Cascade Bicycle Studio (CBS), a Seattle, WA-based custom bike studio, announced that it has acquired Ambedo, a hybrid custom bike consultancy formerly run by industry veterans Chris Reed and Aaron Allen.

This acquisition is Cascade Bicycle Studio’s first step toward expansion, even as the bike retail industry contracts. Rather than growing through inventory or volume, CBS invests in “fit-first service consultation, and craftsmanship.”

Reed and Allen previously worked together at Studio Velo in Mill Valley, WA, a fit-first studio and one of six national nominees for the 2016 Interbike Innovation Award for Best Road/Triathlon Bike Shop.

Reed brings over 20 years of experience across specialty retail, business development and entrepreneurship. He was a partner at Bike RX, which later evolved into Studio Velo, where he led sales, vendor relations and systems-driven growth.

Allen brings decades of experience across retail, consulting, advocacy, and nonprofit leadership. His career includes leadership roles at City Cycle in San Francisco, serving as general manager at Studio Velo, founding Bespoke Cycles, and co-founding Ambedo.

“Cascade Bicycle Studio has built a reputation for thoughtful growth, best-in-class retail and a strong, community-first approach. The acquisition of Ambedo is a natural extension of that strategy,” said Ernesto Calderin, founder and principal of Prologue, LLC.

“Having worked with Chris Reed and Aaron Allen for more than 15 years, this is a clear no-brainer. They are both experts in our industry. This aligned move strengthens Cascade’s platform, deepens community connections, and positions the business well for continued, sustainable growth,” continued Calderin. “This partnership establishes a foundation for Cascade Bicycle Studio’s long-term vision: to build one of the few premium bicycle studios in the U.S. with multiple locations. CBS believes the future of high-end bike retail lies in fit-first, consultative studios focused on the person, particularly as inventory-driven retail continues to struggle.”

Image courtesy CBS