Our Mission
DRAG has been actively campaigning to increase the number of cyclists in Bulgaria and raise awareness about issues that affect cyclists since its inception in 2000.
Both we and Bulgarian cycling have come a long way since we organised the first annual children’s event in Sofia’s South Park on September 22nd 2002, European Mobility Week, and the accompanying rally of bike fans around the centre of Sofia. We also support and participate in almost every other bike-related initiative, provided its organisers are socially responsible and their aims transparent. We aim to improve conditions for cyclists in Bulgaria and to increase the number of people using bikes for leisure or transportation not only because this gives us the chance to sell more bikes but because we know that cycling brings untold benefits not only in terms of reducing the individual’s carbon footprint but also in terms of the health and happiness benefits.
To name but a few of the bike-related initiatives we have organised or supported in recent years: Factor Foundation’s 30,000 km ride around the Mediterranean to raise awareness about ecological issues in the Med building the Skill bike park in Bansko for use by local children co-organising and sponsoring the annual 100 km Tour of Vitosha, the largest amateur bike race in the country sponsoring the Bulgarian National Television campaign to make pedestrian crossings more visible and to teach children road awareness.
We also encourage our own employees to lead a socially responsible lifestyle, rewarding those who travel to work by bike, for example, or organising team building exercises to plant trees on Vitosha mountain.
How it started
How it's going
1989
Bicycle repairs and sale of parts in a garage owned by CEO Dragomir Kouzov at the dawn of democracy in Bulgaria
1998
The first two models of DRAG bicycles are launched: DRAG Ontario and DRAG Grizzly, both of which came to enjoy international popularity.
2000
The first production of bikes started. A team of bike enthusiasts and mechanics gathers in a workshop to make the first models. 8 hardtails and one exclusive DH bicycle. A total of 540 bikes are produced and released to the market.
2001
The first production sell surprisingly fast and the team gathers to develop more models. In 2001 DRAG already has 18 models including the popular today high quality junior bikes.
2002
The lineup continues to grow. The first road racing bike is produced - DRAG Xenon.
2003
The DRAG team makes a bold move with a bike named Climber. Aggressive hardtail, low seat tube, thick tires - perfect for extreme mountain biking. 17 years later it is one of the most popular models of the brand (now called C1) and has been a "first bike" for generation of mountain bikers.
2004
The company is honored by a personal visit of the 4th President of the Giants – SHIMANO – Mr. Yoshizo Shimano at DRAG's booth, IFMA (the international bike fair) in Cologne, Germany.
2004
Ivailo Gabrovski - the most titled Bulgarian rider, multiple winner of Tour of Bulgaria and other international events is riding on DRAG Izoard – the lightest bike manufactured in Bulgaria.
2007
The legend Eddy Mercks opens the flagship cycle store in Sofia under the DRAGZONE brand.
2008
The Ukrainian national women’s track team – Svetlana Galyuk, Lesya Kalitovska and Lyubov Shulika – wins bronze in the team pursuit at the Melbourne World Cup with DRAG Bluebird.
2009
For the first time DRAG Bicycles participate at the world’s largest bike fair, Eurobike in Friedrichshafen, Germany, stylish booth and fascinating new models.
2012
Ukrainian national team ride DRAG Bluebird in the track events at London 2012 Olympics. Lithuanian national team start riding DRAG Bluebird for road and track events. Bulgaria’s best track cyclist, Miroslav Minchev, moves over to DRAG Bluebird.
2013
Hannah Solovey wins gold at the European Road Cycling Championships. Miroslav Minchev breaks BG track record with DRAG Bluebird. Olena Demydova wins Bronze at the World Road Racing Championships. Svajunas Jonauskas – world track champion with DRAG Bluebird. DRAG opens its first bike store abroad – DragZone Bucharest. Korean national team starts racing with DRAG Bluebird
2014
DRAG Bicycles becomes official supplier of UEC. Ivo Oliveira, Portugal – World and European track champion for season 2014. DRAG Bicycles revives the classic Vitosha Uphill road race. First Bulgarian fatbike DRAG Tundra is launched. Korean Hiyejin Lee wins silver in Women’s Sprint with DRAG Bluebird at the Asian Games.
2015
Martigues SC DRAG Bicycles (pictured) is the new name of the French Martigues road racing team with an 80 year history. DRAG Bicycles becomes official sponsor of Coupe de France road cycling cup and official partner of the French ACCDN-ROCC Tour. Korean Huyjin Lee wins Team Sprint, women at the 35th Elite Asian Track Championships.
2016
DRAG Bicycles is official sponsor of Coupe de France road cycling cup for a second year – Division 2 and 3 and Women’s division. DRAG Bicycles continues its successful partnership with UEC (European Cycling Union) as official bicycle supplier.
2021
Celerra at Paris Roubaix Juniors Mihajlo Stolić (Biciklisticki Klub “S Team”) took part at the Paris Roubaix Juniors 2021 onboard his DRAG Celerra. The Serbian rode a section of the famous Paris-Roubaix, getting to feel the true meaning of the phrase ′′Hell of the north′′ accompanied by strong rain and wind.
2022
Team Vorarlberg to ride on custom made DRAG Bicycles! One of the most successful Austrian teams (UCI Continental) founded in 1999 by the twin brothers Thomas and Johannes Kofler.
2023
DRAG Bicycles is included in the January issue of Cycling Industry News magazine about Bulgaria's manufacturing rise in the bicycle industry.
2024
DRAG Sterrato Mho X30 – Electric Gravel Bike with Integrated Battery: The New Standard in Lightweight eBike Systems
