cycle republic RIP?

[johnr]

Was doing battle with the hordes in York yesterday and taking a breather in the doorway of a closed shop. Saw the stickers for cycle stuff in the window, so looker more closely.

It was Cycle Republic - the Halfrauds front they were expecting to take over the world. Have they all closed down?

Viva the LBS

 

[ianrauk]

I don't think Halfords trying to be 'clever' worked very well did it?

 

[Norm]

I'd never heard of them but a quick search here turned up the missing information.

 

[Hilldodger]

From BikeBiz

Halfords ditches Bikehut and Cycle Republic brands

Jonathon Harker Apr 16 2009, 10:09am

Pilot schemes culled due to success of superstores and online

Halfords owned Bikehut and Cycle Republic brands will be dropped, the retailer announced today.

In its pre-close statement, Halfords said that the stores are not delivering sufficient financial return and that the increasing success of online sales – particularly for accessories – combined with the success of its superstores has impacted on Bikehut and Cycle Republic stores.

The wider bike ranges available in Bikehut and Cycle Republic will be incorporated into Halfords superstores, while the stores themselves will be rebranded, where appropriate, to Halfords Metro outlets.

The stand-alone bicycle stores will be rebranded at a cost of £1.5 million.

The news follows Halfords announcement that it sold over a million bicycles in the last financial year – more than a third of every cycle sold in the UK last year, according to the firm.

 

[jefmcg]

As Halfords has resurrected Cycle Republic, I think it's fitting to resurrect this thread.

I was unaware of the brand before, but one of the two Twickenham Halfords has become a cycle republic, and it's currently full of staff asking "Do you need any help?" - 3 different times in a couple of minutes.

Looks quite nice, and lots of road bikes in unfamiliar brands. Bet they still don't allow test rides

 

[Pale Rider]

As Halfords has resurrected Cycle Republic, I think it's fitting to resurrect this thread.

I was unaware of the brand before, but one of the two Twickenham Halfords has become a cycle republic, and it's currently full of staff asking "Do you need any help?" - 3 different times in a couple of minutes.

Looks quite nice, and lots of road bikes in unfamiliar brands. Bet they still don't allow test rides

View attachment 84893

The bike department in my local Halfords recently moved from the mezzanine to the ground floor where it has a larger floor area.

An assistant told me a lot of other branches are doing the same.

 

[shouldbeinbed]

Yes, my local Halfords has had a major revamp and increased its bike floor space quite significantly. Its nowhere near as bright and airy as the above pic but a distinct improvement on previously. maybe a hint that the pendulum is finally swinging enough towards cycling that the big boys are getting interested.

 

[Mark Grant]

[QUOTE="jefmcg, post: 3630543, member: 14860"looks quite nice, and lots of road bikes in unfamiliar brands. Bet they still don't allow test rides

I was looking in Twickenham Cycle Republic the other day, and from chatting to the assistant I understand that they now offer test rides. 1p on a credit card and away you go.

 

[Dan B]

The news follows Halfords announcement that it sold over a million bicycles in the last financial year – more than a third of every cycle sold in the UK last year, according to the firm.

Do you think that's the front wheel, the back wheel or the frameset?