Hedrick Cycles

[rcnute]

Interesting.

http://www.seattlepi.com/business/article/A-20-000-bicycle-New-shop-aims-to-sell-the-6520090.php

Ryan

[thegunner]

i think i'd rather go to portland and pick up another speedvagen for cross for that kind of money.

[tiretrax]

I love this quote, "Whatever the price, it's likely to be higher than that Cannondale you bought at REI last year."

$2750 for an open mold frame? I thought Ritte had that market cornered.

Really, he's more into customizing frames (but only his). Is Cascade Cycling Studio out of business? IIRC, it offered the same services but with well known high-end frames.

[oldpotatoe]

Interesting.

http://www.seattlepi.com/business/article/A-20-000-bicycle-New-shop-aims-to-sell-the-6520090.php

Ryan

More than a few bike shops do this, but with mostly US built frames. Like Vecchio's, get fit, buy Moots frame, get custom build there. With only 1 frame model, not sure of his gig. $2750 for a Taiwanese carbon frame. I'm sure others in Seattle do the same thing with US made metal bikes. Some carbon too, like a Calfee and Parlee. Or Euro carbon like Sarto or Colnago or Italian company, Asian produced like Pinarello or Colnago. Wish him luck.

[rcnute]

I love this quote, "Whatever the price, it's likely to be higher than that Cannondale you bought at REI last year."

$2750 for an open mold frame? I thought Ritte had that market cornered.

Really, he's more into customizing frames (but only his). Is Cascade Cycling Studio out of business? IIRC, it offered the same services but with well known high-end frames.

No, they're still around. Cascade and Branford Bike are the high end shops in Seattle (I think).

Ryan

[Joxster]

The website crashed when I had a look, it must have credit checked me and found me not worthy of looking

[sandyrs]

seems like a horrible business model but those frames do look cool, for what that's worth.

[JLP]

Yeah and Element cycles in Redmond has a huge showroom full of serious hardware. Good luck.

[jmal]

Laughable. He won't last long, and shouldn't given his goals as presented in the article.

[sandyrs]

It makes so, SO much sense that he would be following tech money around trying to make customers out of that population. If this business manages to succeed it'll be thanks to the whims of techies who want to buy their way to cycling prestige but won't put in the legwork to understand that the only people who will be impressed by a $20,000 imitation Tarmac are other ignorant newcomers. When you have people with that much money and so little understanding of the culture they're entering, you can sell them a product that is ostensibly high-end but lacks any pedigree whatsoever. This business model is either incredibly cynical (preying on the ignorance of new money) or extremely naive (thinking that you can devise a world-beating off-the-peg bike that somehow will perform better than bikes developed for the same purpose with 1,000x the research budget). I sincerely hope that it's the latter.

[sandyrs]

Also, at $2750 for the frameset, what absurd components is he putting on this bike to get to that $20k pricetag? Even $7k wheels and a $4k drivetrain only get you to a bit shy of $14k. I have a hard time believing that he's going to be selling a $6k cockpit.

[bobswire]

With guys like him resettling is it any wonder why for years Oregonians have been against California settlers. http://hotair.com/archives/2015/09/09/oregon-is-tired-of-all-these-immigrants-from-california/

http://i61.tinypic.com/2nvdobp.jpg

[54ny77]

well, a seattle company got the world to pay a lot of money for a cup of not that great coffee, so maybe he's on to something....or not. :p


p.s. wanna take a guess on how long it'll be before specialized sues for trademark infringement? that logo/font looks very familiar.

[pakora]

It is, as the name suggests, the fourth frame model he has sold since he built his first bike in his college dorm room in 2009.
...
"You could get up to $15,000 without blinking," Hedrick said of his completely customizable bikes.

seems legit

[bfd]

There's a guy in Seattle that going to sell $20,000 bikes where the frame is "made in Taiwan" in standard geometry to only "top-shelf" clients....

http://www.seattlepi.com/business/article/A-20-000-bicycle-New-shop-aims-to-sell-the-6520090.php

I guess he never heard of the $40,000 Factor001 bikes....

Good Luck! :mad::help::crap:

[pff]

well it makes sense... there are some people for whom demand is inelastic to price. I learned me those words in econ 101. If someone wants to spend $20k on a bike, why on Earth would you tell them "sorry, we only go up to $6k"? Spec, cervelo, etc. learned this long ago which explains the halo bike category (that and because they make the "normal" high end bikes seem more reasonable).

[pff]

p.s. repost: http://forums.thepaceline.net/showthread.php?t=174819

[unterhausen]

I think most $20k bicycles aren't custom.

[I Want Sachs?]

Custom bikes don't necessarily ride better than non-custom. Speedvagen has pre-specified geometry, as are Pegorettis, and I don't see many people complaining about their rides.

[jlwdm]

Custom bikes don't necessarily ride better than non-custom. Speedvagen has pre-specified geometry, as are Pegorettis, and I don't see many people complaining about their rides.

People that pay a lot of money for a bike don't usually complain for various reasons. That doesn't mean a custom could not have some advantages for some riders. That is why Speedvagen makes some customs also.

I find the whole idea of this shop offensive, and I am from the area. I will check it out when I am in Seattle next. The shop sounds all about the amount of money you spend instead of getting a better bike and having to pay more.

No mention of why this is a great frame.

The writer does not seem to know that Cannondale sells expensive bikes.

His website sells a watch for $500. He better change the price to $5000 to be in line with his high price goal.

Jeff

[happycampyer]

If he can somehow manage to build a $2,500 frame into a $20,000 bicycle, then a nearby Parlee dealer can build a custom painted Z0 with the same build spec into a $30,000 bicycle. Not clear what the value proposition is--at least the paint on a Ritte is cool.

[54ny77]

The tubeless tire models are sold by the ounce.

http://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/tucson.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/d/cb/dcbf68aa-e3b3-11e4-9120-4f88f1865441/552ed3eb616cb.image.jpg?resize=620%2C449

...Not clear what the value proposition is...

[ultraman6970]

I like the frame this guy is using but from that to 20.000 well... If you make all the numbers we are talking maybe +5000 bucks for building this thing...

Wish the guy luck, what else you can do? :)

[buddybikes]

Have those plywood sheets ready, they will be shuttering up that place in 6 months.

People who want to spend big $$$ without custom will want bling factor with top end Specialized or Trek. His bikes are nothing to show off to your friends.

[redir]

My mom taught me at an early age, "a fool is soon parted with his money."

[cfox]

Anyone who spends enough time here should realize he's painting open-mold* bikes and (trying to) sell them for stupid money. A much less hip/ironic Ritte.



*every open mold repainter/seller goes on about their input into the "design" and "manufacturing process"

[ultraman6970]

Isnt that frame the same than the Venge???

[Dr Luxurious]

whatever

[TimAZ]

I've heard that the saddles placed on a $20,000 bike hum when you ride.

[ofcounsel]

If he makes bikers happy with $20k bikes, then good for him!

[dgauthier]

(…) I find the whole idea of this shop offensive, and I am from the area. I will check it out when I am in Seattle next. The shop sounds all about the amount of money you spend instead of getting a better bike and having to pay more.

No mention of why this is a great frame.(…)

Where have I heard this before . . . ? ;)

I must admit I don't get the whole "expensive bicycle as a display of wealth" thing. It's . . . a bicycle. Nothing in cycling is so expensive it can be called a display of wealth. Buying expensive cycling equipment (purchased for its impressive "bling" factor rather than its function) is like buying a $12 bottle of imported olive oil. It's a pseudo display of wealth for those who are not truly wealthy. Anyone gainfully employed who prioritizes cycling to a high degree can manage to buy whatever bicycle they like, regardless of price.

Ya wanna impress me? Show me your Lambo Aventadore. That you bought for cash. New. But please get away from me with your expensive bicycle. (Insert bicycle bell sound effect here.)

[DRZRM]

I don't disagree with anything you say except that $12 for actual decent olive oil seems perfectly reasonable to me. Maybe I need a Venge.

Where have I heard this before . . . ? ;)

I must admit I don't get the whole "expensive bicycle as a display of wealth" thing. It's . . . a bicycle. Nothing in cycling is so expensive it can be called a display of wealth. Buying expensive cycling equipment (purchased for its impressive "bling" factor rather than its function) is like buying a $12 bottle of imported olive oil. It's a pseudo display of wealth for those who are not truly wealthy. Anyone gainfully employed who prioritizes cycling to a high degree can manage to buy whatever bicycle they like, regardless of price.

Ya wanna impress me? Show me your Lambo Aventadore. That you bought for cash. New. But please get away from me with your expensive bicycle. (Insert bicycle bell sound effect here.)

[dgauthier]

I don't disagree with anything you say except that $12 for actual decent olive oil seems perfectly reasonable to me. Maybe I need a Venge.

You got me there. My wife does all the cooking so I am out of my depth. :D

If you can taste the difference, it's worth it! If you buy a $20,000 bicycle to impress yourself, that's terrific. If you buy it to impress your friends, that's just kinda sad.

[BobbyJones]

PT Barnum once said....

[sandyrs]

Funny how much more charitable people are on this thread compared to the original. I think this is a horrendous business model that can only succeed by feeding off uninformed tech money, but then again, at least it's bikes and not Segways, I guess...

[Mr. Pink]

I don't disagree with anything you say except that $12 for actual decent olive oil seems perfectly reasonable to me. Maybe I need a Venge.

Yeah. If I could find an excellent extra virgin olive oil for 12 bucks, I 'd buy two at a time.

One of the more repulsive experiences I had in a bike shop was talking to a new owner of a top of the line Serotta at the time (I forgot the model, doesn't matter, way over my steel frame budget) as his bike hung on a stand being built up. All he could do is detail how expensive every little part was on the bike. Total bill was 18,000, and that was maybe ten years ago. I just had to zip it up and walk away, or it could have been ugly. He was maybe 20 pounds overweight, btw.

[Mr. Pink]

As far as that "bike costing more than your car" thing, I tried to find an old web site that had pictures of expensive bikes on top of beater cars (mostly mountain bikes). Entertaining site, if someone can find it. Old news.

[unterhausen]

He was maybe 20 pounds overweight, btw.
I resemble that remark.

I am not sure how to feel about this, I think that people that want a $20k bike are better off going to a high-end dealer somewhere and buying a Spec/Trek/something else I don't know about because I'm never going to have $20k for a bike. Or a custom.

[SoCalSteve]

Also, at $2750 for the frameset, what absurd components is he putting on this bike to get to that $20k pricetag? Even $7k wheels and a $4k drivetrain only get you to a bit shy of $14k. I have a hard time believing that he's going to be selling a $6k cockpit.

This was my first thought as well! Unless you are charging well over MSRP ( rip off ) then there is no possible way you could get to $20k.

I could build that bike with Dura Ace DI2 and all ENVE for the rest for $8,000.00... Unless you do Lightweights, you are going to have a tough time getting past the $10k mark.

[reggiebaseball]

maybe he can merge with Silca and they can sell a $25k bicycle/pump combo.

[bcroslin]

If there's one thing I remember about my time in Seattle it's how much folks can't stand Californians. This guy ticks all the boxes for Seattlites.

[dgauthier]

Changing the subject to the really important stuff:

http://www.truthinoliveoil.com/2013/08/trader-joes-extravirgins-and-floozies

And check those prices! Gotta love Trader Joe's. The wifey goes for the Premium Extra Virgin, which comes with a really neato metal pour spout...

[dave thompson]

His venture sort of reminds me of the 'Pharma bro' that bought a drug company recently and raised the price of "his" drug some 5000%!

[reggiebaseball]

I figured it out,
it's in the fine print...

personalized daily chamois cream application :butt: for 12 months after sale.


I am canceling my wife's fitting immediately.

[Lanternrouge]

This was my first thought as well! Unless you are charging well over MSRP ( rip off ) then there is no possible way you could get to $20k.

I could build that bike with Dura Ace DI2 and all ENVE for the rest for $8,000.00... Unless you do Lightweights, you are going to have a tough time getting past the $10k mark.

I think full price for all that stuff puts you past the $8k mark. Add an SRM to the mix and I think you get past $10k for that frame without any super exotic parts. I have trouble seeing how you could get to $20k based on this frame unless you go super crazy with exotic parts. For shiggles, I went to the Wrench Science website and priced a Parlee Z-Zero with Super Record EPS, Lightweight Wheels, Enve part and and SRM and that still ended up at $23k with an $8k frame.

If someone is intent on spending money for the sake of spending money, I'd rather they do it on bikes than other things since it keeps the manufacturers in business and will lead to some lightly used high zoot parts eventually up for sale.

[summilux]

Yeah. If I could find an excellent extra virgin olive oil for 12 bucks, I 'd buy two at a time.


Try Portuguese Azede. Here in Canada, its about $20/bottle. Much better value that the Italian stuff. Proper Azede should have a year stamped on it.

[choke]

I thought their stuff was pretty good; the farm was a rest stop on Eroica CA.

http://www.oleafarm.com/store/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=6&zenid=tqshcoq6k87jo1qhs2ehfeg440

[devlin]

Wow! There are some really bitter people commenting here. If you read the article carefully he is quoted as saying he has designed the frame, so it's not quite an open mould. I imagined he shopped around for a fabricator and is getting each frame made for a good price. Don't forget that MOST of your blinged out Treks and Specialised frames are made in Asia, so Taiwanese made is certainly nothing to look down your nose at and having a billion dollars to throw at R&D is going to guarantee you end up with a great product.

He is also quoted as saying you could get to $15k pretty easily, it was the story author who mentioned $20k. So taking your Wrench Science example above and take off the $5k frame difference and he is still under what that example shows.

I have no dog in his fight, I build my own frames in Australia, but at least he is trying something and offering a different choice to the dudes with cash other than a big box overpriced brand. Don't like it, don't buy it. Pretty simple.

[rustychisel]

Damn that's sweet.

5 minutes with an Xacto knife and some red tape and I could turn Redrick >>>> Dickhead

[jlwdm]

Wow! There are some really bitter people commenting here. If you read the article carefully he is quoted as saying he has designed the frame, so it's not quite an open mould. I imagined he shopped around for a fabricator and is getting each frame made for a good price. Don't forget that MOST of your blinged out Treks and Specialised frames are made in Asia, so Taiwanese made is certainly nothing to look down your nose at and having a billion dollars to throw at R&D is going to guarantee you end up with a great product.

He is also quoted as saying you could get to $15k pretty easily, it was the story author who mentioned $20k. So taking your Wrench Science example above and take off the $5k frame difference and he is still under what that example shows.

I have no dog in his fight, I build my own frames in Australia, but at least he is trying something and offering a different choice to the dudes with cash other than a big box overpriced brand. Don't like it, don't buy it. Pretty simple.


Sorry, I still find it offensive. He is focused on selling expensive bikes not great bikes for each individual rider, which may be expensive. Customer service seems to be missing plus I do not see any reason why I would put trust in his frame design.

I have some expensive bikes and they are not big box brands. There are numerous great small US frame makers. If I was getting a carbon bike it would be a Crumpton.

Jeff

[devlin]

How do you know it's not a great handling or riding bike? If someone doesn't need a custom geo and can fit on one of these bikes what really makes one of Nics bikes a better proposition? I agree that Nic's fabrication and attention to detail is premium and you pay for the pleasure. If I had the money I'd have a Crumpton in the garage as well, but alas I don't.

My point being is that yes he isn't a 'custom' frame builder and he isn't offering anything really different to most brands really. He is offering a reasonably priced carbon frame which you can spec out to your wallets limit. It's the customer determining the final price really.

:-)

[jlwdm]

I need custom, but in any event I would by a bike from someone with a reputation for making great riding bikes over someone who has no reputation at all and does not present any reasons why his is a great bike.

Jeff

[devlin]

That's a fair enough stance too. There are no reviews on his bikes so it's hard to judge either way. having said that no one really builds a bad bike these days and position and components have a much bigger effect on the package that frame numbers alone.

I need custom as well. It's one of the reasons I now build frames and not buy the generics.

Time will tell I suppose.

[m_sasso]

Try Portuguese Azede. Here in Canada, its about $20/bottle. Much better value that the Italian stuff. Proper Azede should have a year stamped on it.

Was that meant to be "Azeite" olive oil?

[fuzzalow]

Buying expensive cycling equipment (purchased for its impressive "bling" factor rather than its function) is like buying a $12 bottle of imported olive oil. It's a pseudo display of wealth for those who are not truly wealthy.

Good olive oil costs a bit more than that IMO. It is no more an display of conspicuous consumption than a $12 bottle of wine, which can get some good wine if well chosen, but which is not extravagant by most measures.

You want good olive oil that is worth every penny and then some, order a container of olive oil from Andy Hampsten's company. Some of the best I have sampled and along with a Stirato baguette from Sullivan Street Bakery for dunking - a simple yet decadent gastronomic combination.

Yeah. If I could find an excellent extra virgin olive oil for 12 bucks, I 'd buy two at a time.

One of the more repulsive experiences I had in a bike shop was talking to a new owner of a top of the line Serotta at the time (I forgot the model, doesn't matter, way over my steel frame budget) as his bike hung on a stand being built up. All he could do is detail how expensive every little part was on the bike. Total bill was 18,000, and that was maybe ten years ago. I just had to zip it up and walk away, or it could have been ugly. He was maybe 20 pounds overweight, btw.

You know, I wouldn't find the guy repulsive at all. Nope. It is just a blatant display about how little the guy knows about cycling and how grotesquely insecure he is. I enjoy the show given by guys like this. And I don't even recoil from a conversation but it can be onerous because once a guy like this gets started, it's a 15 minute soliloquy where he never comes up for air. A droning din. What a hoot. Hey, it's a consumer society and guys like this think they're winning at the game.

All done in service of the ride - even for this guy - there's a ride in there somewhere!

[William]

He doesn't appear to be someone with a lot of cache in the business, neither racing pedigree or design/fabrication pedigree. It appears (according to this article) that his only real point is tapping into the wallet of highly paid tech works by creating the illusion of high-end exclusivity.

but he says his shop will be the highest-end bicycle shop in Seattle, with offerings that will tip the wallet scales at $20,000 or more.

He said he has seen bicycles replace high-end cars as success symbols in the Silicon Valley, with bike rides replacing pricey rounds of golf for client meetings in many cases.

"It's only catering to the top-shelf customer," Hedrick said.


Not that there is anything wrong with that.:bike:

If you're griping about the price, then you aren't his target clientele.:no:







:rolleyes:

William

[William]

Merged threads...








William

[SoCalSteve]

How do you know it's not a great handling or riding bike? If someone doesn't need a custom geo and can fit on one of these bikes what really makes one of Nics bikes a better proposition? I agree that Nic's fabrication and attention to detail is premium and you pay for the pleasure. If I had the money I'd have a Crumpton in the garage as well, but alas I don't.

My point being is that yes he isn't a 'custom' frame builder and he isn't offering anything really different to most brands really. He is offering a reasonably priced carbon frame which you can spec out to your wallets limit. It's the customer determining the final price really.

:-)

If one doesn't need a custom bike, then there are many off the shelf bike frames to choose from, yes? And, any bike store can outfit it with as cheap or expensive components as you want.

He is not bringing anything special to the table except to say his bikes will be the most expensive. Does he say why they will be or the point in that? No. He offers a cheap molded Asian bike frame to which you can spend big or little money on to out fit it. I could do this from my garage.

Do not see the point.

[weisan]

This pal can do whatever he wants for all I care.

[summilux]

Was that meant to be "Azeite" olive oil?

Maybe/probably. There was cases of the stuff in local Portuguese grocer. Right next to those really nice egg tarts. Tastes better than the premium Italian olive oil we can find here.

[oldpotatoe]

Sorry, I still find it offensive. He is focused on selling expensive bikes not great bikes for each individual rider, which may be expensive. Customer service seems to be missing plus I do not see any reason why I would put trust in his frame design.

I have some expensive bikes and they are not big box brands. There are numerous great small US frame makers. If I was getting a carbon bike it would be a Crumpton.

Jeff

'Offensive'?? You are personally 'offended'??

Seen this before when referring to the $ of something. Sorry, don't get the offensive' part. Scammers who take advantage of old retired ladies is 'offensive', big $ bikes isn't, IMHO.

[jlwdm]

'Offensive'?? You are personally 'offended'??

Seen this before when referring to the $ of something. Sorry, don't get the offensive' part. Scammers who take advantage of old retired ladies is 'offensive', big $ bikes isn't, IMHO.

Read all the posts before you respond. I do find his approach offensive. I am in a service industry and I don't see service in his approach. Too much focus on selling the most expensive bikes just for the sake of selling the most expensive.

I have no problem with the prices of things. My first custom was $10,000 with only $1000 wheels. I spend a lot on watches and audio/equipment because I enjoy them. I don't care what anyone else spends their money on. I have no complaint with expensive pumps, bike clothes, street clothes or anything else. I am just only buy things I like, not things because they are expensive.

His approach is offensive to me.

Jeff

[beeatnik]

Where have I heard this before . . . ? ;)

I must admit I don't get the whole "expensive bicycle as a display of wealth" thing. It's . . . a bicycle.... Anyone gainfully employed who prioritizes cycling to a high degree can manage to buy whatever bicycle they like, regardless of price.

Ya wanna impress me? Show me your Lambo Aventadore. That you bought for cash. New. But please get away from me with your expensive bicycle. (Insert bicycle bell sound effect here.)

You live in LA, right?

Guys I ride with who own 10 large custom are well compensated professionals who aren't trying to impress anyone. They're more interested in finding a livable 1000 sq ft home for under $700,000.

The cats on my Sat ride who own 20 large big box bikes, they spend $500 on anodized chains and housing and don't want to be the only guy in the group who isn't on THM cranks. They're trying to impress someone. And, yes, they don't finance their $150,000 plus vehicles

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/571/20984127534_7cec8d155c_o.jpg

Ferrari owner
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/611/20897516913_7ddf00e309_b.jpg

https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5590/14943234968_dc2754d771_o.jpg

These Rca's are owned by "CEO Club" riders. Check the ano chainring bolts.
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7750/18280054295_103cbdc2f9_b.jpg

https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3862/15022831392_56d488241a_b.jpg

[oldpotatoe]

Read all the posts before you respond. I do find his approach offensive. I am in a service industry and I don't see service in his approach. Too much focus on selling the most expensive bikes just for the sake of selling the most expensive.

I have no problem with the prices of things. My first custom was $10,000 with only $1000 wheels. I spend a lot on watches and audio/equipment because I enjoy them. I don't care what anyone else spends their money on. I have no complaint with expensive pumps, bike clothes, street clothes or anything else. I am just only buy things I like, not things because they are expensive.

His approach is offensive to me.

Jeff

Ok, just don't understand how his approach could be 'offensive', his selling manner, focus. Don't want to argue, sorry, just don't understand....selling the most expensive thing, 'just cuz they can' is the MO of just about every product/retailer/boutique there is. Ain't gonna buy one nor a $1000 pair of shoes either but not offended, IMHO of course.

[54ny77]

Needs more "curate."

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/f/fc/Walken-Cowbell.jpg

[dgauthier]

Ok, just don't understand how his approach could be 'offensive' (. . .)

Unless you're just getting caught up in semantics, I couldn't imagine how you *couldn't* understand, Oldpotatoe. Cycling, besides being a terrific sport, has a beauty and purity that inspires great devotion in many enthusiasts. (Don't tell me you don't know what I'm talking about.) When someone introduces crass conspicuous consumption to cycling -- *and nothing else* -- it offends those who are genuinely devoted. It's like wiping one's a$$ with the American flag, or the Bible, or (insert your favorite important thing here). It's just as offensive as when racers dope. It's phony. They're cr*pping on the sport.

Hey, nobody is begrudging anyone the right to put whatever product they like out there, and letting the market decide. But all those people complaining loudly that they find a product offensive, well, that's just the sound of the market deciding.

[thirdgenbird]

I'm not offended and I don't see the parallels to the examples provided.

I'm also not the type of guy to be offended by lowball offers. Some other person's opinion of value or willingness to release funds doesn't hurt me or impact my feelings.

I might poke fun at an overpriced product or lowball offer but it does nothing to my character or the feeling I get when I ride my bike.

[J. Anquetil]

In Seattle and not buy a frame from Steve Hampsten...??? Silly.

[KidWok]

Btw...this shop closed a couple of months ago.

Tai

[justinrchan]

Btw...this shop closed a couple of months ago.

Tai

I noticed it had closed up. Do you know what happened?

[beeatnik]

Btw...this shop closed a couple of months ago.

Tai

And you updated because of schadenfreude? Or did some cats have bets on how long a "bad idea" could be viable?

Hope the small business owner moves on to bigger and better.

[ultraman6970]

Why it doesnt surprise me at all.

Btw...this shop closed a couple of months ago.

Tai

[zetroc]

Sell to the classes, eat with the masses.

[KidWok]

And you updated because of schadenfreude? Or did some cats have bets on how long a bad idea could be viable?

Hope the small business owner moves on to bigger and better.

Nope...just thought I'd mention it. I'm a commercial real estate broker. This shop was in my neighborhood and a friend asked me to look into the space now available for lease for her business. I was wondering what happened to the shop and Googled it. I have no idea what happened. Paceline forum thread came up as a result and I remembered this thread from awhile back. Thought some of the people who were discussing it before would want to know...'cus we discuss things here.

Try projecting opinions and making poor assumptions less. This was my first post in awhile...thanks for the warm welcome back.

Tai

[beeatnik]

Context, buddy.

[Llewellyn]

And you updated because of schadenfreude? Or did some cats have bets on how long a bad idea could be viable?

Hope the small business owner moves on to bigger and better.

Wow, did you gargle with battery acid this morning :eek:

[beeatnik]

Did you read the whole thread?

[Exonerv]

I did read the entire thread for context...

I tend to avoid controversy in general and especially on Internet forums, because really, what's the point...but I found the response to be snarky and without cause. So what if it's been 3 years? The immediate responses reflected some members were interested. Topics get recycled, zombie threads return from the dead...welcome to the Paceline.

To provide a little context of my own, I have found Tai (Kidwok) to be one of the good guys around here - and in real life, and I'm glad to see him posting again. When two of my sons moved to Seattle, he went out of his way to welcome them to the city and to expose them to the local cycling scene. I recently reached out to Tai for assistance on a Craigslist find and he was more than willing to help. I recall he used to run some of the intro group rides in Seattle while riding the heaviest thing he could find to get a decent workout. He adds to the cycling community, his community, and to this place and I'm glad he's here.

[beeatnik]

I did read the entire thread for context...

I tend to avoid controversy in general and especially on Internet forums, because really, what's the point...but I found the response to be snarky and without cause. So what if it's been 3 years?

Did you read the dismissive criticism of the concept? What other conclusion would one draw from KW's post other than "bad idea, good riddance" or "can't believe they made it to year 3." KW could have disclosed upfront, "hey guys I'm a commercial RE broker and this spot that was mentioned here just closed. what a coinkeedink."

Anyway, just asked his intent. No need to be hypersensitive.



I find the whole idea of this shop offensive, and I am from the area. I will check it out when I am in Seattle next. The shop sounds all about the amount of money you spend instead of getting a better bike and having to pay more.

His website sells a watch for $500. He better change the price to $5000 to be in line with his high price goal.

Jeff

If he can somehow manage to build a $2,500 frame into a $20,000 bicycle, then a nearby Parlee dealer can build a custom painted Z0 with the same build spec into a $30,000 bicycle. Not clear what the value proposition is--at least the paint on a Ritte is cool.

Have those plywood sheets ready, they will be shuttering up that place in 6 months.

People who want to spend big $$$ without custom will want bling factor with top end Specialized or Trek. His bikes are nothing to show off to your friends.

whatever

PT Barnum once said....

Funny how much more charitable people are on this thread compared to the original. I think this is a horrendous business model that can only succeed by feeding off uninformed tech money, but then again, at least it's bikes and not Segways, I guess...

[mcteague]

Did you read the dismissive criticism of the concept? What other conclusion would one draw from KW's post other than "bad idea, good riddance" or "can't believe they made it to year 3." KW could have disclosed upfront, "hey guys I'm a commercial RE broker and this spot that was mentioned here just closed. what a coinkeedink."

Anyway, just asked his intent. No need to be hypersensitive.

Says the pot to the kettle.

Tim

[R3awak3n]

shop is closed, dude is out of a job, Seattle is a mess in terms of real estate/housing prices.

time to close this thread

[ducati2]

My guitar teacher is next door to the shop so I walked by it weekly. It was pretty nice and always had very cool race bikes in the window. No way they were over $10,000 bikes. I always thought they were so laser focused as race bikes that they would have a limited clientele. The window bikes almost always had incredible saddle to bar drops that would not work for most people, I am at about 10cm drop and they made my back ache just looking at them. The design of the frames looked thoughtful with the exception, for me at least, of the chainstay mounted brakes. I don’t believe the shop flailed due to price of their bikes but more on the limited market for such bikes. We have a shop in Seattle called Metier and they sell high end bikes....Colnago, Allied, Open, Factor, etc. I live a few blocks away and buy cheap stuff there but see $10,000 - $15,000 bikes rolling out with every visit. Not my thing anymore to spend big money on bikes but Metier has done a great job cultivating that customer. I think they are the biggest retailer of Open in the country.

[weaponsgrade]

I appreciated the update and don't think it was to be smug. It takes a lot to strike out on your own and throw yourself to the wolves. I'm sure he learned a lot through the experience and I hope he lands on his feet.

[72gmc]

It's in my neighborhood. Never went in, but I saw racers in shop kit last cross season. I give 'em credit for contributing on a local level.

Good to see you here, kidwok. And that is one nice guitar shop, ducati2.

[seanile]

Thought some of the people who were discussing it before would want to know...'cus we discuss things here.
yep.
theres no need for the sass directed at you..

[KidWok]

From a real estate standpoint, I'm guessing that he had a three year lease and it ran out. Rate in that building is now close to $3/sf/mo gross and I think he had just under 2,000 sf, so rent would have been at least starting at ~$5k with a 3% annual increase.

I never saw that many Hedrick bikes rolling around...so that begs the question of whether enough bikes were sold to pay for their brick and mortar store.

I find it comical that the "only conclusion" to me mentioning this is that I was being mean-spirited. Reminds me of my ex. I say something, it gets twisted into something completely different, she argues against the projection (which she doesn't realize was just arguing against her own counterpoint), and insists that there was nothing else I could have meant. Pretty used that and can spot it from pretty far away. I did try to call it out to beeatnik, as did others, with an assumption that he could own his behavior, but he just dug in deeper. No point wasting any more time on that.

I don't think paying $20k for a bike is a sign of foolishness. Hell...my collection of bike is probably still worth more than that and I carry insurance for $30k of coverage just in case. What's the difference between someone like me that has $20+k spread out over a lot of bikes and someone who has it all in one bike? To a person that doesn't get into bikes at all, very little.

As someone who also spent some time behind the scenes in the bike biz, I think there was some very fair criticism of Hedrick's business model and how the owner portrayed themselves. Back in 2006, I spent a few months working as a mortgage broker and had all these small wholesale banks trying to push two-year ARMS on people with 500-600 credit scores. No-doc, low-doc, self-employed...they were happy to originate the loan. So I asked "How do you expect to get paid back?" They said "We don't worry about that...we package the loans up with other loans that look better and sell them on the wholesale market." Even a finance newbie could see that wasn't going to last. Some of this stuff isn't rocket science.

I read this thread when it first came out. By then, I had left the bike biz and was in real estate. I knew at that time that Hedrick was located in an up-and-coming neighborhood with moderately high rent rate. I was puzzled why they chose this neighborhood, which is known for having a lot of middle-class young families. As a reference point, G&O Family Cyclery does REALLY well and they were almost directly across the street from Hedrick before they moved one block north after their shop blew up. I knew that the Seattle and Bellevue bike markets are very different. One bike shop owner who had shops on both sides of the lake noted that the Seattle market was heavier on $1,000-$1,500 steel commuter bikes and Bellevue was heavier on the high-end CF race bikes. These are the things I can call out in addition to other things that people on this thread have addressed such as the price of the frameset and complete bikes, the lack of reputation of the designer, the business marketing to a niche within a niche, etc. Again...not rocket science.

I do both sales and leasing, so I work with landlords and tenants quite a bit. Both parties can be unreasonable and there are fragile egos everywhere. Honestly...real estate is the easy part of the job. Most of what I do is managing egos. Fragile egos hate criticism. If you ever want to see a grown person throw a fit like a petulant child, just throw in a casually realistic observation at someone who wants to believe their opinion is the only one that matters. I deal with this daily with my clients, so it doesn't at all phase me when it happens in an internet forum.

I haven't posted as much but still lurk pretty consistently. For the most part, this is a pretty awesome community and I still value the experience of being a part of it.

Tai

[beeatnik]

KW, thanks for the thread necromancy. And insulting me and your ex.



I find it comical that the "only conclusion" to me mentioning this is that I was being mean-spirited. Reminds me of my ex. I say something, it gets twisted into something completely different, she argues against the projection (which she doesn't realize was just arguing against her own counterpoint), and insists that there was nothing else I could have meant. Pretty used that and can spot it from pretty far away. I did try to call it out to beeatnik, as did others, with an assumption that he could own his behavior, but he just dug in deeper. No point wasting any more time on that.

I haven't posted as much but still lurk pretty consistently. For the most part, this is a pretty awesome community and I still value the experience of being a part of it.

Tai

[Burnette]

KW, thanks for the thread necromancy. And insulting me and your ex.

I think it's time to tap the brakes.

[beeatnik]

The disc brakes, Burnette.

[Burnette]

The disc brakes, Burnette.

Wow, I see you've been at this one since 2015! Ha! It's closed and people have moved on, way too much heat for such old news.

The real estate angle is interesting one though, my wife is an accountant in a real estate firm. You learn a lot abut a town by the goings on of property sales.

Now go ride a Canyon Aeroad Disc and do some late braking down mountain passes, it will release some of that misplaced stress!

[Heisenberg]

Wow, I see you've been at this one since 2015! Ha! It's closed and people have moved on, way too much heat for such old news.

The real estate angle is interesting one though, my wife is an accountant in a real estate firm. You learn a lot abut a town by the goings on of property sales.

Now go ride a Canyon Aeroad Disc and do some late braking down mountain passes, it will release some of that misplaced stress!

No, no, no, I think part of it is many LBS dreamers thinking they'll be the second coming of CC (except LOOK AT OUR HAUS BRAND). A tragically faulted dream? Fo' sho. That place rose from Little Rock, Arkansas to become a $30m biz at buyout with most of their exceptional EBITDA coming from hardgoods - proof that location, location, location ain't a thing, because INTRAWEBS.

Except that it is, if you think about it right.

And everyone forgets.

Every. Time.

[Bruce K]

Just caught this thread and the tone towards some members has been less than respectful from some.

At least one user has received a 2 week time out to reflect on their "attitude" here on the forum.

We are discussing if the mods need to take any other action or if this (hopefully) will settle things down.

Probably time to move on.

BK