I'm not sure this belongs in C & V, but I know people here will have an opinion about it. Jan Heine posted on his blog that he has purchased the René Herse name.

Jan is probably one of the most knowledgable people alive when it comes to René Herse and other classic French constructeurs so I suppose it makes a lot of sense that he would want to be the steward of the name.

Discuss.

This just blows my mind! But Jan will be a good caretaker of the RH name.

So he's going to be "Jan Herse?"

Good for him. Hope it works out. We always need small companies run by other bike nerds, whether you like his stuff or not.

Wonder how the bidding went between Jan and Grant. Must have been like Barrett-Jackson for bikes.

So, does this mean Mike Kone in Boulder can no longer use the name ? I had wondered what the arrangement was.

Oops. Answer in the blog.

Mike Kone can still use the name and will still produce the bikes.

So can Mark Nobilette still call himself "Mark Nobilette?" (he being the real talent and all ... )

imagine if it was sold to bikesdirect.

do not give them any ideas, I'm sure some of the older names of great French builders are usable in the U.S. without any money exchanging hands. I don't think they pay for these names, not sure though

good for him, and for the Herse name I'd think, time will tell.

I think Jan will be a good "keeper of the flame", especially since many new riders wouldnt even know about Rene Herse were it not for his preaching (for lack of a better term). But it's still an outsourced frame. I'd feel better if I were dropping RH money if my frame came out of a RH shop. Its petty I know.

I highly doubt Grant had any interest in RH. He does his own thing. Jan will just copy old designs (ala Velo Orange). Thats not a bad thing at all, especially if some of these great old designs will now be affordable and in the reach of us, like VO has done.

I was being facetious.

I hope that Jan/Compass will incorporate new technology into the RH bikes and not just generate historical re-enactments. It's not as though Rene Herse kept using outdated technology; his bikes were mostly outfitted with whatever kit was current in the day, and he established himself as an innovator in terms of many of his designs and concepts. I know that Jan is a big believer in lighting technology and outfits his bikes with the best and newest technology in that regard, but I would hope the RH name will carry on the reputation for innovation. For example, I would love to see better iPhone/GPS/smartphone integration than what was done on some of the latest RH bikes coming out of Mike Kone's shop.

I agree that Grant would not be interested in this niche.

It seems Boulder has the rights to build frames and Compass the rights to components.

I am hoping for an eltro-forged rando frame. Think, a french Varsity! Ooh La La!

I think they should make their own bikes under their own name.
If i could ever afford to buy a Rene Herse i would buy an original one and not a modern made reproduction one.

Oui, oui monsieur!!

I'm kind of with you Dave. It's nice they're preserving the great man's name, but if I had the bucks and was interested in a Herse, it would be a real one. After all, frames made by someone else aren't really Herse, are they?
I know I'll probably get flamed for this. So it goes.

René Herse, constructeur.

1913 - 1976

finis

i've been reading Heine's blog a lot recently, and given his past history and business endeavors, it seems like he's certainly the best person to carry on the Herse legacy.

Also looking at their website and prices there is a huge difference between Rene Herse and Boulder frames.
If they build both frames and have the same quality control then why such a huge price difference?
If you can get a boulder 650b randonneur frame and fork with user defined geometry etc etc for $2000 , then why is a frame made by the same people but with Rene Herse on the frame costing up to $6000+?

+1 Exactement

So what's the basis for the Specialized lawsuit in this situation?........


"We have been serving French fries in the company cafeteria for years".

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