Re: [CR]Mercian Geometry and Ride

(Example: Component Manufacturers:Avocet)

From: <CYCLESTORE@aol.com>
Date: Mon, 15 Jan 2001 00:41:03 EST
Subject: Re: [CR]Mercian Geometry and Ride
To: MSCTROSE@aol.com, classicrendezvous@bikelist.org


You know what it is; that outrageous middle man markup, ya see. It's those rich bike shop owners takin advantage of the buying public, their outta be a law.

Actually their are laws, lots of them here and abroad, on business and imports. The one most people mention here is the laws of economics.

Actually all fun aside Mercian has similar costs they pass along to shipping through dealers in the states. The advertise, take orders, sell a customer, work out problems, pack and ship, file customs manifests which all take employees - people who get paid real wages to perform tasks.

The average bicycle dealer in the states does have an overhead cost of doing business that is 15-18% higher than a 30% markup used on many bicycles and subsidies the sale of many products. High markup isn't so high when you costs exceed you income. High Quality Bicycles in America are the greatest bargains a consumer can find. How many businesses willingly pay you 15% under their cost to buy a product from them. Not many, and there are not many bike stores out there anymore. It's sad.

Having said that I have a very sad low overhead bicycle operation in a leaky warehouse (with charm) and I import a number of bikes that after freight and duty are calculated sell for less than the same products sold in the UK. Some are higher but most are the same or lower. It's a very strong dollar at work.

Mercian is indeed a fine buy and has a great reputation but remember it's far cheaper in small runs not to stock anything. You can't test ride a bike that has never been built can you. Heron's are potentially on the shelf and could be ridden in advance at some (?) dealers and certainly seen at others. Custom bikes never can be. You buy the promise that it will perform as intended. Nothing wrong with that.

The taste level for great equipment runs very high on this list, and for some people on the list they will never seriously consider a bike that wasn't "fabrique sur measure". They just want it to be so special, and unique and if it isn't they will not be satisfied. They put trust in a builder and take their chances and usually it turns out OK but if you do it often enough there is always a chance of disappointment.

Mercians are fine bikes and I feel their building, start up costs and research and tooling were paid for long ago. The area they are from is semi-rural and the employees cost of living is probably low. A grand old company may have many older employees that know their job and do it efficiently and well. They are not hopping mad for pay raises every week or threatening to quit and move far away in a declining industry. This would as well as the Dollar/Pound relationship explain the bike as a great bargain in today's world. (corrections welcome).

I wonder if some our authoritative UK friends can cast some light on British frame costs and why they are so low.

The Mercian and Heron are both bargains if they do what you need them to do. I'd love to own both.

Regards,

Gilbert Anderson The Bicycle Outfitter Raleigh, NC USA

In a message dated 1/15/01 3:47:40 AM, MSCTROSE@aol.com writes:

<< In a message dated 1/14/01 7:12:42 PM, bicyclemark@juno.com writes:

<< frameset (Heron) that has gone through a middle-man before being purchased from Rivendell or whomever >>

Herons were designed by Grant Peterson of Rivendell, and built by Waterford to his specs. Originally available only through Riv, then retail outlets were added. Nowadays, Riv is considered a retailer of the Heron in the same manner as the shops that carry them as well. I have a Heron Road, and find it to be a well built, nicely finished frame. The workmanship is good, not on par with the best of the best customs, but nice just the same. Not a lot of filing of the lugs, for example. But they are nicely cast so they don't need much finishing. Originally I built it up with a racing group (all seven speed dura ace) now it is a mutt with a triple crank, long cage Suntour rear, Campy hubs and G40 rims. One buys a Heron, though, for the ride. It is exquisite. As nice a riding bike (if not the nicest) as I have ever ridden, and that includes Colnago, Merckx, Italian Lemond, Vitus, Raleigh, Marinoni, Pogliaghi (plus some more, can't remember them all). I would not hesitate to take my Heron on a 100 mile ride tomorrow. Or stick a large bag on the back and head up the coast to Santa Cruz. Or jump in with the local group ride (without the bag on the back, of course;0) I got the Heron as a test to see if I liked Grant's philosophy on bike fit/ride. If I didn't like it, I thought it would sell easy. I like it a lot. So much so, I have a Riv that will be here in a few months. Mark Rosenberg howtostretch.com
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