Niner Bikes founder, now a Portlander, hopes to crowdfund children’s book

Cover of Domahidy’s book.

Go to any bike race or adventure ride these days and you’re almost sure to see “Niner” on the downtube of at least one of the bikes. Niner Bikes, as their name suggests, is respected in the bike industry as a pioneer of the 29-inch wheel size, having launched their first model in 2004.

Steve Domahidy co-founded Niner and was head of its R & D department until 2011. He recently moved to Portland where he’s put his design and engineering prowess behind a new brand (Viral Bikes) and a new project that’s a departure from anything he’s worked on in his 30-year career in the bike industry: a children’s book.

Domahidy is currently in the final stretch of a Kickstarter campaign for A Bike For You, a book he wrote in tandem with illustrator Rob Snow. The book is a fun tale that uses animals to explore many different types of bikes and styles of riding. Here’s an excerpt:

“Turtle wants a slow one to race no one

Wolf takes his on a trail with bumps

Monkey takes hers on one with jumps

Giraffe needs one that’s tall

And Meerkat needs one that’s small

Rabbit has one that needs a push

And Koala has one that’s soft on her tush

Sometimes you need a bike to get through the snow

And sometimes you’re someone who’s on the go.”

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And here are a few of the illustrations by Rob Snow:

Steve Domahidy.
(Photo: Domahidy Designs)

With several successes in the bike industry, Domahidy hopes his book will, “Inspire a new generation of bicycle lovers.” “Our industry has not done a very good job inspiring new riders to want to get on bikes,” he says. “And in my opinion this starts at the youngest of ages! I want to build a culture around bikes, and I want young children to see them as early as possible and begin to dream about where a bicycle can take them.”

Part of the proceeds from Domahidy’s Kickstarter campaign will go to Ride for Reading, a nonprofit that delivers books via bike to low-income youth.

He aims to raise $15,000 for the project and he’s got over $10,000 so far with six days left. Have a look and consider supporting this great project.

Welcome to Portland, Steve!

— Jonathan Maus: (503) 706-8804, @jonathan_maus on Twitter and jonathan@bikeportland.org

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Jonathan Maus (Publisher/Editor)

Jonathan Maus (Publisher/Editor)

Founder of BikePortland (in 2005). Father of three. North Portlander. Basketball lover. Car owner and driver. If you have questions or feedback about this site or my work, feel free to contact me at @jonathan_maus on Twitter, via email at maus.jonathan@gmail.com, or phone/text at 503-706-8804. Also, if you read and appreciate this site, please become a supporter.

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bikeninja
bikeninja
6 years ago

Nice, I hope there is a giraffe on a tall bike! And an owl on a folding bike!

Steve Domahidy
6 years ago
Reply to  bikeninja

Bike Ninja, we got half of that covered for you!!! Giraffe is on a tall bike for sure!

Middle of the Road Guy
Middle of the Road Guy
6 years ago

I love my Niner RLT!

bikeninja
bikeninja
6 years ago

Steve, I hope you do a follow up book where the cycling animals defeat the automobiles and save the planet.

Bill Stites
Bill Stites
6 years ago

Welcome to Portland, Steve. So important to bring the younger ones on board early, especially in the context of a rapidly changing world.

Looking forward to your innovative contributions.

Scott Kocher
6 years ago

I love my Niner BSB, even won a couple races on it ;). Glad to hear Steve is in town and up to good stuff. Nice to see animal characters that are not all “he.”