Foffa Bikes

You misunderstand - it doesn't matter whether it's his surname, first name or nickname for his cat, the Foffa brand was first seen on some shit bikes, and has ever since been tainted by association. That's not unique to Foffa, Raleigh have a hard time getting a premium price for their better bikes because everybody's first impression of Raleigh is of sturdy 3-speed roadster, whereas Colnago gets over the odds for his Chinese carbon bikes because Ernesto built a strong reputation over decades of hand built steel before he started outsourcing production. A Chinese carbon Colnago isn't necessarily better than a Chinese carbon Raleigh, but the brand value is much higher among cycling enthusiasts.

At this point, Foffa's problem is that his brand is so badly compromised that he actually has to supply bikes which are clearly better than Fujis and Charges at the same price point in order to recover, something which, as you say, is probably not feasible for a small company. Even if the capital were in place to fund such a brand recovery plan, any sensible person would see that there are better ways to spend it. That, of course, is the great peril of using your own name as your brand; if it goes tits up, you probably need a Deed Poll before trying again.

I understand perfectly, I'm more pointing out the fickleness of the forum. If it does go tits up it'll more likely be because not enough people in places like this gave the guy a chance. One of the biggest influencers of brands is word of mouth (and indeed one of the most effective forms of advertising) and the longer people here bad-mouth Foffa the more responsible we'll be (as a community) for it's demise should that happen. Hopefully this won't happen. However, as a cyclist and a member of this community if it did it would be something that I think we could be thoroughly ashamed of. Apart from the truly nasty twisted people in the community who could then turn around and say 'see, I told you so!'. With some sort of sickly glow of self-satisfaction.

Seems to me that Foffa is just getting a lot of feedback. Some can be used, some ignored but it is feedback nonetheless.
The difference is that Foffa is on a forum where people can discuss and give feedback whereas Mr Charge and Fuji San are not.
If Mr Charge did post a message of defence and got into a discussion I am sure the same responses would be given. Maybe Mr Charge knows that it is probably best to stay out of forums along with the unbeatable gang mentality.

^ or maybe Mr Charge and Fuji San know that the unbeatable gang of the forum will continue to buy their bikes regardless because they lack imagination and in reality desperately want to fit in within their niche, replete with the approval of all the other 'individuals' ;)

Haha, where was that picture taken?

F offa.

Hello again, let's clarify a few more points:

Tomd, like I mentioned earlier our bikes start at £485 (not sure where you get 650 from), our components are branded (our cranks and saddles from the same guys that BLB use, our frames from the same factory that Surly and Charge use, etc..) and we use Double Butted 4130 Cr-Mo as opposed to plain gauge.

Mdcc_tester and Wmialil, I really appreciate the feedback on the Lo-pro and we will look into it.

Edscoble, OTP Charge Plug 599 vs custom built Prima from 485. Where is the extra 50?

Mdcc_tester, not one of the components that we fit on the current bikes are from China, they all come from reliable sources (see note above to tomd) which took a while to establish and our bikes are assembled by local staff on above local wages. And not all of our customers have 2000 pounds to spend on a Roberts bike.

VanUden, you seem to be the one of the few people to understand the implications of trying to run a genuine business and rely on these forums to actually get constructive feedback from. We have constantly invited all these faceless individuals to the shop to discuss ideas and improve what we do. The points you have raised are valid and we really appreciate the support you are giving us. We are a local business that employs local people and assembles the bikes here as opposed to most manufacturers that are competing with us.

Oz, it is taking some time to put together the right team although we do have already quite a few people doing their bit. Anyway are you asking for a job?

Mdcc_tester, what I find it frustrating is that people keep referring back to the fact that our first bikes were built by a mechanic we no longer do business with. We have taken on board a lot of the feedback we have received and I am just not sure why you keep dragging up issues which we have clearly dealt with long time ago and moved on from.

Sushigeezer, the wheels are 32h with a 42mm Alloy Deep machined rim laced to japanese sealed bearings track hubs. Didnt think it was bad value for £185 for the set but I guess you cant please everybody.

RPM, You say to 'keep listening to the people who know what they are talking about..' so we would like to invite you to come down and help us produce a bike which you would trust to ride on the track or road at an affordable price.

In a way I am glad that we got so much debate on this forum because, like Kerley mentioned, we got plenty of good feedback as a result and our bikes are getting better and better.
We have made and still are making plenty of customers happy which keep recommending us to their friends. We have already addressed any issues that someone might have without question and always tried to excel with pre and post customer service.

So in summary, I can appreciate that people are entitled to their opinions on forums like this one but please get the facts straight.

We are a local business that assembles the bikes locally and try to run an honest and approachable business. I am not aware of anybody that offers fully custom builds made of DB 4130 CrMo steel frames starting at £485. Also I am not aware of any bike company that encourages the 'community' to give feedback directly to the manufacturer in order to influence the product.

We invite ANYBODY with constructive feedback to deal with us direct including me Dani F0ffa, the guy that started it.
What I don't fully understand is that on a forum designed to encourage and improve cycling such vindictive and offensive feedback is given.

What else can we do other than keep listening to people's feedback and keep improving what we do?

All the best,

dani

^ repped

Mdcc_tester, not one of the components that we fit on the current bikes are from China, they all come from reliable sources

I was using "China" to cover both Taiwan (Republic of China) and the PRC, both of which are reliable sources used by pretty much everybody in the industry, so there was no implied criticism of your sourcing, I was just pointing out that the amount of local content in a Foffa is not much higher than in any other bike.

Mdcc_tester, what I find it frustrating is that people keep referring back to the fact that our first bikes were built by a mechanic we no longer do business with.

I was careful to point out that the current product is not beset with exactly the same issues as the early ones, but the reputational damage caused by your first attempts is undeniable.

Dani is spot on. The detractors will maybe give him a chance now? He has listened, and he has improved. He's still listening, and trying to improve. That said, there is ONE sad-sack***** who will not let it rest. He can't. He'll be back, on the attack, just because, just because, just because.

I don't know if Foffa bikes are for me, but I totally appreciate Dani Foffa's endeavour.

*****not mdcc_tester.

lots of good points there danifoffa but just a couple of things... first, the fact that your parts come from the same factory as other branded parts does not make them branded. for example, you find many cheap carbon frames on ebay that are sold unbranded because they didn't meet the standards of the big company that ordered them (those pinarellos spring to mind). so, just because they come from the same place doesn't necessarily guarantee the same standard. (EDIT: the fact that they're unbranded doesn't mean they're poor quality either)
also, about people dredging up your previous issues, i reckon that's going to keep happening until you get more public feedback from new satisfied customers so you'll probably just have to learn to deal with it.

finally, i reckon your prima builds have actually looked really nice and while i don't personally like the ciao i think that will do good too. just keep patient and eventually your brand will get stronger. unfortunately your previous mechanic really did a great job of wrecking it in the first place.
good luck

That said, there is ONE sad-sack***** who will not let it rest. He can't. He'll be back, on the attack, just because, just because, just because.

Pot kettle no?

Dani

I have to say you conduct yourself with good grace in the face of our cynicism. I applaud that you wish to grow and develop and find the spirit in which you take our comments commendable.

Good luck moving things forwards.

Well done

James

wallop!

Nothing fit my feeling of dani's post better than that gif.

very true

Dani

I have to say you conduct yourself with good grace in the face of our cynicism. I applaud that you wish to grow and develop and find the spirit in which you take our comments commendable.

Good luck moving things forwards.

Well done

James

missmouse has clearly got hold of prancer's log-in details ;)

Chapeau.

vanerrgeden

Oh, and thanks to whomever has been tagging. My girlfriend has now started calling me Van Brooding and thinks it's hilarious. No really, thanks, no I mean it, really.

..there is ONE sad-sack***** who will not let it rest. He can't. He'll be back, on the attack, just because, just because, just because.

*****not mdcc_tester.

Pot kettle no?

No. I have championed giving people a chance to have a business. Lord knows it ain't easy. I tried running my own business once, and could make a £1,000 in a day, then nothing for weeks. I couldn't handle the stress of trying to keep the whole thing afloat. So, I chickened out, and scarpered back to working for someone else. That's why I respect those who are busting a gut, to make a business work, in what is still an horrendous economic environment.

By the way, HUGE rep to VanUden, for trying to bring a little civility back to this forum.

Christ, u lot love a moan on here don't you

Christ, u lot love a moan on here don't you

:D popcorn out

Christ, u lot love a moan on here don't you

it's "you".

Sorry sir, didn't realise I was being marked.