State of the industry: a running thread

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But if jonnyboy666's rep is to be believed, they will still need the dealer network. Mike Ashley doesn't need a dealer network: he has Evans Cycles.
ok, more from the rep,

and i quote:-

I will let you know when I can but it everything works out we should be fine and defo still need the dealer network on board.
If the rep is to be believed...
 
Just to clarify - me throwing Mike Ashley out there is nothing more than a flippant comment. I have no basis for it nor info.
 
Johnnyboi I do feel sorry for you so don't take offence at my criticiam of orange as i know you are personally invested. I hope uou amd all LBS survive. Things like this just push more and mpre for it to eb repair and service focussed.

But back to orange, they have so many models. They'd be much better off going down the whyte line and streamlining. Also models such as the RX9 (?) Gravel bike. When there is only 1 it looks like you are cashing in rather than any great desire to hit the market. Unless I'm missing something?

As to acquisitions, I hope someone buys them out, or management buy out. Like with CRC and stanton, it might "just" be a financing issue in corporate debt. Hopefully that cen be written off and start afresh.

Someone mentioned saracen, and I think they are a great example of how to do models these days. Or someone like privateer.. a trail bike, an enduro bike, perhaps a sedate hardtail and a more extreme one. Keep it simple. Like sondor do, or many other smaller brands
 
Just seen the range of £1000 kids bikes they sell. That's a niche market in a cost of living crisis, especially with what crc are kicking out due to their own administration
 
well regards Orange's line up, it has been streamlined over the years

examples, from 10 colour options to 6, 27.5 full suspension, 3 sizes, 2 models, that's 6 frames, same with 29er, although they introduced the linkage bikes which basically doubles the amount of frames made, there is a part of me that says if you think the new design is better you should drop the old design, running both might not be ideal but there will aleays be people who want the single pivot, i realise most think it's old school but with modern shock technology it works fine and is the most reliable system on the market.

rx9 is one frame/fork with about 6 models due to different specs, speedwork is a slightly different frame, and frankly should be more different as it needs a longer top tube. the kids bikes they run for 2 to 3 seasons and although i don't stock them they do sell in the bigger dealers. the e bikes have generally been well recieved, i have sold 3, bearing in mind they start at £7000!

the thing i dread is someone buying the name and sticking it on a BSO.

and yes during covid they did struggle, they sold hardtails and gravel, but covid buyers were not orange 5 buyers etc the limit on a covid buyer was 1500 to 2000 in real terms unless it was electric. so they got rid of all the hardtails etc and then had nothing to sell so they struggled, then by the time they got bikes the market had dropped off.

a perfect storm of a nightmare for them.
 
Agree with others, I'm sure they still produce fantastic bikes, but Orange feels like a nostalgia brand nowadays, and a pretty niche one at that. I was looking at the factory seconds Clockwork on their website. It's very average looking for the price, and similar bikes are available at closer to £500 new rather than £800 in today's market.
 
Pinched from jb666:

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That's an important step. It'll likely boil down to funding...and securing that will be no easy feat given the current market.
 
Kona USA just announced 30% off Big Honzo, Lava Dome, El Kahuna SUV, Rove HD and others. Offer ends the end of Jan. That's after the BOGOF as well. In a very scientific study (!) of my social media feeds, the pink Process X has sold well, along with the Honzo's.
 
Kona USA just announced 30% off Big Honzo, Lava Dome, El Kahuna SUV, Rove HD and others. Offer ends the end of Jan. That's after the BOGOF as well. In a very scientific study (!) of my social media feeds, the pink Process X has sold well, along with the Honzo's.

Kona have so many bikes, they have loads of over lap as well. And they've been left behind for years really, and I love the brand. But the Process and Honzo were ground breaking big wheelers and have hardly kept up until recently.

That said, I'd love a Unit

But from a business perspective their issue must surely just be so much stock.
 
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