Hi Guys,
Firstly an introduction; Kieran here, the founder of Radical Bicycle Co based in sunny Shropshire (UK).
Some MAY have seen a few snippets, but we have been testing an LCE930 frame & the M820 for just over 12 months, called the ‘Supacat’. Ultimately, this was just an excuse for me to try something completely far right field to what we normally do…. But to be honest, the surprises never stopped coming. The short version of this story is we have decided to add this frame to our line up;
But there is so much more substance to us and this decision.
We have been fabricating steel frames right here in the UK for 4 years now, with great success (in fact, one our models received a hardtail of the year nomination last year). We also, just last year branched out and contracted to a factory in Asia to make a more budget friendly alternative to the line up.
That aside, over 12 months of running the Supacat, the experience has been nothing bar pleasure. The feedback from not just people seeing the frame, but also riding has been incredible. Swinging legs over other larger scale brands left me scratching my head as to how this frame is just, to simply put, brilliant.
So that leads us to this present day. I will be first to hold my hands up; I did not always support brands who utilise an open mold approach. I have ran with the process of mass producing our design, even had a brief conversation with Gavin on modifying moulds for the LCE930, but here’s the fact; I am small business owner self funded, when the bill for doing this hit £80k, the realisation that it just was too far out of reach had hit home hard.
So here we are. We all know there are other brands using this frame, but I would genuinely like to think that what set us apart is this; an open hand. I’d like to take a strong bet on how many brands would come out and say the same; but I am not here to hide anything. This opportunity will give me the chance to offer a product to a market that I just could not otherwise reach. But not only that; our focus is on UK fabrication of our steel frames. We have a strong history of fabrication and customer support, and have the track record to prove that. But this is a starting block that could really help us as a brand, reach the more mainstream audience. Everyone has to start somewhere! A little insider knowledge (not yet fully public); I am about to take on a partner and we will be bringing UK fabrication under the Radical banner, AND, they work in the carbon industry, dealing with assessment and repair on carbon bikes. Basically, we are going into this VERY well equipped.
The plan here is to offer this as a frame only, extension of warranties and a stock of spares etc for a higher level of support for our customer base. The cost, when you factor in the 34% import fees here in the UK, really is not miles out from what someone would pay for their own DIY; but for me, it’s not all about the money, there’s just so much more this could offer.
So there it is… probably one of the only people working in the industry to lay their cards out on the table as much as that. I really do hope we can gain your support because this forum to me personally, has been nothing but an asset in the beginning of this! If anyone ever wants to chat, ask questions, just hit us up; this is not a sales post, just getting out in the community.
Check out the bikes; the yellow was the initial frame that is 12 months old (seen on Pinkbike/bikeradar), the red is going to be the production finish.
Thanks guys, and it’s great to finally get out there.
