Originally Posted by
bmclaughlin807
So... it's ok for Civia, Surley, Salsa, etc. to be marketed as 'independent' brands without revealing they're owned by QBP, but it's NOT ok for BikesDirect to do the same with it's brands? I'm kinda confused.
Checked the websites... Of 11 brands owned by QBP, I only found passing mention of QBP on 3 sites.... One they're mentioned as a distributor, one for customer service, and on one (Handspun) they seem to mention it only to try to bring forward any good will they engendered as a division of QBP before being separated out into an individual brand, with no mention of ongoing ownership.
It's really not that confusing.
Motobecane: Decades old French brand that folded. Name now used by a US outfit called BikesDirect that has no connection with old company.
Surly: Minnesota based brand distributed by a Minnesota based company who's employees played a large role in getting the brand off the ground.
Go to QBP's website. On the first page is a clear link to a page that lists it's brands.
Now, go to BikeDirect's page. Can you find any place where it says that Motobecane USA is owned by BikesDirect?
QBP didn't use Surly's good name to get a foothold in the bike business. QBP helped Surly get it's start in the first place. I do think you're right in that Surly doesn't play up the fact that it's owned by a large distributer. They'd rather the public think it's just a few quirky guys and gals who love bikes that do all the work of marketing, designing, accounting, sourcing, shipping, etc. It's part of the image they're trying to sell. I find that to be a little dishonest too, but not rising to the level of what BD has done.