shape. If your city requires fleet branding, the Smith & Wesson decals and duty colors remain a draw on used markets.

When A Smith & Wesson Patrol Bike Is A Smart Buy

• You want a purpose-built duty frame with mounts ready to go.
• You prefer common components that any shop can service.
• You value the police-spec geometry and rugged wheel builds.

When To Pass

• The wheels need full rebuilds and the price doesn’t reflect that.
• The fork shows wear lines or oil; a service quote wipes out savings.
• Rack-mount cracks or pulled threads appear at the dropouts.

Trusted Sources If You Want Receipts

Two links carry the most weight for the question “who makes Smith & Wesson bikes.” First, the company’s news page naming Cycle Source Group as the licensee. Second, a follow-up release summarizing agency uptake of the licensed bicycle line. Both are direct from the brand’s investor relations site and provide formal documentation. Training-body newsletters from the period also list Cycle Source Group as the supplier with an Ames, Iowa address, which aligns with Cycle Force Group references on retail pages. That triangulation explains the naming you’ll see on boxes, labels, and dealer invoices.

FAQ-Style Clarifications Without The Fluff

Does The Firearms Company Build The Frames?

No. The frames and builds come through the licensee’s supply chain. The Smith & Wesson trademark appears under the license terms.

Are These Bikes Good For Daily Commuting?

Yes, if maintained. They’re duty-tuned hardtails. Expect a firm, predictable ride with strong brakes and cargo options. Weight sits higher than a pure sport build, which is fine for city miles with gear.

What About Parts?

They use common standards. Your local shop can source pads, rotors, chains, cassettes, and fork service kits.

Bottom Line

When someone asks “who makes Smith & Wesson bikes,” the accurate reply is this: Cycle Source Group holds the license and, in practice, you’ll see Cycle Force Group tied to distribution out of Ames, Iowa. The bikes themselves are patrol-ready hardtails with mainstream components, originally aimed at agencies and now popular on the used market. If the condition checks out, they make solid city workhorses.