Joe Montgomery, founder of Cannondale, died January 2 at his home in Vero Beach, Florida. He was 86. Montgomery transformed the cycling industry by pioneering lightweight aluminum bicycle frames. His daughter, Lauren Edinger, confirmed the death was due to complications from a heart-related illness.

Montgomery founded Cannondale in 1971 with three partners. The company quickly became known for mass-producing high-end bicycles with aluminum frames. This innovation challenged the industry standard of heavier steel frames. In 1993, Montgomery told The New York Times that he was a "seat-of-the-pants engineer."

Cannondale's shift to aluminum significantly impacted the bicycle market. The company was among the first in the U.S. to embrace the technology. Montgomery often emphasized innovation, telling his team "Change is good. We like change," according to Murray Washburn, Cannondale's director of product marketing.

Cannondale, headquartered in Connecticut, became synonymous with high-performance cycling. The New York Times once dubbed Cannondale the "Lamborghini of mountain bikes." Details regarding memorial services are pending.