As an avid cyclist I would challenge the below statement:
“The want to build a business on the idea of selling $1000 bicycles with no advanced features. There are a lot of companies that do this.”
– These bicycles most certainly do have “advanced features” in that all of the components are high grade and USA sourced. The beauty, reliability, and strength-to-weight ratio of a hand-built steel lugged bicycle frame are undeniably “advanced” features.
– There are NOT a lot of companies that do this. If you look at larger bicycle manufacturers, they skimp on components in this price range. It is nearly impossible to find a bicycle with a frame build of this quality, with quality USA components and this fit and finish in this price point from a large manufacturer.
While the marketing and look of the website and bicycles clearly has an artistic flair, ‘cute’ is a fairly dismissive and diminutive to be using. I actually think it is very business-savvy. What you see as ‘cute’ is actually tapping into an idea and aesthetic that is very contemporary and – marketable. There is a shift toward interest in local sourcing and quality crafting that makes this a very viable business plan.
Why do you think J.Crew now has a selection option for “Made in the USA”? It’s not just for middle American union members anymore.
Swissmiss is an online garden Tina Roth Eisenberg started in 2005 and has lovingly tended to ever since.
Besides swissmiss, Tina founded and runs TeuxDeux, CreativeMornings and her Brooklyn based co-working community Friends Work Here. (She also started Tattly which was recently adopted by BIC)
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I want one of those racing bikes. I bet it’s so reliable being made by hand rather than the cheap mass produced ones.
Apr 2nd, 2013 / 3:34 pm
Sounds great, looks great and i would like to say it feels great, who knows. Honest price for a hand made bike!
Apr 2nd, 2013 / 3:47 pm
I love it so much ♥
Apr 2nd, 2013 / 5:20 pm
This is cute and all, but is this an actual business model?
The want to build a business on the idea of selling $1000 bicycles with no advanced features. There are a lot of companies that do this.
If this was an investment opportunity would you buy in?
Is it anything more than cute?
Apr 5th, 2013 / 5:24 am
I certainly would buy in!
As an avid cyclist I would challenge the below statement:
“The want to build a business on the idea of selling $1000 bicycles with no advanced features. There are a lot of companies that do this.”
– These bicycles most certainly do have “advanced features” in that all of the components are high grade and USA sourced. The beauty, reliability, and strength-to-weight ratio of a hand-built steel lugged bicycle frame are undeniably “advanced” features.
– There are NOT a lot of companies that do this. If you look at larger bicycle manufacturers, they skimp on components in this price range. It is nearly impossible to find a bicycle with a frame build of this quality, with quality USA components and this fit and finish in this price point from a large manufacturer.
While the marketing and look of the website and bicycles clearly has an artistic flair, ‘cute’ is a fairly dismissive and diminutive to be using. I actually think it is very business-savvy. What you see as ‘cute’ is actually tapping into an idea and aesthetic that is very contemporary and – marketable. There is a shift toward interest in local sourcing and quality crafting that makes this a very viable business plan.
Why do you think J.Crew now has a selection option for “Made in the USA”? It’s not just for middle American union members anymore.
May 22nd, 2013 / 1:58 pm