Covid was different though, because the sugar rush frenzy experienced by the outdoor industry fooled may into thinking it was the new normal, instead of the peak of a boom.
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Covid was different though, because the sugar rush frenzy experienced by the outdoor industry fooled may into thinking it was the new normal, instead of the peak of a boom.
Ya but I think its ^^ more than just outdoor stuff beign affected ?
a lot of money got spent on computers and data pre Y2K to make them compliant but I think it was the disruption of bringing the world to a halt that made 2000 a shitty year for the computer indsutry
YOUR FAVORITE BIKE COMPANY IS STRUGGLING
https://cyclingindependent.com/your-...is-struggling/
Nothing happened with y2k though. Nothing stopped.Quote:
Originally Posted by XXX-er
There was the web bubble starting to burst. That certainly fucked things up a bit in tech.
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what i don't fully understand is the breadth of the kool aid drinking. how are so many companies getting caught with their dicks out?Quote:
Originally Posted by MarsB
That’s a classic bubble mentality.
Even if you recognize you’re in a bubble, you’ll still try to make as much money as you can while you can.
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This is not the Bitcoin thread is it?
But even if you are a smaller company and played it safe, you still need to sell your bikes - and now you are competing against these big companies that made bad choices and are having fire sales on everything, and the customers are looking for deals...Quote:
Originally Posted by stealurface831
Or as a small company you only want 5k frames but then get told the minimum order from your frame builder in Taiwan is 10k frames.Quote:
Originally Posted by stealurface831
Lots of this. Even if you played it right, many didn't. Bikes have been on 20-40% discount for like 16 months now.Quote:
Originally Posted by sfotex
It went all the way up and down the line. Companies were told by manufacturers that they had to order 5 x (or whatever figure) to insure that they could even get 1X. Retailers were told by companies that they had to order 10 x just to get 5x, and so on. Retailers were also being pressured to order more in order to compete with shipping breaks, financing breaks, etc, that the ‘company’ stores were ‘enjoying’.Quote:
Originally Posted by John_B
The companies and retailers got cocky, and stopped taking care of lifelong customers, because there were just no bikes, and 10x as many new customers in line.
Some retailers basically stopped even answering phone calls and messages.
Pro forms/pro deals were shut down, due to availability and demand.
A lot of ill will was created that still hasn’t totally come back, precisely when the small shops are struggling more than ever. There is more than a little schadenfrued to go around, but it’s actually kind of depressing.
I'm still riding a voodoo hardtail I got there in like 1999. I've toured on it, commuted on it, and even ridden some trails. It's worked out pretty good for $599 (I think that's about what I paid for it)Quote:
Originally Posted by MarsB
I really like this dude’s take on what would serve the majority of bike riders (ie, not ‘cyclists’, or nerds like us).
https://www.wpr.org/news/lake-mills-...pular-opinions
I love cab. Hopefully the reef is firing!Quote:
Originally Posted by Shredhead
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From a few up. I actually thought local bike shops treated me better during covid. They were happy to spend the time and look through some jank for a little doohickey. I'm guessing some of them embraced shop repairs and customer service vs buzz off you cheap beater
During the summer of ‘20 and ‘21 here, shops wouldn’t do much of anything without a service appointment, and they were 3-6 weeks out. Even longer if they couldn’t get parts.
Thanks for this.Quote:
Originally Posted by rideit
I’m trying to hit a sweet spot between this guy’s shop and store descriptions. I enjoyed his perspective.
I like nice bikes and high performance stuff, but generally get more satisfaction from setting people up with bikes so they can reliably get to work or just cruise around town instead of driving or walking.
Exposing people to what a bicycle can provide in terms of physical/mental health and experiencing our surroundings and community is incredibly satisfying.
Riding through neighborhoods and smelling dinners cooking and spring flowers blooming in some good shit.
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^^^Damn straight.^^^
I was only in your shop for a few minutes last year, but I caught some of that vibe right away.
Props!Quote:
Originally Posted by joetron
Joetron, what is your shop? I'm up in Ogden, but will be likely losing my LBS at the end of the year. PM me if you prefer.
I took the reigns at Durango Cyclery 4 years ago.
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Don't you mean handlebars?
Made me lol at the coffee shop. Solid.Quote:
Originally Posted by stuckathuntermtn
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Stuckie made a funny.
Joetron is a solid mag. Picked up a MTB from him a few years back and he gave a solid deal and tuned it prior to pickup.
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The Radivist is reporting that Kona was purchased back from the original owners. I hope Kent Outdoors took a bath on that deal!
https://theradavist.com/kona-founder...kent-outdoors/
Fuck yes.Quote:
Originally Posted by Peruvian
I was just speculating about this last week. Those guys have such a deep connection to the brand, I doubt they could let it dissolve into PE purgatory, get sold and emerge as some shitty department store brand.
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That's awesome!
The brand was never going to disappear - someone would have bought it in bankruptcy… glad it’s the founds and not becoming some budget department store brand…
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Gotta admit, it’s admirable and ballsy to do this in this industry climate. Kudos.
Yeah, they must have plenty of money and figure they can ride out this down cycle. Could prove to be a good time to rebuild and get their shit together.Quote:
Originally Posted by rideit
That's awesome. Hopefully they can figure out how to right the ship. Seems like kona was struggling under the last few years of their (previous) ownership, and then really took a nose dive under Kent. I'd like to think that the only direction to go is up. If they can get back to their core business model of offering solid, simple bikes at reasonable prices, they'll be fine.
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They have an excuse to hunker down / tighten the belt….
I wonder if they go 100% DTC.
They have always been indy shop focused… it’d be cool for them to not stray from that….
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The statement from the guys who bought it back said they are "pausing" all direct to consumer sales and commented on how much they appreciate their dealers.Quote:
Originally Posted by nickwm21
I'd like to see them focus on things other than the crowded (and expensive to develop) full suspension market - - steel bikes, hardtails, fun weird touring / gravel / cross bikes, commuter bikes. Basically Surly but do it with better parts spec, better geometry, and lower price.
So much heritage there. Doing re-issues on some of the OG models or retro paint to reinstill the brand seems like a no brainer. Sign me up for a stars and bars a'ha + a modernized Chute with the 1999 paint job :DQuote:
Originally Posted by El Chupacabra
I think there are a lot of people that got into big bikes via Kona circa here:
https://issuu.com/wastedqba/docs/2k5_catalog
So… Salsa.Quote:
Originally Posted by El Chupacabra
Thinking out of the box - it’d be awesome if they went all Ti. Classic model names, classic graphics, modern geo and bits, all Ti. No FS; just road, gravel, commuting, and hardtails.
There’s not really a Ti option other than smaller / custom companies….
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Speaking of Ti, Lynskey has been having a fire sell the last few months. Road and gravel frames - all sizes for $850.. Hope things are ok over there...Quote:
Originally Posted by nickwm21
Sick. Coincidentally yesterday I pulled my old Unit 26" off the wall for the first time in a couple of years, gave a quick tune up and hit a few trail laps on the old girl. Viva Kona!
Pretty sure Lynskey was building Kona's Ti frames. The convergence looks good