Our story, our roots.
We have summarized the origins and development of the CRATONI brand as a few milestones. Ready for a little time travel?
Racing at the limit and a responsible approach to risk were already ingrained in the DNA of the future CRATONI brand in the person of its founder Guenter Krauter in the 1970s. In 1976, at the age of 19, Guenter Krauter turned his passion into his profession. After making a reputation for himself in motorcycle racing as a teenager, he opened a motorbike shop in his parents’ garage together with his brother. A short time later, the Krauter brothers took over the distribution of Kawasaki’s motocross division.
At the beginning of the 80s, Guenter Krauter switches to bicycles – personally and in business.
1985: The brand name CRATONI is born and initially stands for high-end sports bikes. This is followed by the development of functional clothing and finally bicycle helmets.
With the first bicycle helmets, a completely new and rapidly growing market develops at the end of the 80s. CRATONI decides to concentrate on this product area. A short time later, sports eyewear also complements the CRATONI range.
As early as the mid-90s, CRATONI, as a pioneer of the so-called Unisize concept, introduced the first adjustment systems with a turning wheel under the name QUICK TURN.
With the super-light and top-ventilated ZXR models, CRATONI quickly establishes itself in the cycling scene. The first time trial helmets are developed for the fight against the clock and for triathlon.
Frenchman Nicolas Voullioz dominates the downhill world with CRATONI. He becomes the brand’s first important testimonial and is the basis for its expertise in full-face helmets.
The CRATONI Scorpion in motocross look shapes the design of MTB helmets for the next decade.
The CRATONI Maniac is ahead of its time with outstanding ventilation values. CRATONI has been present at almost all grassroots events in the bike scene since the mid-90s.
The CRATONI Tremor becomes the helmet of the fastest – on the road and off. Gunn-Rita Dahle becomes World Champion XC 2002 with the Tremor.
Already in 2001 and 2002 CRATONI is voted the most popular German helmet brand among mountain bikers (Bike Survey 2001 and MountainBike Best Brand Survey 2002).
The brothers Lado and Manuel Fumic dominate the cross-country scene at the beginning of the new millennium. Lado Fumic becomes multiple German Champion with the CRATONI Ceron (2001 – 2005)
CRATONI successfully launches the first comprehensive collection of high-quality cycling shades. Our Challenger receives the test rating very good (BIKE 07/03) and is licensed as the official Giro d’Italia shade in 2005.
The Titan Pro will be the first helmet with an interface for electronic accessories such as action cams.
In 2008 Sabine Spitz rides with the super-light CRATONI Bullet to Olympic victory in X-Country.
With the construction of the new headquarter in Rudersberg, CRATONI is setting the course for the future. With visionary brand architecture and pioneering sustainability, research and development also come under a new roof, designed as a test track for MTBs.
The CRATONI C-Loom is awarded the Eurobike Award for it`s pure and progressive design.
The CRATONI Vigor is the world’s first cycling helmet that covers the complete range of single-track mobility. S-pedelec, e-bike or motorbike – the Vigor fulfils, in addition to the NTA 8776 for pedelecs, also the special standard for motorbike helmets, and that with an extremely low weight of only 710g. The Vigor thus wins the Eurobike Design Award.
With the Smartride, CRATONI launches brings a real gamechanger for commuters. The Smartride – the first helmet with Bluetooth connectivity and crash sensor. The integrated speakers are connected to the smartphone via an app and the rear light system features handlebar remote control units.
The Allset and Alltrack stand for the successful evolution of our allmountain range. Features such as the extended rear coverage, camera port, MX goggle guide and adjustable visor make the helmets multiple test winners of various bike magazines.
With the C-Maniac 2.0 MX, CRATONI brings you the lightest full-face helmet currently available that meets the ASTM bike park standard. Thanks to its removable chin bar with patented, tool-free fastening, the C-Maniac 2.0 MX is also extremely variable.
The MADROC represents the brand’s DNA like no other helmet – made for bikers who give everything for that special moment on the trail. With a removable chin bar, cam adapter and perfect goggle compatibility, the Madroc has proven its worth in the bike parks.
With a completely newly developed Eye Protection range, an impressive relaunch in the eyewear and goggle segment is achieved with pioneering premium technologies and visionary design.