Subaru getting into bicycle business

Subaru has decided to issue a 99-edition run of mountain bikes under its own corporate banner called the Subaru XB steel hardtail. If there's any automaker for which such a move fits, it is Subaru (has anyone even seen a Porsche or Mercedes mountain bike in the wild?). And it's not the first time a Japanese car concern has jumped into the bicycle biz: Bridgestone had a seriously good range of road and mountain bikes in the '80s and '90s. However, Subaru's effort will be outsourced, built-to-order, and expensive. The hardtail chromoly steel steeds will run you $3,880. For that price – even for a limited edition with decent kit – we aren't sure why anyone would opt for it over a fully-suspended Ellsworth or Ventana for the same money.

[Source: Bike Radar]