Hey all, does anyone know much about the bikes from Neil Pryde? I recently got a chance to ride one. Wasn't expecting a lot, but I was really surprised by how it handled, and felt.

if i'm not mistaken, this is their first year making bikes. they're well known in the windsurfing industry so you're probably getting a quality product. What concerns me is if you look at their advertising campaign it looks like they hired more designers than engineers to create their bikes

I hope Neil Pryde isn't the new BD.

Haha! I was thinking the exact same thing.

They have a very slick video for their bikes touting more design (in my eyes) than function. It'll be interesting to see how they make out since I really didn't see much in the way of true subject-matter expertise on the part of the principal designers.

Here's my opinion....

They aren't serious about their bikes.
Sure, they're pretty, light, use high end components. But they are targeting one demographic - yuppies with money, who probably windsurf, who want a cool looking bike.

No dealers? Online only? We all know how important it is to fit a bike properly, try it out, test ride it etc. What about support? Mail it back? Really?
I'm sure they're nice bikes, but the whole "Factory Direct Online" thing turns me off. I'd imagine any enthusiast or serious cyclist would want to see the bike in the flesh, try it on for size, and have a little more organic support than a return postage slip and a giant cardboard box.

try this thread