Is Shebeest defunct?

[zoom-zoom]

I can find no evidence of a company website, suddenly. I have a pair of shorts that I've not had long (not purchased from TE and the retailer apparently won't handle warranty stuff--that'll learn me!), but the stitching is essentially dissolving on either side of the chamois where it attaches at the inner thigh and rubs against my saddle. I'm totally bummed, since they are, by far, the comfiest short I've ever worn.

Guess I'm stuck with PI and their diaper-like chamois, since they are the only brand that has never given me trouble in this spot (I've had similar issues with several other brands, unfortunately). :(

[jessmarimba]

I suddenly can't find their stuff in stores, either. I was kind of wondering the same thing. I love their shorts so I hope not! :(

[zoom-zoom]

*sigh* I have the sh!ttiest luck... :p

[jessmarimba]

Nothing on their facebook page either way? Though the last post was August 10, and apparently their website has been down since at least Sep 12 (From comments).

[jessmarimba]

Ok, update again, I think Shebeest was distributed by Veltec sports, which is shutting down (or has shut down). News article is here:

http://www.bicycleretailer.com/news/newsDetail/5697.html (http://www.bicycleretailer.com/news/newsDetail/5697.html)

[zoom-zoom]

So the individual brands may still be out there...? I have some descente warmers that I really like, too.

[jessmarimba]

I got nothin'.

If Shebeest was based out of Boulder, and the Boulder distributor shut down in favor of continuing operations in Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg...does that mean Shebeest is just gone? Googling Veltec Benelux gets me a website that finds my closest dealer as

1. Bets Fietsen
Heemskerckstraat 10
1792 AB OUDESCHILD

And supposedly the brand has reverted to the Dutch owners (the bigger Veltec?). So if the designers are here, but the brand is there, I don't see how that'll work. At any rate, the Veltec Benelux website has English translations so maybe you can find some way to contact them.


(If I had any free time this weekend, I'm almost curious enough to drive up to Boulder and see if Shebeest still has a building there!)

[esmorin]

I have seen a ton of SheBeest stuff at my local TJ Maxx! i was kind of wondering, too!

[zoom-zoom]

On the bright side, maybe it's a good thing that the S-Pro shorts ended up being duds for me...I'd hate to have had them be 100% perfect and then not be able to get them in the future.

[WindingRoad]

Sounds like its time for a trip to TJ Max :D

[Crankin]

Oh no! I love my S Pros. Thankfully, I have 4 pairs.

[callmej]

perhaps you could take your shorts to a seamstress or alterations shop and have them replace the stitching. would be a shame to waste a good pair of shorts. hey but I'm headed over to TJ Maxx myself in a little while. who would have thought they sold cycling gear.

[Crankin]

I've only seen a few pieces of cycling gear at the TJ Maxx by me. And none of it was stuff I would buy.

[Biciclista]

bummer, i liked shebeest too

[KnottedYet]

Has anyone asked Susan?

[ny biker]

I'm going to the LBS today, and they carry Shebeest so I'll ask them what they know. Maybe it's just a question of finding a new US distributor.

Update: the LBS manager confirms that the distributor is no more, and he has not heard about any company to replace them.

[zoom-zoom]

perhaps you could take your shorts to a seamstress or alterations shop and have them replace the stitching.

That's what I'm thinking I will do. Can anyone tell me if anyone makes a chamois similar to Shebeest's Dolce Shelastic chamois..? I like that it's stretchy. I have had far fewer chafing issues on my sensitive bits with that chamois and like that it doesn't feel diaper-like.

[tangentgirl]

bummer, dude.

[Bike Chick]

Man, I hate to hear this. I have 3 pair of SheBeest shorts and they are my favorites. I'm with you on PI.........DH loves them but they have never fit me right and the chamois feels like a (full) diaper.

[jobob]

Has anyone asked Susan?

+1. One would think Susan or Jeff would know.

[goldfinch]

Amazon still has a lot of Shebeest stuff, no special deals though.

[OakLeaf]

Well.

While looking for a dealer who stocks Lake shoes, I found this: http://www.bicycleretailer.com/news/newsDetail/5697.html

Short answer: the distributor for Shebeest, Lake and Descente is shutting down its US operations. As of the date of that story in July, they were looking for another distributor, as well as a buyer for both Lake and Shebeest, owned by the distributor's Dutch parent company. If things are winding down in the USA it sounds like they didn't find either.

Either a real bummer or a possible investment opportunity. Just when I thought I might be able to find shoes that fit.

[sarahkonamojo]

Oh no! No Lake cycling shoes no more 40 wides? I am sunk. I should have bought more!
S

[OakLeaf]

Amazon.com has a fairly large selection, so you might look there. I just ordered their very last pair of 41 wide. :D (Actually I hope it's 41 and I hope they're true to Lake's size chart. Amazon only gave USA sizes, which Lake's own size chart converts a Euro 41 to a US 7, but I normally take a 9 wide in US men's shoes and at least a 42 in Euro sizes just to get enough width. We'll see - I'll return them if I have to.)

[Crankin]

I love the Bella shorts. They are extremely compressive, have a chamois that is not a diaper, and a flat waist. The only reason I got the Shebeest S Pros was that the Bellas were too heavy/hot when i went to Spain and the sweating caused an issue, so now I alternate.
However, I could not wear the short version of the Bellas... something about the seam/chamois just dug into me and was excruciating.

[Susan Otcenas]

Has anyone asked Susan?

No. :-)

Here's what I can tell you:

There is no Shebeest in production for Fall 2011.

Veltec (Shebeest's owner) is not taking orders from retailers for Spring 2012 delivery.

Team Estrogen purchased a very large quantity of Shebeest apparel in the not-too-distant past. Of the styles we purchased, we did "take all" buys, meaning that we took the entire remaining inventory in those styles.

We have quite a lot of Shebeest inventory in stock, but when it's gone, it will not be replenished. If you'd like to see what we have, you can find it here:

http://www.teamestrogen.com/shebeest/product/c0-b100004.html

We have FULL SIZE RUNS in Century Elite shorts, Nirvana shorts, Tri shorts. We have everything but small in S-Pro. We also have FULL SIZE RUNS in regular and plus size Pedal Pushers, as well as padded Tech Tights.

Of course, we have lots of other Shebeest as well, including some jerseys, cycloskorts and accessories.

Hope this helps.

Susan

[jobob]

Has anyone asked Susan?


No. :-)




I suppose that would have been too easy. :rolleyes: :D

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

I love all my Shebeest stuff....BUMMER! :(

[PamNY]

I love all my Shebeest stuff....BUMMER! :(

Me too. I thought I had a major life problem solved with the discovery of Shebeest shorts, and now this. Bummer indeed.

[sgf726]

Bummer - Shebeest are my favorite bike and tri shorts.

[Chile Pepper]

I just bought a pair from TE and wore them today for the first time. Fantastic! I'm glad I got a pair while they're still available.

[zoom-zoom]

Shebeest just posted on their FB page:
"Dear friends of Shebeest. We are sorry to have been absent for a while. As many of you know, we are going through some changes. Even though it may have seemed like it, we are not going out of business. Our parent company retreated from the US market and Shebeest is merely transitioning to new ownership. Thank you for your patience, loyalty and enthusiasm. Please stay tuned. We will announce specifics here as soon as we we can."

[Biciclista]

oh great news!!

[Blueberry]

Fabulous news!!! It's hard to believe how much of the US women's clothing market (or at least the clothing I like!) comes from them. Hooray!!

[marni]

heaving a sigh of relief- most of my very favorite biking gear comes from Shebeest and I was so not looking forward to starting to find a new source for my fixes.

marni

[deanywalker21]

Well now I understand why I could not get the Triple S Shorts last season. I ordered one pair from Gotta Ride Bikes and loved them...tried to order more and there were none to be had..was told they were on back order, but the back order never came through. I have a few of their jerseys and really like them too...:(

[sgf726]

According to there website they won't be back until Spring 2013 :(

I was hoping it was going to be 2012.

The triple S shorts are my favorite, anyone know of something similiar in fit from another manufacturer?

[indysteel]

That is a bummer. I'm a big fan of their Bellisima cut jerseys (slightly relaxed) and my old ones are showing their age.

[Susan Otcenas]

Shebeest will be back with a full line for S'13. There's a possibility there may be some black bottoms available (including SSS shorts) for F'12, but that's not yet assured.

You can see what we have left in stock here to tide you over: http://www.teamestrogen.com/shebeest/product/c0-b100004-p0.html