New bike manufacturer - Neil Pryde (maker of windsurfers and sailing stuff)
08-11-10, 03:00 AM
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: London
Posts: 2,420
Bikes: Baum Romano, Brompton S2, Homemade Bamboo!
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 474 Post(s)
Liked 204 Times
in
129 Posts
New bike manufacturer - Neil Pryde (maker of windsurfers and sailing stuff)
I have just seen an email about the official launch of Neil Pryde bikes.
Hong Kong is the base for Neil himself, but his son Mike is the man behind the bikes. He rides with the guys here so a few of us have been aware of the project for a while. The company is a leader in all sorts of sailing technology, especially with carbon fibre. So they have the production knowledge already in house and just had to get design assistance on the specialised bike areas.
Shill Warning: I am in no way connected to the company, but I know a few guys there and I do want to see them succeed.
https://www.neilprydebikes.com
A few guys from our riding group were going to be out helping with a photoshoot (not me, I'm a Clydesdale and Mike asked for riders with a 'pro racer look'), but as of yet I haven't seen any pictures or heard any feed back on the bikes. I'm sure the word will be out soon from the guys who took part in the photoshoot.
If you poke about the website you will see a lot of information on the aerodynamics. I know that the guys were running around trying to borrow certain sizes of other manufacturers* bikes so that direct comparisons could be made during the wind tunnel testing. (*sorry, no names to protect the innocent)
They are taking a direct sales approach, but to many countries. I chatted to Mike and we discussed the experience of outfits like Pedal Force and Bikes Direct. He wanted to give riders a direct link to the manufacturer, but do it at a higher level of quality and service. Neil Pryde is a damn big company so it would have much better resources to do this.
The price for a frame set only is a bit high for me, but I'm not in the market for a bike. The full bike price actually looks OK. If I was looking for a frameset I'd probably ask the guys if they'd do a group-buy for the Hong Kong guys, or wait until they were offering a Sram equipped option.
It is a tough market to launch into, but lets see how they go.
I wouldn't be surprised if they sponsor a team somewhere for exposure, but I'm just guessing (ie no inside knowledge).
Hong Kong is the base for Neil himself, but his son Mike is the man behind the bikes. He rides with the guys here so a few of us have been aware of the project for a while. The company is a leader in all sorts of sailing technology, especially with carbon fibre. So they have the production knowledge already in house and just had to get design assistance on the specialised bike areas.
Shill Warning: I am in no way connected to the company, but I know a few guys there and I do want to see them succeed.
https://www.neilprydebikes.com
A few guys from our riding group were going to be out helping with a photoshoot (not me, I'm a Clydesdale and Mike asked for riders with a 'pro racer look'), but as of yet I haven't seen any pictures or heard any feed back on the bikes. I'm sure the word will be out soon from the guys who took part in the photoshoot.
If you poke about the website you will see a lot of information on the aerodynamics. I know that the guys were running around trying to borrow certain sizes of other manufacturers* bikes so that direct comparisons could be made during the wind tunnel testing. (*sorry, no names to protect the innocent)
They are taking a direct sales approach, but to many countries. I chatted to Mike and we discussed the experience of outfits like Pedal Force and Bikes Direct. He wanted to give riders a direct link to the manufacturer, but do it at a higher level of quality and service. Neil Pryde is a damn big company so it would have much better resources to do this.
The price for a frame set only is a bit high for me, but I'm not in the market for a bike. The full bike price actually looks OK. If I was looking for a frameset I'd probably ask the guys if they'd do a group-buy for the Hong Kong guys, or wait until they were offering a Sram equipped option.
It is a tough market to launch into, but lets see how they go.
I wouldn't be surprised if they sponsor a team somewhere for exposure, but I'm just guessing (ie no inside knowledge).
08-11-10, 04:45 AM
#3
Early riser
Join Date: Oct 2008
Posts: 198
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
There's not a day passes that I think about how there just aren't enough bike manufacturers in the world. It's a big problem for all of us.
08-11-10, 05:05 AM
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Fredericton, NB, Canada
Posts: 1,430
Bikes: 2010 S1, 2011 F75X
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Very cool. They look very nice - I own a couple of Pryde sails - if their bikes are anywhere close to the quality of their windsurfing stuff, they'll be a viable option in the near future
08-11-10, 07:34 AM
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Alexandria, VA
Posts: 1,210
Bikes: Firefly custom Road, Ira Ryan custom road bike, Ira Ryan custom fixed gear
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 9 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Their windsurfing gear has always been top-notch. I hope they make it with the bikes.
08-11-10, 07:44 AM
#9
Full Member
windsurfing is definitely a niche sport compared to cycling, but the percentage of windsurfers who are also at least semi-serious cyclists is quite large.
i've used their windsurfing equipment for years, and would be interested in trying the bikes.
i've used their windsurfing equipment for years, and would be interested in trying the bikes.
08-11-10, 08:51 AM
#13
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 8,550
Bikes: Wilier Izoard XP (Record);Cinelli Xperience (Force);Specialized Allez (Rival);Bianchi Via Nirone 7 (Centaur); Colnago AC-R Disc;Colnago V1r Limited Edition;De Rosa King 3 Limited(Force 22);DeRosa Merak(Red):Pinarello Dogma 65.1 Hydro(Di2)
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 551 Post(s)
Liked 277 Times
in
145 Posts
Rats...I can't access it from work 
08-11-10, 08:59 AM
#14
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Albuquerque, NM
Posts: 214
Bikes: '06 Orbea Orca w/ Shimano 6700
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
08-11-10, 09:22 AM
#15
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Northeast Ohio
Posts: 3,215
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
08-11-10, 06:58 PM
#17
No matches
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Eastern PA
Posts: 11,647
Bikes: two wheeled ones
Mentioned: 15 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1398 Post(s)
Liked 444 Times
in
250 Posts
I've seen their sails on a bunch of race boats. Never owned any myself, but they're nice for sure.
Bikes look nice. I haven't been that impressed with my Pedal Force, but I think I'd be willing to try again with a small manufacturer.
edit: holy crap. I Just looked at their prices. That's a pretty damn expensive frameset for a company just starting out in bikes. $2500 for a frameset can get me some pretty damn nice bikes.
Bikes look nice. I haven't been that impressed with my Pedal Force, but I think I'd be willing to try again with a small manufacturer.
edit: holy crap. I Just looked at their prices. That's a pretty damn expensive frameset for a company just starting out in bikes. $2500 for a frameset can get me some pretty damn nice bikes.
Last edited by Flatballer; 08-11-10 at 07:07 PM.
08-11-10, 07:19 PM
#18
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 8,550
Bikes: Wilier Izoard XP (Record);Cinelli Xperience (Force);Specialized Allez (Rival);Bianchi Via Nirone 7 (Centaur); Colnago AC-R Disc;Colnago V1r Limited Edition;De Rosa King 3 Limited(Force 22);DeRosa Merak(Red):Pinarello Dogma 65.1 Hydro(Di2)
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 551 Post(s)
Liked 277 Times
in
145 Posts
Beautiful bikes and frames, but those prices are really high.
08-11-10, 07:43 PM
#19
I like beans
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Meffa, MA
Posts: 3,336
Bikes: Tarmac Pro, Bianchi Zurigo, Raleigh Gran Sport, Fuji Del Rey, Ironman Centurion
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Prices actually look about right. Same price for a Tarmac Pro or CLX 2.0 frame.
08-11-10, 07:59 PM
#20
Follow the Broom Wagon
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Nothern Beaches, Sydney
Posts: 245
Bikes: Scott CR1
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Their sails are pretty popular in Oz.
Just checked into their website to have a look at their bikes and to be able to do so, I have to create an account. Why would this be the case?
Just checked into their website to have a look at their bikes and to be able to do so, I have to create an account. Why would this be the case?
08-11-10, 08:08 PM
#21
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: London
Posts: 2,420
Bikes: Baum Romano, Brompton S2, Homemade Bamboo!
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 474 Post(s)
Liked 204 Times
in
129 Posts
I can get in without an account by selecting Hong Kong or the USA, but when I tried to go via Australia to check those prices I was met with the create account thing too. Perhaps it is a result of a legal or territory thing, or even the GST?
08-11-10, 08:15 PM
#22
Follow the Broom Wagon
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Nothern Beaches, Sydney
Posts: 245
Bikes: Scott CR1
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Thanks JonnyHK. I'll try via US or HK and see what happens. From their windsurfing website, the frame that they are showing looks pretty good......
In the meantime (until I win some $$), I'll keep dreaming.
In the meantime (until I win some $$), I'll keep dreaming.
08-11-10, 09:05 PM
#23
Follow the Broom Wagon
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Nothern Beaches, Sydney
Posts: 245
Bikes: Scott CR1
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Just had a look at the site and the Diablo (in the Matte Black) looks pretty awesome. If the weight specs are anything to go by, then this is a very light bike (6.75kg (less than 15lb) - under the UCI limit). I also really like the understated graphics - only a small "NEILPRYDE' logo on the seat tube and a quite small "DIABLO' on the top tube. Definitely not as garish as some other branded bikes out there. If only I had Au$6K........
08-11-10, 09:46 PM
#24
Wheelsuck
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 6,158
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
08-11-10, 09:57 PM
#25
Senior Member
Nice looking bikes. Nice photography on the website. They should fire whoever wrote the copy for the website and hire someone who knows how to write in plain English, instead of pseudo-techie gobbledygook.