State of the industry: a running thread

[N-plus-one]

@Sir Neil d'Menture yes, crazy isn't it, their logic is that their bikes should only be worked on by Giant dealers, which i sort of get as it means their brand is sold through one dealer network and then ideally it drives the maintenance back to the dealer network, which means that dealer network should be able to rely on on going income on that brand. but that's not how the world works, sometimes people have a favourite mechanic but they happen to like a brand that isn't by the shop that mechanic works in so they buy the bike they want then get it service by their preferred mechanic, it shouldn't void warranty at all, Giant would say they are trying to protect their brand and their dealer network but frankly it's just BS

It's a business model which embraces anti-competitive practise at its heart. Apple computers is very similar: approved dealers only and OEM parts only. It wouldnt be so annoying if Apple were prepared to maintain stocks for elderly devices, but they choose not to. Keeps the income revenue!

As a sweeping statement, responding to your other posts on this thread: The British malady seems to be that people know the cost of things, rather than their value.

Yes, I'm a Brit. No, I dont live in UK anymore!

 

[reindeer]

Meanwhile in Austria: The Signa founder was coerced by his shareholders to step back and hand over the business to a trustee. 10 billions in debt

 

[CassidyAce]

The Guardian's account of what's going on with the cycling industry right now. Many of the points are already mentioned on this thread but with some added material about government policy and the disappointing uptake of active travel.
https://www.theguardian.com/lifeand...has-the-uk-cycling-revolution-run-out-of-road

 

[Twozaskars]

Well done to the Guardian for bringing gender identification into it.

 

[synchronicity]

They really like to push the whole trans thing don't they? Propaganda really.

 

[CassidyAce]

I wouldn't get too hung up on the much maligned trans community. The writer did express the point clumsily but the broader point that widening participation in cycling could help the bike industry weather the economic storms is not unreasonable. It's pretty obvious really.

 

[legrandefromage]

meanwhile:

https://road.cc/content/news/redundancies-british-cycling-amid-declining-membership-304709
older but significant

https://www.cyclingnews.com/news/sp...rce-in-a-shift-for-the-future-transformation/

 

[geddy1972]

meanwhile:

https://road.cc/content/news/redundancies-british-cycling-amid-declining-membership-304709
older but significant

https://www.cyclingnews.com/news/sp...rce-in-a-shift-for-the-future-transformation/

wow !

 

[geddy1972]

wonder who is next ?

will there be any bike companies left by the end of next year ?

 

[al-onestare]

wonder who is next ?

will there be any bike companies left by the end of next year ?

I think you'll see more of two things:

1. More PE invested or grouped portfolios where brands are owned by 1 entity. See Cervélo.
2. The existing "mega" corps will continue. Trek, Ritchey, Specialized, they are too big to crumble unless there's been some serious mismanagement we're not aware of.