Originally Posted by
Onfixiate
Well, sorry to rain on the parade, but I think this is not very good news...
Richard was the Wabi identity. Hope these guys can keep up the good reputation for stellar service that Wabi earned, and then some. Richard's experience in the bike business and his personal attention to each bike build will be hard to match.
Seems kinda ironic moving a bicycle company to such a non-bike friendly state like OK. I think their lawmakers would make it illegal for adults to ride bikes, if they got their way...
I'm one of the guys referred to in the message about Wabi Cycles, and I think it's great news! I might be a bit biased, of course.
Two of the key reasons Matt and I decided Wabi Cycles was such a great company to buy were Richard's great reputation and his truly beautiful, high quality products. Matt and I have worked together on a small, high quality brand in the past and we kept up the great reputation my Dad built for that brand. We're both totally committed to doing the same with Wabi Cycles.
I personally have little love for the lawmakers in Oklahoma, having spent much of my life living in California by choice. Even so, Tulsa has a great bicycle culture. We have great dedicated bike trails throughout the city, a 10 year old cycling festival called
Tulsa Tough that hosts NRC racing, and two fantastic bike-focused non-profits. This year USA BMX decided to move their headquarters from Arizona to Oklahoma after voters approved a tax-based incentive package.
If Matt and I stumble on the customer service front, I am certain Wabi's customers will call us on that. Equally as important,
Richard is watching. Matt and I talk to him almost every day, and he plans to remain very involved. I hope we can surprise the doubters by maintaining the great brand Richard has built. With measured growth, additional investment, and careful planning I believe we can do just that.
Curtis