Raleigh in trouble.

[oxoman]

Spotted that Raleighs Dutch owners are putting UK arm into administration.
See nottinghampost,s feature.
https://www.nottinghampost.com/news/business/historic-nottinghamshire-firm-raleigh-set-11094990

 

[ivegotabike]

Yes, here is the court filing "Application - Notice of Intention to appoint an administrator"

https://caseboard.io/cases/f116b952-3b9f-44f1-8800-9c10aa53950f

Also worth noting that it is very delinquent with its corporate filings. Accounts for the period to 31 Dec 2024 were due to be filed by 30 Sep 2025

https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/00139076

 

[lenfield]

Raleigh's haven't been built in Britain since the millennium. The current bikes are just badge-engineered Far Eastern imports. It's no big loss.

 

[Sharky]

Sad, but typical of firms that want to get bigger, greedy for more money and keep expanding until it implodes when the market changes.

Remember the documentary about Morgan cars. The "trouble shooter" wanted them to increase production, raise prices, but the Morgan family disagreed and wanted to keep it as a niche, highly in demand product and they are still going strong (I believe).

 

[KuroSan]

I didn't even know Raleigh was even still a thing, so I'll hazard a guess that part of the problem was their lack of advertising!

 

[tyred]

A couple that I constantly crossed paths with on Hebridean Way had his and hers Raleigh ebikes and rated them highly.

I've cycled about 100 miles this week so far on my 1990 Pioneer. I'm probably part of problem for not buying a new one...

 

[Vapin' Joe]

A couple that I constantly crossed paths with on Hebridean Way had his and hers Raleigh ebikes and rated them highly.

I've cycled about 100 miles this week so far on my 1990 Pioneer. I'm probably part of problem for not buying a new one...

Raleigh are the problem in not making bikes that people wanted to buy.

 

[richardfm]

Raleigh are the problem in not making bikes that people wanted to buy.

I thought the Raleigh Motus ebike was a good seller

 

[Drago]

Raleigh are the problem in not making bikes that people wanted to buy.

Indeed. The world moved on, Raleigh didn't.

 

[Andy in Germany]

A couple that I constantly crossed paths with on Hebridean Way had his and hers Raleigh ebikes and rated them highly.

I've cycled about 100 miles this week so far on my 1990 Pioneer. I'm probably part of problem for not buying a new one...

I've also probably helped cause their demise as I'm still riding my M-trax bought in 1997 (and made in Nottingham, England)

Raleigh are the problem in not making bikes that people wanted to buy.

They seemed to make lovely bikes (See M-Trax) or absolute pancakes, judging by the clunkers we occasionally get "donated" here.

 

[glasgowcyclist]

My last bike was a Raleigh, bought in 2015 from a shop in Germany as it wasn't available in the UK. It's a marvellous bike for commuting, having full mudguards, rear carrier, Alfine 8-speed hub gears, hydraulic disc brakes, and Shimano hub dynamo with B&M IQ lights.

I could have gone for the belt drive but stuck with the chain.

I got all that for £800. The nearest equivalents available here were that price before adding mudguards, dynamo and lights etc. Probably the best value bike I've ever bought.

 

[Paul_Smith SRCC]

Spotted that Raleighs Dutch owners are putting UK arm into administration.
See nottinghampost,s feature.
https://www.nottinghampost.com/news/business/historic-nottinghamshire-firm-raleigh-set-11094990

Raleigh are/were owned by Accell Group Holding B.V; who to quote Bike Biz:

Accell Group Holding B.V. and its Dutch subsidiaries have announced that they have been granted a suspension of payments (voorlopige surseance van betaling) by courts in the Netherlands, signalling the onset of local insolvency proceedings for the European bicycle manufacturing giant.

When I started in the cycle industry 40 years ago Raleigh were one of the 'Go to' brands for both consumer and retailer alike, they cost more than the imported competition but many were prepared to pay a premium for what they felt was a superior product. Over time their competition improved in quality but significantly they were still cheaper, the result is many felt they were paying a premium for an inferior product; seldom is that a recipe for long term success.

All is not lost I hope, it's the group that's in trouble, I'd imagine that the Raleigh name would still have enough appeal to entice a potential new owner; I would not be surprised if someone buys them.

 

[wafter]

Raleigh's haven't been built in Britain since the millennium. The current bikes are just badge-engineered Far Eastern imports. It's no big loss.

While I agree to a point, tbh I've been low-key impressed by some of their offerings and while clearly now just an exercise in badge engineering I think their products are still a cut above other low-mid end generic offerings.

Raleigh are the problem in not making bikes that people wanted to buy.

I don't think that's entirely fair.

Granted the brand's focus has definitely changed from how many of us remember it - from offering a huge range of bike across many different types and price points to a much narrower focus on lower end / utility bikes aimed perhaps at less discerning, more mainstream consumers - however within these markets their products generally seemed competent and well received.

I thought the Raleigh Motus ebike was a good seller

Indeed; I've seen a few about and the one person I've spoken to with one really liked hers. I'm also very impressed by the Strada City - an ally hybrid with fat 650b tyres and hydraulic disc brakes that looks really well specced for its intended market and new costs about half what I've just spent on just a frame for a similar build..

Ultimately this seems to be just another instalment in the post-covid apocalypse blighting the industry, against a backdrop of unsustainable, end-stage capitalism..

 

[glasgowcyclist]

This is a very similar model to my bike, except mine is 8 speed and has no chainguard.

There's some really neat design touches (like the rear light that's integrated to the carrier) and I love how every Allen bolt is marked with its torque setting in Nm, although that's not visible in the video.

I did have a chuckle at the "Best of Britain" logo on a bike that’s never been here.


View: https://youtu.be/uxMc4NgWTzU?si=34s64IlyiA1BFTJj

 

[fossyant]

It's the 'group' that's gone into the equivalent of 'administration' as well as the UK arm. Not looking good.

Haibike. Ghost. Lapierre. Raleigh. Winora. Batavus. Sparta. Koga. Babboe. Carqon. XLC.