Framed Bikes was owned by Camping World through Active Sports; the brand went dormant after The House closed in 2023.
If you’ve wondered who actually held the keys to Framed—famous for fat bikes like the Minnesota series—the short answer sits in corporate filings and trade reports. Framed Bikes operated as a house brand under Active Sports (best known for The-House.com). In 2017, Camping World Holdings acquired Active Sports, so ownership of Framed flowed up to Camping World. In March 2023, Camping World disclosed plans to liquidate the Active Sports business, and The House shut its doors. That move left Framed in limbo and, by all visible signs, inactive as a brand.
Who Owns Framed Bikes? Now And Before 2023
This section walks through how ownership worked, why Framed grew fast under a value playbook, and what changed when The House closed. You’ll see two parts: the history, then the current state.
Fast Timeline: Brand, Parent, And Events
To ground the story, here’s a concise timeline that tracks Framed Bikes from its Minnesota roots to its most recent status. It also gives context around leadership shifts and distribution.
| Year/Period | Entity/Owner | What Happened |
|---|---|---|
| 2010s (early) | Framed Bikes (St. Paul/Minneapolis) | Brand launches with value-driven fat bikes and BMX; distribution includes The-House.com and dealers. |
| 2015 | Active Gear Corp. (Active Sports) | Industry trade notes a dedicated Framed division under Active Sports; dealer base grows. |
| 2016 | Active Sports | Management changes at Framed are reported in trade media while the line expands beyond fat bikes. |
| 2017 | Camping World Holdings | Camping World acquires Active Sports and The-House.com, bringing Framed under Camping World’s umbrella. |
| 2019–2022 | Camping World (via Active Sports) | Framed continues to sell fat bikes, MTB, BMX, and gravel models; supply chain ups and downs hit the category. |
| Mar 2023 | Camping World / Active Sports | SEC filing cites plans to liquidate Active Sports; media reports The House closure and layoffs. |
| Mid–Late 2023 | Camping World (parent) | Framed listings fade; brand communication points to service winding down with The House closure. |
How Framed Fit Under Active Sports
Framed started as a value-minded brand built around rider-friendly pricing. Active Sports gave it a powerful retail channel through The-House.com and a network of shops. The strategy was simple: solid spec for the money, models that hit real-world use cases, and quick availability during the fat-bike boom. That combination put Framed on a lot of snowy trails and gravel roads without asking buyers to spend big.
What The 2023 Restructuring Meant
In March 2023, Camping World submitted a restructuring letter to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission outlining the plan to wind down Active Sports. News coverage matched those filings and confirmed that The House shuttered operations. With its retail engine gone, Framed’s pipeline, warranty channel, and brand presence went quiet. That’s why shoppers now find only old stock, scattered parts, or used bikes.
Ownership Answer With Sourcing
Two public sources nail the turning point. First, Camping World’s SEC restructuring letter spells out the liquidation of Active Sports. Next, a detailed report from a respected outdoor outlet confirmed The House closure and layoffs; see GearJunkie’s piece, “The House” retailer shuts down. Together they show why the practical answer to who owns Framed Bikes? sits with Camping World (via Active Sports) and why the brand is dormant today.
Is Framed Still Making Bikes?
No active product flow has surfaced since The House closed. Legacy pages linger in pockets across the web, and some dealer pages still reference older models. That’s normal when a brand goes quiet: catalogs and listings hang around, but new deliveries don’t appear. If fresh life returns under a new structure or license, it would show up as a new corporate press note, a rebuilt site, and an updated dealer list.
What This Means If You Already Own A Framed
You can keep riding. Most wear parts on Framed bikes—chains, cassettes, brake pads, rotors, bottom brackets, headsets, and tires—use standard interfaces. That means a local shop can match replacements without chasing brand-specific SKUs. Many frames took common hub spacing and bottom bracket formats, and the fat-bike models accepted widely available 26×4–4.8 inch tires and 190/197 mm rear hubs, depending on the generation.
Service, Parts, And Compatibility
For routine work, shops can source parts by spec rather than brand. Bring the bike in, or list the exact model year and parts group on a note. Photos of the bottom bracket shell, brake caliper, and hub end caps help a tech pick matches fast. If you’re doing the wrenching at home, measure before you buy and double-check fit on arrival.
Warranty And Support Reality Check
Because Framed’s retail and parent operations wound down, warranty channels attached to The House are no longer live. If you have a proof-of-purchase and a clear issue on a fresh bike, you can still ask the original retailer for help; some shops may provide goodwill service. For older bikes, treat the bike like any out-of-warranty frame: inspect frequently, replace wear parts on schedule, and keep bolts torqued to spec.
Buying Used: How To Vet A Framed Bike
Used Framed bikes can be great values. The trick is to buy on condition and fit, not on nostalgia. Here’s a quick method that applies to the Minnesota series, the Basswood gravel line, and other models you might see on classifieds.
Pre-Purchase Checks
- Frame And Fork: Sight along the tubes for dings or ripples. Light surface scuffs are fine; deep dents near welds are not.
- Wheels: Spin each wheel. Minor wobbles are fixable; cracks at spoke holes are deal-breakers.
- Drivetrain: Look for shark-tooth chainring wear and a stretched chain. A fresh chain and cassette can bring a tired bike back to life.
- Brakes: Squeeze levers. A firm feel is good; a slow pull suggests a bleed or pad swap.
- Bearings: Rock the wheels side-to-side; play means hub service. Turn the bars; grittiness points to a headset swap.
- Fit: Check reach and standover. If you can’t get a comfortable position with normal stem and bar swaps, walk away.
- Price Anchor: Compare against similar-spec used bikes, not brand-new MSRPs from years ago.
Red Flags That Should Stop The Deal
- Cracks Or Deformed Welds: No bargain offsets a structural risk.
- Frozen Seatpost: If it won’t budge, plan for a time-intensive fix or a pass.
- Missing Small Parts: Axles, hangers, and odd cable stops can be hard to source; budget time and money if they’re gone.
Common Specs You’ll See On Framed Builds
Specs varied by year and price point, but many bikes shared familiar standards. This cheat sheet helps you talk to a shop or pick parts online.
| Area | Typical Standard | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Bottom Bracket | BSA threaded (fat bikes often 100 mm shell) | Measure shell width; match spindle length and chainline. |
| Rear Hub | Fat: 190/197×12; MTB: 142/148×12 | Confirm axle type and brake rotor mount (6-bolt vs Center Lock). |
| Brake Mount | Post mount | Rotor sizes often 160–180 mm; check fork/frame max. |
| Headset | Common zero-stack / integrated patterns | Measure cup outer diameters; match upper/lower types. |
| Seatpost | 30.9 or 31.6 mm | Many riders swapped to droppers; confirm insertion depth. |
| Crank/Q-Factor | Fat-bike specific for wide chainlines | Chainring offset matters; test for heel clearance. |
| Tires | Fat: 26×4.0–4.8; Gravel: 700×38–45 | Check fork/frame clearance and rim inner width. |
What If The Brand Returns?
Bike brands often pause and later reappear under a new owner or license. If Framed resurfaces, expect a new site, an updated warranty path, and distribution through either a revitalized DTC model or a dealer group. Until then, treat Framed as a legacy brand: great bikes still rolling, but no factory pipeline.
Clear Answer To The Question
Given the record, the plain answer to Who Owns Framed Bikes? is this: Framed sat under Active Sports, which Camping World acquired in 2017; after Camping World’s 2023 decision to liquidate Active Sports and The House closure, Framed became dormant. That’s why you won’t see current-year bikes, press updates, or active warranty pages tied to the brand.
How To Keep Your Framed Running Strong
Keep a simple maintenance routine and build a small spares kit that fits your model. Focus on chains, brake pads, a fresh shift cable and housing, and a quality tubeless sealant if your rims and tires support it. If a part seems odd or legacy-only, take photos and measurements to a local shop. Matching by spec beats guessing by brand name.
A Smart Parts Plan
- Drive: New chain every 0.5% wear (per a chain checker) saves cassettes and rings.
- Brakes: Keep spare pads; replace rotors when thickness drops below maker spec.
- Wheels: Add tubeless tape and valves if rims allow; carry plugs and a mini-pump.
- Bearings: Headset and bottom bracket feel rough? Swap before it ruins other parts.
Shopping For Alternatives With A Similar Ride
If you loved the Framed recipe—friendly pricing and go-anywhere fun—scan comparable models from current makers. Look for aluminum frames with proven drivetrains, reliable brakes, and clear fit charts. Value lines from major brands often tick those boxes. Check stock at local shops first, then compare online listings.
Key Takeaways
- Ownership: Framed sat under Active Sports; Camping World became the parent in 2017.
- Status: After The House closed in 2023, Framed activity faded and the brand appears dormant.
- Support: Treat service like any out-of-warranty bike; most parts match common standards.
- Used Market: Buy on condition and fit; use the checks in this guide to avoid duds.
Why This Answer Is Trustworthy
The ownership chain is grounded in public filings and established reporting. Read the detailed news report on The House closure and Camping World’s restructuring letter that describes the Active Sports wind-down. Those two records explain why Framed sales and support went quiet.
Final Word For Owners And Shoppers
If you own a Framed, keep riding it and service it like any well-used trail bike. If you’re shopping used, the models still offer loads of value when the frame and wheels pass inspection. If the brand returns, the news will show up in corporate updates and dealer channels. Until then, the clean answer to “Who Owns Framed Bikes?” remains the same: Camping World held it through Active Sports, and the brand paused when that business closed.