Flyte out of bike business
08-17-06, 03:36 PM
#51
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Yes, the bad news is true. One of my teammates worked there until the end of June, and another friend of mine until the end of July. As another said, the cost of licensing the Airborne name was too prohibitive. The Flyte brand had no presence in bike shops and was reliant on advertising. Unfortunately, the cost of advertising in our favorite bike magazines is insane and they could only afford so much. They tried to get bikes into the mags for testing and reviews, but the competition from the established brands always pushed them out of the picture. It's too bad because they were great guys to deal with and the designs were indeed original. It's a shame to see them go out on a sour note with the unanswered phone calls and emails. I know that they are extremely shorthanded right now, but I would hope to see them go out with their dignity intact.
08-17-06, 03:41 PM
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I just saw mpd224's post. He has more recent information than I do. I'm glad to see that they are not going out of business, but they still have some smoothing over to do regarding the customer service. I've met the owner on a few occassions and I wish him nothing but the best. Hopefully this will work out.
08-17-06, 03:59 PM
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Originally Posted by mpd224
O.K., I just stopped and talked to the owner. He said that since they are no longer building bikes with components, they no longer need the wharehouse space. THEY ARE NOT GOING OUT OF BUSINESS. He said that they will now sell frames as mail order over the internet. He is working on some prototype frames and is still into the whole bike thing. Since he has no need for a 15,000 sq. ft. wharehouse, why not move out and go with something smaller or somewhere with close to no overhead. I am actually going to buy one of the SRS 1's here in a few weeks and I currently ride an Airborne. I have even had a chance to put my hands on some of the prototype frames and all I can say is wow. The e-bay auctions have been on e-bay for over a month now so it's not like they put them up for auction to hurry up and get rid of them. Jamie is a super guy and very good to deal with. All that he is asking is for his new product, Flyte to get out on the market. I would give Jamie my money before I would give a LBS or any other manufacture my money. Besides, look at what happen to Cannondale when they thought they could actually build dirt bikes and quads. They lost their a$$ and had to sell the company. I am also sure that the 2 months Jamie spent overseas in order to get the SRS1 where he wanted it was not cheap. Jamie deserves credit for trying to come up with the best way to still offer his products, provide excellent customer service and still stay within a cost effective manner for his business.
It comes as no surprise that the OP was totally full of ***t and had no accurate information. Threads like this are why you have to just love online forums
08-17-06, 04:24 PM
#54
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Originally Posted by fruitless
It comes as no surprise that the OP was totally full of ***t and had no accurate information. Threads like this are why you have to just love online forums
If you believe this then I have some land available.
That is why they will not answer the phone or an emails also. Because since they are in the frame business they no longer need to keep there excellent reputation they had.
Kenal0
08-17-06, 07:02 PM
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Originally Posted by Kenal0
That is why they will not answer the phone or an emails also. Because since they are in the frame business they no longer need to keep there excellent reputation they had.
Kenal0
Kenal0
08-17-06, 08:44 PM
#56
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Originally Posted by mpd224
I don't know how long it's been since they have not been returning phone calls or e-mails. However, I know that they have laid off some of their employees and the past couple of time that I have been in there they have been a two man operation. I would think that it would be difficult to shut down a 15,000 sq. ft. warehouse and prepare all of the inventory to either sale or move to an alternate location, not to mention all of the metal racks, office furniture and all other warehouse type items that are involved. If he has a deadline to be out of the warehouse, there is not much time to chit chat on the phone and return e-mails. Time is money. Trust me if I was in your shoes I would be upset as well. Also, I am pretty sure that Jamie had a staff that answered phones, e-mails and posted on forums for him. If those guys are no longer there, it's kind of hard to do. I have no affiliation with Flyte at all, however put yourself in Jamie's shoes. It has to be pretty hard to have a successful business and dream that he has put a lot of hours, blood, sweat and tears into and then turn around and have to take these actions. If you want to give up on Flyte that is your perogative. If not, try to give them a week or two and attempt contact again.
Kenal0
08-17-06, 08:45 PM
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I emailed them this afternoon and got a response within hours. They said they havent slashed the prices on any of their good frames like the SRS-1 or 2, which is dissapointing.
08-18-06, 04:35 AM
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Originally Posted by EdZ
I emailed them this afternoon and got a response within hours. They said they havent slashed the prices on any of their good frames like the SRS-1 or 2, which is dissapointing.
08-18-06, 11:22 AM
#60
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Wow. I just saw those. The SR-1 is a really nice looking frame, and at $799 with handlebars, a stem, and seatpost... Now, where to find an extra $800
08-18-06, 11:45 AM
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Originally Posted by EdZ
I emailed them this afternoon and got a response within hours. They said they havent slashed the prices on any of their good frames like the SRS-1 or 2, which is dissapointing.
08-18-06, 12:30 PM
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Flyte SRS3 Frame/Bar/Stem/Seatpost combos going for $180 +$50 shipping on eBay. Not bad...
https://cgi.ebay.com/Flyte-SRS3-Road-...QQcmdZViewItem
https://cgi.ebay.com/Flyte-SRS3-Road-...QQcmdZViewItem
https://cgi.ebay.com/Flyte-SRS3-Road-...QQcmdZViewItem
https://cgi.ebay.com/Flyte-SRS3-Road-...QQcmdZViewItem
https://cgi.ebay.com/Flyte-SRS3-Road-...QQcmdZViewItem
https://cgi.ebay.com/Flyte-SRS3-Road-...QQcmdZViewItem
08-18-06, 12:40 PM
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Originally Posted by Ramjm_2000
That's odd, I've been trying to get in contact with flyte about a possible CX frame and no answers in 2 days. Did they give you any other contact info?
240 Hiawatha Trail
Springboro, Ohio 45066
P | 937.550.2000 x105
F | 937.550.2001
Thats what they gave me at the bottom of the email.
08-18-06, 01:04 PM
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Wow anyone know what an SRS3 frame weighs?
Edit: Never mind, 3.16lbs for the 54cm.
Edit: Never mind, 3.16lbs for the 54cm.
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08-18-06, 01:17 PM
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It ain't light, but it's a nice frame. $180 is a steal.
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08-18-06, 01:57 PM
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hey guys,
I was just lurking around on craigslist before i got on here and saw an ad for a SRS3 frame for $140.00 w/ handlebars seat collar and headset. Is this still a good deal? It has never been built up so its practically new... any help is greatly appreciated... said he sold the seatpost and stem seperately so he does not have that any more.
thanks,
raphael
I was just lurking around on craigslist before i got on here and saw an ad for a SRS3 frame for $140.00 w/ handlebars seat collar and headset. Is this still a good deal? It has never been built up so its practically new... any help is greatly appreciated... said he sold the seatpost and stem seperately so he does not have that any more.
thanks,
raphael
08-18-06, 02:50 PM
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Yes they look like very nice frames.
I know the frames are imported...but are they finished here in the states(paint and decals)?
Is there any clearcoat over the decals....or are they just stickers?
I know the frames are imported...but are they finished here in the states(paint and decals)?
Is there any clearcoat over the decals....or are they just stickers?
08-18-06, 02:59 PM
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It's actually a matte finish over graphics. Very clean, very sleek. The only thing stuck-on is the Flyte head tube badge. I have no idea where they're finished, but they do a nice job. Don't let the price fool you--they do a nice job on the SRS-3. Mine caught the eye of a Colnago OCP type one day--He asked if it was Ti, etc.. He kinda lost interest when I told him the whole bike with Ultegra and carbon cranks was $1300.
I LOVE the Flyte color schemes--except the SRS-1. That Flyte logo on the down tube is FUGLY.
I LOVE the Flyte color schemes--except the SRS-1. That Flyte logo on the down tube is FUGLY.
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08-18-06, 05:26 PM
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Originally Posted by DrPete
It's actually a matte finish over graphics. Very clean, very sleek. The only thing stuck-on is the Flyte head tube badge. I have no idea where they're finished, but they do a nice job. Don't let the price fool you--they do a nice job on the SRS-3. Mine caught the eye of a Colnago OCP type one day--He asked if it was Ti, etc.. He kinda lost interest when I told him the whole bike with Ultegra and carbon cranks was $1300.
like this:
08-18-06, 05:28 PM
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You've inspired me to clean my bike so I can post porn. She's racing-weary right now...
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08-18-06, 05:35 PM
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Originally Posted by DrPete
You've inspired me to clean my bike so I can post porn. She's racing-weary right now...
08-18-06, 06:36 PM
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I plan on getting back into racing next season(want to do Master's Nationals 35-39)...
so I'll need a good racing frame other than my beloved Ciocc.
Perhaps I need to go ahead and buy one and hang it in the garage. I'll build it up in the off season.
Does that tight rear triangle make the bike harsh? I'm riding steel now which is incredibly nice for long rides(love my Ciocc). Also, I wonder how well I might be able to convert it to a time-trial frame for the Master's Nats TT(and other TT's). Compact frames such as these tend to make good TT converts. Not sure my budget will allow for a dedicated TT frame in addition to a new racing frame.
DrPete...do you have pics posted somewhere on this forum of your bike? How much does it weigh?...and what wheels/components are you currently riding? Does it have a sloping top tube?
so I'll need a good racing frame other than my beloved Ciocc.
Perhaps I need to go ahead and buy one and hang it in the garage. I'll build it up in the off season.
Does that tight rear triangle make the bike harsh? I'm riding steel now which is incredibly nice for long rides(love my Ciocc). Also, I wonder how well I might be able to convert it to a time-trial frame for the Master's Nats TT(and other TT's). Compact frames such as these tend to make good TT converts. Not sure my budget will allow for a dedicated TT frame in addition to a new racing frame.
DrPete...do you have pics posted somewhere on this forum of your bike? How much does it weigh?...and what wheels/components are you currently riding? Does it have a sloping top tube?
Last edited by oneradtec; 08-18-06 at 06:41 PM.
08-18-06, 06:40 PM
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If I'm not mistaken, these are the same guys from Airborne. The geometry looks quite similar to some of the bikes in the old Airborne lineup. I once did a crit(very technical with cobbled sections)on a Airborne 'Valkyrie' Ti. It was the best cornering/handling bike I've ever ridden in a crit. I haven't carved corners like that since.
08-18-06, 06:40 PM
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I have one with zero miles sitting on my boat, waiting for me to come home and take it's maiden voyage.
