Rhoades Car

Rhoades Car is a United States-based quadracycle brand founded in 1991 by David Rhoades and located in Hendersonville, Tennessee. Its products are four-wheel bicycles designed to combine bicycle propulsion with a more car-like seating arrangement and road presence. The company markets the concept with the slogan “The 4-wheel bike that drives like a car!” and has been described as one of the world's largest quadracycle manufacturers. The brand's product range is centered on practical multi-wheel human-powered transportation rather than conventional two-wheel bicycles. Its catalog has included single-seat, side-by-side two-seat, extended-frame cargo, and four-seat models, as well as electric-assist versions marketed under the SportPed name. Other specialized offerings include Go-Boy industrial quadracycles, Rhoades Solaride models for two or four occupants, and the one-person ComfortRide configuration with a broad seat. These products address recreational riding, group transportation, utility use, and low-speed mobility applications. Rhoades Car's vehicles use welded square steel tubing and 20-by-2.125-inch wheels. Two- and four-seat models provide independent pedaling, allowing occupants to contribute separately to propulsion. Compound transmissions with as many as 42 gears have been available, giving the vehicles a broad gearing range for different riding conditions. The construction and configuration distinguish the brand from ordinary bicycles while retaining pedal-based operation. David Rhoades led the company as president until his death from heart disease in late 2009. Bill Pomakoy became president in 2010 and renamed the company Rhoades Car International. Ownership changed again on October 1, 2015, when the business became part of Mobile Specialty Group, Inc. In January 2020, Par Bikes, LLC acquired the company's assets. The same transaction also involved VierBike, a company associated with a similar but more luxurious four-wheel bicycle design. The available reference material identifies Rhoades Car as continuing with a product line of quadracycles, although detailed information about its current corporate organization, distribution, and official web presence is limited.

Rhoades Car was established in 1991 in the United States by David Rhoades. From its Tennessee base, the company specialized in four-wheel bicycles, commonly called quadracycles. The format gave riders a vehicle with four wheels, a wider and more stable footprint than a conventional bicycle, and seating configurations suitable for one or more occupants. The brand's marketing summarized this proposition through the slogan “The 4-wheel bike that drives like a car!” The company's engineering approach focused on a steel-tube chassis and bicycle-style propulsion. Rhoades Car vehicles were constructed from welded square 2-by-2-inch steel tubing and fitted with 20-by-2.125-inch wheels. On two- and four-seat models, the occupants could pedal independently. Available compound transmissions reached as many as 42 gears, allowing the vehicles to be configured for varied terrain and riding conditions. This combination of structural rigidity, multiple seats, and independent pedaling supported both recreational and utility uses. Over time, Rhoades Car developed a broad family of configurations. The range included the single-seat 4W1P, the two-seat side-by-side 4W2PCP Coupe, the extended two-seat 4W2PLF with a longer cargo area, and the four-seat 4W4P. The company also offered e-one, e-two, and e-four SportPed models with electric assistance for one, two, and four occupants respectively. Go-Boy models addressed industrial applications, while Rhoades Solaride products were offered in two- and four-person forms. The ComfortRide provided a one-person layout with a 20-inch-wide seat. Together, these models positioned Rhoades Car as a specialist in practical four-wheel cycling rather than as a general bicycle producer. David Rhoades remained president until his death from heart disease in late 2009 at the age of 60. Bill Pomakoy succeeded him as president in 2010 and renamed the company Rhoades Car International. The change marked a leadership and naming transition while retaining the established product identity. On October 1, 2015, ownership changed again and the company became part of Mobile Specialty Group, Inc. The next documented ownership transition occurred in January 2020, when Par Bikes, LLC purchased Rhoades Car's assets. Par Bikes also acquired VierBike, whose products used a similar four-wheel bicycle concept with a more luxurious design orientation. The available reference material continues to describe Rhoades Car as a quadracycle manufacturer with a current product line, but it does not provide enough information to establish the precise present-day corporate structure, production volumes, sales channels, or geographic distribution beyond the United States.

• 2020

  Par Bikes acquires the company's assets

  [1]Rhoades Caren.wikipedia.org

  Par Bikes, LLC purchases Rhoades Car's assets and also acquires VierBike, a maker of a related four-wheel bicycle design.

• 2015

  Mobile Specialty Group ownership

  [1]Rhoades Caren.wikipedia.org

  On October 1, ownership changes and Rhoades Car becomes part of Mobile Specialty Group, Inc.

• 2010

  Leadership passes to Bill Pomakoy

  [1]Rhoades Caren.wikipedia.org

  Bill Pomakoy becomes president and changes the company name to Rhoades Car International.

• 2009

  Founder David Rhoades dies

  [1]Rhoades Caren.wikipedia.org

  David Rhoades dies from heart disease in late 2009 after serving as the company's president.

• 1991

  Rhoades Car is founded

  [1]Rhoades Caren.wikipedia.org

  David Rhoades establishes Rhoades Car in the United States, beginning the company's specialization in four-wheel bicycles and quadracycles.

A practical American quadracycle specialist positioned between bicycles and low-speed utility or passenger vehicles, emphasizing four-wheel stability, independent pedaling, passenger capacity, cargo utility, and optional electric assistance.

• Single-seat quadracycle

  4W1P

  The 4W1P is a single-seat four-wheel bicycle in Rhoades Car's standard pedal-powered range. It represents the brand's compact personal format, using the company's welded steel-tube construction and bicycle-style gearing.

• Two-seat quadracycle

  4W2PCP Coupe

  The 4W2PCP Coupe is a two-person side-by-side quadracycle. Its seating arrangement allows two riders to occupy the vehicle together, while independent pedaling lets each occupant contribute separately to propulsion.

• Cargo quadracycle

  4W2PLF

  The 4W2PLF is a two-seat long-frame model with an extended cargo area. It adapts the passenger quadracycle format for users who need additional carrying capacity alongside seating for two riders.

• Four-seat quadracycle

  4W4P

  The 4W4P is a four-seat pedal-powered quadracycle intended for group riding or passenger transport. Like other multi-seat Rhoades Car models, it supports independent pedaling by occupants.

• Single-seat electric-assist quadracycle

  e-one SportPed

  The e-one SportPed is the single-occupant electric-assist model in the SportPed family. It extends the standard quadracycle concept with powered assistance while retaining the four-wheel format.

• Two-seat electric-assist quadracycle

  e-two SportPed

  The e-two SportPed is a two-person electric-assist quadracycle. It is designed for shared riding and combines the company's multi-seat layout with motor assistance.

• Four-seat electric-assist quadracycle

  e-four SportPed

  The e-four SportPed is the four-occupant electric-assist member of the SportPed line. It applies powered assistance to Rhoades Car's largest passenger configuration.

• Industrial quadracycle

  Go-Boy

  Go-Boy models are Rhoades Car quadracycles intended for industrial use. They extend the platform beyond recreation and passenger riding toward practical workplace and utility applications.

• Solar-oriented passenger quadracycle

  Rhoades Solaride

  Rhoades Solaride models are offered in two-person and four-person configurations. The line is associated with solar-oriented transportation and uses the brand's passenger quadracycle format.

• Single-seat comfort quadracycle

  Rhoades ComfortRide

  The Rhoades ComfortRide is a one-person quadracycle fitted with a 20-inch-wide seat. Its defining emphasis is a broader seating arrangement within the four-wheel bicycle platform.

• 2020

  Sell company assets to Par BikesM&A

  Background

  Rhoades Car underwent another ownership transition after its period with Mobile Specialty Group.

  Action taken

  Par Bikes, LLC purchased the company's assets and also acquired VierBike.

  Aftermath

  Par Bikes gained control of the Rhoades Car assets and a related four-wheel bicycle business, although the available reference does not detail subsequent integration or operating changes.

  Source

• 2015

  Join Mobile Specialty GroupM&A

  Background

  Ownership changed on October 1, 2015.

  Action taken

  Rhoades Car became part of Mobile Specialty Group, Inc.

  Aftermath

  The brand continued as a quadracycle business under the new ownership affiliation.

  Source

• 2010

  Rename the company Rhoades Car InternationalStrategy

  Background

  After founder and president David Rhoades died in late 2009, Bill Pomakoy took over as president.

  Action taken

  The company adopted the name Rhoades Car International while continuing its quadracycle business.

  Aftermath

  The renamed company retained the Rhoades Car product identity and its focus on four-wheel bicycles.

  Source

1. 1Rhoades Caren.wikipedia.org