Halfords takeover Boardman bikes

[Dogtrousers]

Boardman, Hoy, Pendleton, English peeps who've turned (or attached) their names to bikes.

And before that Eddy Merckx, Freddie Grubb, Guerciotti, Jan Janssen.

Cavendish has is own products via Spesh, but what of Sir Bradley - will he ever go down this road ?

Any other notable names I have missed?

Lemond?

By the way, what's changed?
Before: Halfords have exclusive deal for Boardman brand, except for the Elite line. CB is chairman and design director. (and gets royalties)
After: Halfords have exclusive deal for Boardman brand, except for the Elite line. CB is chairman and design director. And a bit richer. (but doesn't get royalties)

Edited in line with GrumpyGregry's post above.

 

[Andrew_P]

What? You mean he didn't weld the frames or build the bikes up himself? Well I never.

Not sure anyone did think this? A company called Boardman Bikes Ltd selling bikes with C Boardman on it quite surprised me he was only a minor shareholder in the business and not even a director.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

Not sure anyone did think this? A company called Boardman Bikes Ltd selling bikes with C Boardman on it quite surprised me he was only a minor shareholder in the business and not even a director.

In charge of R&D with input into the design. That was pretty clear from the foundation of the company I think. iirc he's never been a director.

 

[Dogtrousers]

Wandering off topic a bit, was anyone else slightly surprised that after years of zooming around velodromes in lycra riding on whispy little fixies, the first bikes that Victoria Pendleton designed were equipped with shopping baskets, and more suited to floaty summer dresses than lycra. How did that happen, I wonder?

 

[Leaway2]

, but what of Sir Bradley - will he ever go down this road ?

It will probably be a Lambretta.

 

[Mattonsea]

Because that has never ever happened on any other brand of bike sold anywhere else has it?

And you think they offer a great service??? How many people moan about the level of quality on CC.

 

[markharry66]

Think I have just lost complete interest in Boardman bikes as a brand. Stuff Halfords one of the worst shops that happen to sell bikes or have a so called bike department

 

[MisterStan]

Boardman, Hoy, Pendleton, English peeps who've turned (or attached) their names to bikes.

And before that Eddy Merckx, Freddie Grubb, Guerciotti, Jan Janssen.

Cavendish has is own products via Spesh, but what of Sir Bradley - will he ever go down this road ?

Any other notable names I have missed?

Found a great list of Bike Brands on Wiki btw .... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_bicycle_brands_and_manufacturing_companies

Wiggo has already released a clothing line with Fred Perry - not bikes i know, but...

 

[biggs682]

oh dear never mind will be a long time before they become a classic or vintage bike

 

[nickyboy]

If your motivation for choosing a particular bike is to advertise your exclusivity, then I'm afraid I wouldn't have much sympathy....

Me too....I have a btwin (decathlon) nice bike and couldn't care less if its the same brand as the triban 3. But I suspect not everyone thinks like this. Look at the hooha when Halfords started stocking Pinarellos

 

[nickyboy]

Had the tech in your LBS been to the "Cannondale" factory in Taiwan?

I bet there are thousands unlike you who bought boardman; judging by the way the ranges sell out.

Of course as you already allude, the "Cannondale" factory is also the "Boardman" factory and the "Specialised" factory....and the......and the......

 

[nickyboy]

Think I have just lost complete interest in Boardman bikes as a brand. Stuff Halfords one of the worst shops that happen to sell bikes or have a so called bike department

Oh dear.....we're back here again. I will say it one more time:

Halfords business model is not to replicate the LBS "have a natter and get some advice" way of operating. They sell to people who know nothing about bikes and want a simple, non-intimidating interaction like when they go to Tesco for their weekly shop.
They dominate the sales of bikes in Britain. They have their business model right, the LBS that are closing down don't

 

[GrumpyGregry]

Oh dear.....we're back here again. I will say it one more time:

Halfords business model is not to replicate the LBS "have a natter and get some advice" way of operating. They sell to people who know nothing about bikes and want a simple, non-intimidating interaction like when they go to Tesco for their weekly shop.
They dominate the sales of bikes in Britain. They have their business model right, the LBS that are closing down don't

I'd tweak it to say they also sell to people who know a heck of a lot about bikes and who don't need their advice/workshop et cetera.

 

[jarlrmai]

Every cyclist has to make a mistake when they buy their 1st bike, Halfords are there to fill that niche.

 

[Brava210]

Never been a fan of Boardmans. Overpriced, heavy and you usually get a mish-mish of branded and unbranded components. The Performance range is decent but still overpriced.

Overpriced compared to what?
Apollo?