
Franz Kneissl — World Champion
Taking one of Austria's most storied sports brands into the ebike market — a full range of Italian-manufactured models for ski dealerships, anchored by the carbon Bosch World Champion flagship.
Franz Kneissl III carries one of the most recognisable names in Austrian sports history. The Kneissl ski brand dates back to Franz Kneissl I's first handmade wooden ski in 1910, producing equipment for generations of world champions and Olympic medallists. Franz Kneissl III — himself a double offshore powerboat world champion in 1982 and 1983 — set out to bring the Kneissl name into the electric bike market, sold through the Austrian ski dealerships that already carry the Kneissl brand.
ZÆT identified Atala S.P.A. — part of the Accell Group — as the ideal Italian manufacturer to produce the range under the Kneissl branding. ZÆT managed the full process: manufacturer sourcing, model selection, graphic design and brand application, component specification, and supply chain coordination during a period of significant industry-wide component shortages.
The flagship World Champion model features a carbon frame, Bosch Performance Line CX motor, 750Wh battery, Shimano drivetrain, and hydraulic disc brakes — a product built to carry the Kneissl name without compromise.
The Kneissl ebike range launched through Austrian ski dealerships and via Fitstore24, with the World Champion carbon eMTB as the headline product. The range covers Mountain, Trekking, City, and Kids categories — all manufactured exclusively in Italy.
How ZÆT was involved
Define Direction
· Brand heritage analysis
· Market positioning
· Product range definition
· Distribution strategy
Build the Foundation
· Carbon frame specification
· Bosch Performance Line integration
· Shimano drivetrain specification
· Full range engineering
· Atala S.P.A. Italy manufacturer alignment
Execute and Launch
· Austrian dealer network activation
· Fitstore24 exclusive distribution partnership
· Graphic design: Kneissl branding
· Summer launch timing
· Component supply chain pre-ordering
The Result






