Originally Posted by
modernjess
Actually Surly IS a company of about 20 people who only work on Surly at QBP and they are responsible for everything except manufacturing. They really live the brand everyday and have fought for their independence. And yes indeed it is housed and was formed at QBP (Quality Bicycle Products BTW) which is not a corporate conglomerate but a privately held company that mainly distributes bike parts to shops in North America. The vast majority of employees at Q work on that effort.
Surly and their other small bike brands have absolutely benefited from the proximity to the industry, the product knowledge, and the distribution which comes from Q. But to dismiss it as a calculated corporate marketing shill is an uninformed opinion and frankly insulting to the dedicated bike nerds that invented, market, and ride the Surly brand every day. But trust me, they don't care what you think.
The volkswagon of the bicycle industry. 20 people who can't make a bike, but do know marketing and utilitarian design..and how to source know-how from ...overseas? Nothing wrong with it, I suppose one day I might own a Surly...it could happen...I have fugly moments. The calculated counter-culture, hipness of Surly marketing? - a finger down my throat moment. I'll take a Artcrank Trek, thanks.
Your little privately owned Q company was...$180 million in revenue last year? Just a little boutique operation I'm sure. What's your CEO's comp plan?