The bike industry crisis

F G said:
That's truly fucked. I find it truly unconscionable that they (YT) would continue to accept orders when they absolutely knew they were going insolvent. That's on YT management not the PE fund managers.

However, without knowing the details of this particular deal, the PE industry has unfortunately pivoted far from it's original purpose. Instead of actively managing a business turnaround through actual restructuring and operational improvement, they've all turned to quick fix financial engineering and leverage to turn a quick profit. It is such a shame as in the right hands PE can be a force for good, keeping some companies alive that would have gone under otherwise. Alas only the underlying investors can force change here by picking and choosing where they invest more carefully.
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I worked for a company that was taking orders and either deposits or a large percentage of the product in this exact situation.
We found out when the doors were locked when we got to work.
Shit people don't care about you.
 
mike14 said:
Intense pausing Euro sales to focus on America
https://www.pinkbike.com/news/inten...ope-to-stabilise-north-american-business.html
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As others on here have said, I think Intense's decline is more to do with management choices rather than the general malaise of the industry currently. They could and should be a market share rival to Santa Cruz, instead years of crap quality, weird hail mary passes (951 budget brand wtf) and ugly, ugly colour schemes / bicycles have got them to this point.

A tragedy given how many things the company pioneered and championed. Hope they can find a way back, the latest M1 shows they've still got potential:

1753402227134.png
 
Asininedrivel said:
As others on here have said, I think Intense's decline is more to do with management choices rather than the general malaise of the industry currently. They could and should be a market share rival to Santa Cruz, instead years of crap quality, weird hail mary passes (951 budget brand wtf) and ugly, ugly colour schemes / bicycles have got them to this point.

A tragedy given how many things the company pioneered and championed. Hope they can find a way back, the latest M1 shows they've still got potential:

View attachment 418838
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That bike is hawt
 
Why cut markets and reduce the possible number of buyers? A website, garage, and some boxes arent that expensive...

- sell direct
- in house manufacturing
- improve quality control
- reduce frame options
- change sponsorship model
- lean into legacy

I actually liked the idea of those not very 951 frames. I juat would have used a different name, rather than besmirch the dh line.
 
Selling at Costco certai
Asininedrivel said:
As others on here have said, I think Intense's decline is more to do with management choices rather than the general malaise of the industry currently. They could and should be a market share rival to Santa Cruz, instead years of crap quality, weird hail mary passes (951 budget brand wtf) and ugly, ugly colour schemes / bicycles have got them to this point.

A tragedy given how many things the company pioneered and championed. Hope they can find a way back, the latest M1 shows they've still got potential:

View attachment 418838
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At least Santa Cruz were smart enough not to sell at Costco!

https://www.costco.com/intense-951-trail-bike.product.4000136517.html
 
The Duckmeister said:
Bike Ex began with honourable intentions, but pretty rapidly devolved to a platform for shops to advertise stuff they didn't have in stock.
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I had a little to do with bike exchange back in the day and it was the software that they were trying to sell, bikes were just an avenue to display it (along with all the others they had)
 
The final year Wiggle/CRC vibes from Pushys... who are they employing :rolleyes:

Trying to buy a $430 helmet from them, points out to Pushys CS that their ordering selection are incorrect and should change it so I can buy the right one, first time and that POC size their helmets SMALL - MED - LARGE etc... not XS/S - M/L - XL/2XL.

So if I want to buy a Med do I order M/L and if I want to buy a Large, I also order M/L 🤔

I send them an email telling them their selections are wrong and get a condescending email back telling me to use the sizing chart and linking me a screenshot of where the size chart is. Well fuck me, thanks for that.

PXL_20250804_054950641.jpg
 
ozzybmx said:
The final year Wiggle/CRC vibes from Pushys... who are they employing :rolleyes:

Trying to buy a $430 helmet from them, points out to Pushys CS that their ordering selection are incorrect and should change it so I can buy the right one, first time and that POC size their helmets SMALL - MED - LARGE etc... not XS/S - M/L - XL/2XL.

So if I want to buy a Med do I order M/L and if I want to buy a Large, I also order M/L 🤔

I send them an email telling them their selections are wrong and get a condescending email back telling me to use the sizing chart and linking me a screenshot of where the size chart is. Well fuck me, thanks for that.

View attachment 419548
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There are more and more useless people in CS, and yes, at various online sellers etc who know F-A about the products their company sells, and are hopeless with finding the correct information, despite the existence of the internet and being able to ring their distros.

As for a Pushys CS staffer having a bad attitude, that's pretty silly of them.

@ozzybmx I usually reach out direct to the Distro for that very reason.

Pocsport Australia site lists the sizes, and its pretty lame that the Pushys staffer that did the Kortal product page botched it, and the CS numpty didn't take responsibility. that's unwise on their part.

As it's not on sale, may as well buy direct from POC Australia. if you get on their email list it's free shipping.

poc.com

Kortal Race MIPS MTB Helmet in Granite Grey Matt | POC (AU)

The Kortal Race Mips MTB Helmet offers uninterrupted ventilation, a fully adjustable fit, and integrated technology for rotational impact protection.
poc.com

(Edited to correct errors and some language on my part.)
 
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Pushys, not MTBD.

Looks like a 15% off Brucey-Bonus from POC on sign up too 😍

Missing out on my 429 loyalty points, damn $4.29 🤣

Pushys got back, stopped short of saying thanks though, apparently sending upstairs to the IT crew and will get back to me... not holding my breath for trinket.

PXL_20250825_102222633.jpg
 
Tubbsy said:
If you're going to have a potty mouthed crack at the customer service, at least get the right business - Ozzy is talking about Pushys.

I've found mtbdirect's CS good in various interactions over the years.
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My bad. Edited to correct. Unfortunately I have encountered ineffectual or actively hopeless CS staff at a number of online sellers, and including at least one or two distributors, in recent years. AND, yes. get the facts right, FG.
 
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rextheute said:
unrelated .... ( thread drift ) and not everyones cup of tea .
But specialized are doing their once every now and again helmet sale
Not as pricey as a POC - but i have a cheap head hahahaa

-> not that i 'give cheap head ya filthy beasts'
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"Has a cheap head" - that could be the new custom sig line... 🤔
"Cheap head, Expensive bike"
Or

"Cheap head and a three day growth" has a certain chiselesque plagiaristic ring to it.
 
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