Sir Neil d'Menture
Retro Guru
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He won't take on the debt. He will leave that behind. Wiggle creditors will get diddly squat.
State of the industry: a running thread
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reindeer
Retro Guru
The man behind Signa is a corporate raider and property tycoon who is in financial troubles due to inflation, rising interest rates and construction costs.
The top management also changed several times in the last years and some of them had no idea about cycling and never worked for a bike company.
I used to buy parts like Stronglight chainrings in their french probikeshop, but is has become more and more like their other ones: Different domain and shop design, in the end all the same.
The top management also changed several times in the last years and some of them had no idea about cycling and never worked for a bike company.
I used to buy parts like Stronglight chainrings in their french probikeshop, but is has become more and more like their other ones: Different domain and shop design, in the end all the same.
2manyoranges
Old School Grand Master
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well…it’s going to be interesting from this point…global slowdown in the economy - definite collapse in sales after COVID since everyone who wanted a bike now has a bike and many who discovered cycling during pandemic have now got back in theor cars.
An interesting parallel: only around 2% of the uk population ski, but the skiing industry is in reasonable shape since it has worked out a match of supply and demand - small high quality manufacturers like Capita, and well established very knowledgeable plants such as Elan’s, which does the fabrication for many brands. It‘s an expensive sport, with a recognised season-based discounting pattern. But after some odd acquisitions and changes in ownership during the early 2000s, things seem to be a better shape than in cycling.
Like ELAN in skiing, Hope in cycling seem to be going well. MAVIC seems to have got its act together. BERGTEC seems in good shape. I like this. Good design and high quality. But I buy a Hope hub and it will most likely last longer than I will live. Which is a problem for HOPE. But fortunately I constantly build, so demand from me keeps up…
My view…the current problems as previous RBs have said, is that un knowledgable non cyclist management misjudged the market and so mismanaged their business, based on oversimplistic approach to growth.
…back to bikes…proviz usefully gives us:
According to the National Travel Survey at gov.uk, 47% of people in England aged 5 and over owned or had access to a bicycle in 2020. This demonstrates 5% increase compared to the 3-year average of 42% for 2017-19. This increase is evident across all age groups and was probably due to the changes in lifestyle necessitated by the coronavirus lockdown.
According to Cycling UK's Cycling Statistics, cycling usually only constitutes 1% of all traffic mileage (compared to 77% travelled in cars and taxis). However, during lockdown this doubled to 2% of all traffic mileage and the level of car and taxi usage dropped to 73%.
In other words…cycling is still TINY. As we begin to really understand climate change and how best to travel, it surely will grow. Travel for leisure will most likely be more local. But cycling will grow only if we confront the reality of the lifestyle changes we will HAVE to make.
An interesting parallel: only around 2% of the uk population ski, but the skiing industry is in reasonable shape since it has worked out a match of supply and demand - small high quality manufacturers like Capita, and well established very knowledgeable plants such as Elan’s, which does the fabrication for many brands. It‘s an expensive sport, with a recognised season-based discounting pattern. But after some odd acquisitions and changes in ownership during the early 2000s, things seem to be a better shape than in cycling.
Like ELAN in skiing, Hope in cycling seem to be going well. MAVIC seems to have got its act together. BERGTEC seems in good shape. I like this. Good design and high quality. But I buy a Hope hub and it will most likely last longer than I will live. Which is a problem for HOPE. But fortunately I constantly build, so demand from me keeps up…
My view…the current problems as previous RBs have said, is that un knowledgable non cyclist management misjudged the market and so mismanaged their business, based on oversimplistic approach to growth.
…back to bikes…proviz usefully gives us:
According to the National Travel Survey at gov.uk, 47% of people in England aged 5 and over owned or had access to a bicycle in 2020. This demonstrates 5% increase compared to the 3-year average of 42% for 2017-19. This increase is evident across all age groups and was probably due to the changes in lifestyle necessitated by the coronavirus lockdown.
According to Cycling UK's Cycling Statistics, cycling usually only constitutes 1% of all traffic mileage (compared to 77% travelled in cars and taxis). However, during lockdown this doubled to 2% of all traffic mileage and the level of car and taxi usage dropped to 73%.
In other words…cycling is still TINY. As we begin to really understand climate change and how best to travel, it surely will grow. Travel for leisure will most likely be more local. But cycling will grow only if we confront the reality of the lifestyle changes we will HAVE to make.
Joe_Rides
Senior Retro Guru
I really like Spa Cycles, and SJS too. But admittedly I occasionlly use(d) CRC for anything modern MTB related.
There are some good LBS' but not always suited to my requirements. I went into a bike shop a couple of years ago (Leisure lakes) wanting a 1&1/8th aheadset, and the lad behind the counter looked at me like I had 2 heads! Then dug out the lowest spec P.O.S headset I've ever seen.
There are some good LBS' but not always suited to my requirements. I went into a bike shop a couple of years ago (Leisure lakes) wanting a 1&1/8th aheadset, and the lad behind the counter looked at me like I had 2 heads! Then dug out the lowest spec P.O.S headset I've ever seen.
Twozaskars
Retro Guru
And lots of these bikes are now on eBay, fb etc, barely used, offering excellent value for money.
2manyoranges
Old School Grand Master
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indeed....now let's link that fact to the collapse of sales at Chain Reaction etc....
...oops they didn't see it coming and only thought 'permanent growth of cycling...'
Ashdavid09
Retro Newbie
I agree
I think the days of using an LBS for parts are numbered. This guy has some interesting thoughts on how bike shops could evolve.
unpaid billsMy LBS doesn't have any standard stuff like spokes and bearings. It's all accessories and high end stuff like £600 forks.
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