Buying a bike from an obscure company

[grellboy]

Would you buy a bike from an obscure company? Found a lovely looking bike with a great price tag earlier but the makers (Roux) are very obscure. They have a website but I could find very few reviews for this particular model anywhere - to the point where my earlier post this morning (Roux bikes?), garnered two replies, both confirming the bike's obscurity. So, who has bought a bike in a similar set of circumstances? A bike that isn't one you will see under every other rider? And were you pleasantly surprised or felt like you had made a silly mistake?

 

[Crankarm]

Caveat emptor.

 

[DCLane]

Don't necessarily leave them because they're not as well known.

I ride a Principia as a commuter - and also have one as a time trial bike. Am I likely to see another? It's highly unlikely as they're an obscure Danish manufacturer. My only concern is that some bits used were bespoke and may be difficult to find (forks particularly).

They look good value for what you are buying and steel frames are making a comeback (Genesis bikes for example). They're using mainstream parts and I'd presume a sourced frame so there shouldn't be issues there.

 

[Salad Dodger]

Caveat emptor.

I ordered one of those Emptor bikes from Caveat, but it was no good.

Anyone ordering one should beware!

 

[MichaelW2]

Roux seem to be OK but built to a price. In the touring bikes, for example, the frames are butted chromoly in the main triangle but the forks seem to be a lower grade. High Carbon ferrous alloy sounds a bit like Hi Tensile steel!
Given that the parts come out of the same factories as everyone else's bikes, I don't think there is any particular worry about overall quality, but how is their paintwork, what grade are the hidden components such as bottom bracket and headset, hubs.

 

[S-Express]

Given that the parts come out of the same factories as everyone else's bikes, I don't think there is any particular worry about overall quality, but how is their paintwork, what grade are the hidden components such as bottom bracket and headset, hubs.

Hubs, headset, BBs, etc come out of the same factories as all the others, as you say. Paintwork will depend on what the buyer (ie Roux in this case) has specified on its order from the factory.

 

[vickster]

Ride it and see. I don't think they are especially obscure. I have two Pearsons, I do see some around here probably because they have two shops, one a mile away, one ten miles away. But I reckon they'd be deemed obscure outside the M25 by those who ride mainstream brands (the business has been trading since 1860)

Dare to be different

 

[freiston]

I wouldn't call Roux obscure - the etape 250 was on my shortlist when I bought my Jamis. Spa Cycles sell them too - and I can't imagine them selling a 'bad' bike.

 

[Smokin Joe]

"Obscure" is cool. Sets you aside from the heard and makes you look like a guy who knows his stuff. Same as using a Campag rear wheel and a Shimano front.

Go for it.

 

[Venod]

Spa Cycles sell them too - and I can't imagine them selling a 'bad' bike.

Good call, Spa get a lot of stick about their grumpy service, but they are well clued up on bikes and components.

 

[mattobrien]

I have a Scapin, yet to meet another owner. It is both a beautiful and amazing bike. It will shortly be joined by a Cipollini, again not run if the mill.

 

[vickster]

I can sort of see where the OP is coming from

He did start this after all with that poll

https://www.cyclechat.net/threads/what-is-the-coolest-bike-brand.207983/post-4505290

Perhaps if wanting steel but mainstream look at Genesis. I do love my equilibrium, just ridden it today for the first time in too long

I do see a few riders on the brand but rarely the same gorgeous burnt orange

Here she is right now

 

[mikeymustard]

"ROUX is a visionary design for modern cycling with a DNA of innovation & style" so they've gotta be good innit?

It says on the website they're wholly owned by http://www.2x2worldwide.com/
who also do (license? Distribute?) Land Rover and Bickerton

 

[Deleted member 1258]

Ride it and see. I don't think they are especially obscure. I have two Pearsons, I do see some around here probably because they have two shops, one a mile away, one ten miles away. But I reckon they'd be deemed obscure outside the M25 by those who ride mainstream brands (the business has been trading since 1860)

Dare to be different

I rode a Touche for about 7 years, and about 20-25000 miles, lovely bike, I replaced it with a Genesis Flyer, another lovely bike.

 

[vickster]

I rode a Touche for about 7 years, and about 20-25000 miles, lovely bike, I replaced it with a Genesis Flyer, another lovely bike.

Bet you never saw many others? I think I've seen another pave maybe 5 times in 5 years! @gbs of this parish has one I believe, don't know of another on CC