Manufacturing some bike parts

Sooooo...... My boyfriend works for this company that basically brokers manufacturing with factories in China, and they told him he could endeavor his own project if he wants. So we were talking and we thought that making bike parts to be sold in packages could be kinda cool.. I don't mean anything super technical, we were thinking of combining a package of handlebar grips (oury imitiation), toe clips and lights (knog frog imitation)...... and then each item in the package would match in color.

Purely aesthetic and totally cheesy, yes, but the flashy fixie trend is in full effect over here(and obviously in London, just look at the board... hipsters!). We could sell these to bike shops super cheap, on ebay, etc.

So I'm just wondering what you think of this idea? (other than how obviously trite and bandwagon-hopper-esque it is)

Or maybe somebody has a better idea of what to do with access to very inexpensive manufacturing facilities?

Nothing wrong with making money from a "trend". Only thing i would be wary of would be if the parts were safe or not. I'm guessing you wouldn't be able to import them if they didn't comply to EU regulations but i wouldn't be surprised if they weren't that stringent.

Better produce something useful. Like nice looking, inexpensive 41/43/47 tooth chainrings. In 1/8", 3/32", 130mm. Maybe 110mm and 144mm.

it's a good idea but it's a fine line between imitation and countfeit. oury and knog have spent time and money desiging those products why dont you design your own products?

Or get someone to design them for you. (For a percentage of course)

Or just do what every one else does and buy them from the same factory but put your cool fixie brand name on them = much cheaper as you don't have to tool up for anything.

As the fixed gear scene demonstrates pretty much above all other current trends, it really doesnt matter if the part in question is good, practical, or even appropriate in use, as long as it lloks cool, and is a brand that is percieved as cool, then it will sell.

and be sharpish about it as the 'fixed gear scene' is overdue a move onto something else.

Look for a more current idea around retro geared bikes maybe!

cheap 700c spok immitations!

Depends if you want to make quick cash or create a brand. The whole sprocket idea is something me and a mate have been talking over (don't steal it haha!), He was going to get a run of a hundred done for me for about a grand. No one has really grabbed the frame (steel) market by the balls yet, appart from BLB and Volume. Ok there's loads of creates etc. about, but there is a lot of room for a mid priced (£200 - 350), well designed / marketed frame.

This is my mates company: http://www.bsdforever.com/

good luck

^ BSA or BSD?

Mavic IO...U??

http://www.bike-eu.com/products/3401/karbona-carbon-wheels.html

Depends if you want to make quick cash or create a brand. The whole sprocket idea is something me and a mate have been talking over (don't steal it haha!), He was going to get a run of a hundred done for me for about a grand. No one has really grabbed the frame (steel) market by the balls yet, appart from BLB and Volume. Ok there's loads of creates etc. about, but there is a lot of room for a mid priced (£200 - 350), well designed / marketed frame.

This is my mates company: http://www.bsdforever.com/

good luck
Your mate runs BSD? Grant?
Sick company. I've hit loads of their parts in the past.

Aye he's a good guy, his company's really starting to come together. Likesay I've talked to him about the sprocket thing, he's had frames (fixed) priced up out there too, thats basically as far as he's got. Saying that there's a lot of glasgow BMXers that ride fixed and I know he's keen to do something, just probably not under the BSD banner.

@ kattt - the accessory package is a good idea, but as said before may be you should get designers in for individuality.

Hey katt! Get some nice classic stainless chain rings done. :)

i thought about chain rings but those are something that people seem to buy more for the brand/quality matters more than it does for handlebar grips... Any suggestions on what makes a good chainring design?

About designers, I don't know how to use the software to design something on my own. I guess the original idea here is more the package thing - bling out your unipac with minimal effort. I don't mean it has to be a direct copy of oury or knog, but something of that style.

Creating a brand is also something I need to figure out, we were thinking of calling it USCH - that means yuck in Swedish. So, ya know, start reppin' that shit.

Thanks a lot for your feedback.... I have to make something like this work so I can come to the Jimbilly + Ms Socks wedding ya know. ;-)

and be sharpish about it as the 'fixed gear scene' is overdue a move onto something else.

Look for a more current idea around retro geared bikes maybe!

This.

The pista-dex is in decline and is unlikely to come back IMO.

Look at the value/slow sales of bits on here and ebay. This time last year any half decent frame capable of conversion was hitting £150 easy, now there're back down below £100.

Ppl have just realised that building is not worth it and overall there's no point in spunking loads of money the way they did before.

Also how much longer is the whole bright colour thing going to last?... maybe see if you can find someone who works for a high st fashion Co Topshop etc. and ask where they see things going.

i would listen to the above advice if high st fashion knew what was fasionable when it's actually in fashion

Fair point, but Hi st buys orders their manufacturing way in advice. they sell the most to the majority.

This is all about cheap parts to the masses - ergo hi st is more relevant... this is sounding like an alevel business studies project.

oh just a thought - some guy was saying the fixie wave was about to hit amsterdam... maybe look into dutch tastes?

Doesnt really matter that the fixie fashion seems to be cooling down, cycling as a whole is absolutley booming.

Just have some stuff with broad appeal that is typically high priced here. There is already chinese companies doing knog copies for £3 posted a pair, and they have multi coloured flash too!

http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.30051
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.22361
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.30491