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Rex Trimnell, founder and chief designer at X-Lite of Poole, died on Friday, aged 60.
Trimnell founded X-Lite in 1991 and made a name for himself designing lightweight but tough components such as seatposts and CNC-machined ‘eye candy’ MTB components. His meaty suspension forks and prototype full-suspension MTB frame were both ahead of their time.
A motorbike racer in the 1960s, Rex Trimnell built his own motorbikes and raced them at national and international levels.
"Bicycle design came naturally to Rex, and with a talent for designing simple and effective products, matched with the latest advances in materials, has helped to create some of the lightest and most advanced products in the world today," says X-Lite.com.
The company he founded now employs 11 people, is shortly to move to new, bigger premises in Poole and as well as ‘eye candy’ is now just as famous for its pink cleaning fluid, Muc Off.
Rex Trimnell is survived by his wife, Marilyn and their children, Alex and Emma.
Alex Trimnell said:
"It’s difficult to comprehend what’s happened. It’s all happened so quickly. There’s still a lot to fight for, lots to carry on for. We’ll be moving forward in his memory."
Alex had been working in tandem with his father for 18 months, being groomed to take over the business completely.
"My mum and dad have been involved in lots of businesses over the years. Just when they were looking to get away and leave to do other things, this happens. It’s so surreal."
Rex Trimnell’s funeral will be held 3.30pm Friday at Bournemouth Crematorium. The family has requested that no flowers be sent. Instead, donations can be made to DebRA UK, the charity working on behalf of people with the genetic skin blistering condition, Epidermolysis Bullosa.
http://www.debra.org.uk/help/idonate.htm
A book of condolences has been started here:
