Uk bike market analysis.

[andy_wrx]

http://colinsbikingbits.blogspot.com/2007/10/leicesters-lost-cycle-industry.html

????

 

[palinurus]

Brompton

I'm not tryna guess the historic east midlands brand here, Just adding a UK manufacturer

 

[Hilldodger]

There were many more than two manufacturers in Leicester by 1885. One of them was Henry Curry - later to sell electrical goods.

Parr and Hamshaw began making Boneshakers in 1868 - one of the UK's very first bicycle companies.

Buit it's neither of those.

 

[gbb]

No surprise really.
We cannot compete with the cheap imports from the Far East, so you have to specialise and offer quality.
UK manufacturers offer qualiity...sadly most people arent interested in quality, they want a cheap alternatives.

 

[Abitrary]

No surprise really.
We cannot compete with the cheap imports from the Far East, so you have to specialise and offer quality.
UK manufacturers offer qualiity...sadly most people arent interested in quality, they want a cheap alternatives.

I guess it's like disposable razors versus proper cut-throat ones.

Not Gillette Mach 3 ones, because a box of 10 cost more than some bikes at Halfords, more like the ones that come in a plastic bag and take half of your dermis off when you least expect it, and probably on a day when you need your facial skin the most... an interview or something.

I suppose electric razors are like those new electric bikes

 

[Noodley]

UK manufacturers offer qualiity...sadly most people arent interested in quality, they want a cheap alternatives.

Quality and price are not necessarily related. Where does this "Britain does quality, foreign stuff is cheap rubbish" idea come from? It's bollocks.

 

[Fab Foodie]

Quality and price are not necessarily related. Where does this "Britain does quality, foreign stuff is cheap rubbish" idea come from? It's bollocks.

Agree
I'm 100% British and everybody knows I'm cheap

 

[Abitrary]

I thought most bikes, or at least frames, for the last, I don't know how many years, have been made by Giant, whoever they are

I've got a good feeling about the British bike industry, however, spurred on by my limited knowledge of the Dutch bike industry....

I reckon eccentrics worldwide will soon want a proper steel bike with weird lugging now that we have finally reached the fuel emmission tipping point thing. Everybody wants to look good, don't they?

 

[Aperitif]

Don't know about looking good abitrary...or Giant - but I know Prince Charles is in favour of a 'Monstrous carbon cool...' - or a fitting 'by appointment'...

 

[Abitrary]

I don't know what that means but I really reckon that there will be a resurgence in the artisan Bob Jackson, Mercian thing etc... and people will eventually only buy British bikes because we invented the Penny Farthing.

And the Dutch will seeth. They will seeth.

 

[gbb]

Quality and price are not necessarily related. Where does this "Britain does quality, foreign stuff is cheap rubbish" idea come from? It's bollocks.

Ok, lets start again


Look at it this way...you can buy a £70 cheap import from the far east....thats what theyre good at...cheap labour, cheap materials.

Of course there are quality Far East manufactured bikes...but there arent any cheap, crap quality £70 MTBs made in the UK.

Most of those import bikes mentioned will be the £70 to £120 ish cheap crap bikes that most people unfortunately want.
Can you name a single british manufacturer that builds similar bikes of similar quality for that money....i dont think so.

I dont neccessarily mean we produce TOP quality, just better quality than the tacky crap £70 bikes that come from the Far East.

Or look at it this way...name me an absolutely crap British cycle manufacturer.....cos i could fill this forum with crap Far Eastern manufacturers.

Its not a swipe at them...just a fact. They fulfill a need,thats reflected in the sales (unfortunately).

 

[walker]

Is Sunday not built in the UK?