Recumbent - Burley News

Looks like Burley is done with bikes for awhile.

http://www.registerguard.com/news/2006/09/09/a1.burley.0909.p1.php

This topic remains pretty hot on the tandem thread, if you haven't noticed. The announcement from the new Burley owner that bike production was being dropped is really too bad, but more so in the case of tandems and recumbents than single bikes. Not taking anything away from Burley's singles, but a small US based manufacturer like Burley always seemed better suited to the underserved 'niches' in the industry. Just how many single bike manufacturers are there? Orders of magnitude more than tandems and recumbent manufacturers combined, would be my guess.

With strong products and dealers, Burley was able to fend off the competition in rainwear and bicycle trailers for many years. Tandems and recumbents may not have been equally profitable, but gathered a loyal following and provided for diversity in the product line that mitigated some of the ups and downs in the market. Maybe bike manufacturing will be moved offshore. I suppose worse things could happen.

One thing worse would be if any of the handful of dirt bag cooperative wreckers get to keep their jobs, but that's another story.

Something that Burley recumbent owners might want to consider is which replaceable parts are non-standard and do you have a spare on hand? Seat backs, seat sliders and chain idlers come to mind. You can always make a custom cable set if needed, and, come to think of it, other manufacturers' idlers may be adaptable. Since Burley doesn't seem to be answering their phones I guess Burley recumbent owners are on their own for now. I know I'll be contacting my local dealers this week to see what they have on hand.

It's a hot thread over on BROL too

ya i worked there, got screwed,(no i was no a member)now im left holding the bag, if you need any spear parts, good luck, word has it that all except sha/campy. will be auction off, to who?, recumbent parts, i.e. seat back parts,,,good luck i guessed if you worked there you would have to have been hellen keller no to see it coming,,,but still a local guy buys it to save it and to keep the jobs, than fires every one except anyone who makes $8 per hour in trailers, the new hires....thanks Mike

It's such a shame - that made some quality bikes. The idea of scrapping every bike is ludicrous. Get rid of some low-selling models and go, but not all of them. I see the company folding completely now.

It's such a shame - that made some quality bikes. The idea of scrapping every bike is ludicrous. Get rid of some low-selling models and go, but not all of them. I see the company folding completely now.

I would hate to see them fold completely. But it does not look good.

I guess I do not have good luck with bikes. I had a BikeE CT and now a Burley Canto. I wonder what other bike that I can by that will not have a corporate shut down.

It'd be coool to see the people who got laid off start up thier own bike company making tandems and bents.

who are you and how are you awear of burley?

I would hate to see them fold completely. But it does not look good.

I guess I do not have good luck with bikes. I had a BikeE CT and now a Burley Canto. I wonder what other bike that I can by that will not have a corporate shut down.

Wal-Mart house brand??

Steelboy, so which Mike are you- MIke P.?

Steelboy, so which Mike are you- MIke P.? Don G.