Guru Cycles bankrupt...again

[Robbos]

http://www.bicycleretailer.com/north-america/2016/01/04/guru-declares-bankruptcy#.Vov6DcArLyI

Third time now. They make some lovely looking bikes, but seems like the third bankruptcy could and should be the final call. One can blame all sorts of factors- the big three (Spec, Trek, and Giant), the Canadian Dollar, the internet-but three times speaks to internal problems. Add to that I personally know people and businesses that have been burnt by them in their previous bankruptcies. Who ever would lend them money now?

[MattTuck]

The history of the custom bike industry is littered with bankruptcies... it is such a small industry with no real importance, that it is a pretty pure model of capitalism, and especially the phenomenon of creative destruction.

[RonW87]

Wouldn't the low CDN dollar have helped (not hurt) them? Maybe it came too late or, more likely, other factors.

[FlashUNC]

So wait, selling off your brand and IP and fit business and then licensing it all back didn't work?

Ya don't say.

[deechee]

dollar might've hurt their material costs?

I have no idea how bankruptcies work, but I get the feeling Robert P was the VP of sales back in the early 2000's when I bought my first road bike (the Flite) from him. If management never changed, I'm not really surprised.

On the other hand, Dorel has some mighty deep pockets and I get the feeling they would like a boutique brand next to their huge array of big box brands; Cannondale, Schwinn, GT etc.

[commonguy001]

That may explain the huge discounts on Guru complete bikes at biketiresdirect where the smallest discount is currently 40%.

We have a local dealer that stocks them and they're alway super pretty bikes but for the entry coin I'll stick with my Moots.

[bigman]

Where on the bikes direct site?

[commonguy001]

Where on the bikes direct site?

BikeTiresdirect.com
you missed the Tires part

[93legendti]

That's too bad.

[kingpin75s]

I can only speak from my experience but their Titanium stuff has always been pretty nice and a value on the used market. I realized for the number of bikes I have, it is amazing that my NOS 2003 Guru Veloci'Ti built up in 2006 is the only "race" road bike I have owned or ridden in a decade. Nice Ti ride and nice thick chain stays.

It was my first build from frame for myself and in retrospect all choices were pretty good as the only changes I have made in 10 years is a move to short and shallow flared 3T Ergonova bars.

[Tony T]

Liquidation Sale:
http://www.gurucycles.com/demoend-of-line

2 conti tubes: $4 (Can't believe they have this listed)

[bcroslin]

site is unresponsive. I wonder if the Paceline vultures are picking the bones clean?

[biker72]

Another opportunity for Brian Case.....:D

[ultraman6970]

Meanwhile kindofhuman expanding to the point of thinking of starting a UCI pro team by 2017.

[ANAO]

Meanwhile kindofhuman expanding to the point of thinking of starting a UCI pro team by 2017.

I think they did?

[ultraman6970]

The article I read said 2017... either way it is interesting because it is a canadian company that is relatively new, and they sell open molds stuff. To think in a pro team you have to have some dough to back up the claim.

[ANAO]

The article I read said 2017... either way it is interesting because it is a canadian company that is relatively new, and they sell open molds stuff. To think in a pro team you have to have some dough to back up the claim.

They have a local team here with us, mostly 3/4's and they seem to have a 1/2 budget. They took our star cross racer, mostly because they offered him free kit.

[Tony T]

New link for the Liquidation Sale:
http://issuu.com/guru_cycles/docs/guru_cycles--2014_end_of_line--en--

2 Conti Tubes still available for $4 ;)

[ANAO]

New link for the Liquidation Sale:
http://issuu.com/guru_cycles/docs/guru_cycles--2014_end_of_line--en--

2 Conti Tubes still available for $4 ;)

Thanks. Just got confirmation for my Flite. $330 is a bloody steal.

[eippo1]

Thanks. Just got confirmation for my Flite. $330 is a bloody steal.

Wow, that is cheap. Last thing I need is another frameset, though.

[ANAO]

Wow, that is cheap. Last thing I need is another frameset, though.

It's something to race on until the new bike is built (which I don't know when that will be). Are these candian prices? If so, this is nuts.

[Tony T]

Wow, that is cheap. Last thing I need is another frameset, though.

There's some Ritchey Bars and Stems for sale.
(and did I mention, 2 Conti tubes for $4 ;))

[ANAO]

Shipping is $50/box, FYI.

[kramnnim]

Wish the prices were in Canadian...

[bcroslin]

There's a bunch of Guru Photons on the road down here in the Tampa Bay area and a Photon R for $1200 is a steal. I've spent time on one and it's such a great handling bike. I feel like Guru had such a bad reputation for customer service that they turned a lot of people off. Their marketing budget seemed to be non-existent and that's a big mistake when your run-of-the-mill road frame starts at $4250.

[davidb]

"but I get the feeling Robert P was the VP of sales back in the early 2000's when I bought my first road bike (the Flite) from him. If management never changed, I'm not really surprised."

[Plum Hill]

New link for the Liquidation Sale:
http://issuu.com/guru_cycles/docs/guru_cycles--2014_end_of_line--en--


Link ia a PITA. Darned thing won't load.

[ANAO]

Link ia a PITA. Darned thing won't load.

Take the MSRP of their frames and subtract 65-75%. That's the short of it.

Also, Reynolds Attacks for $800.

Email customerservice@gurucycles.com for more info (or a direct pamphlet).

[ultraman6970]

Frame prices arent bad at all, they are really liquidating everything.

TOols... hmm...

[Tony T]

More reductions: http://www.gurucycles.com/demoend-of-line