Why no British stuff, anymore?

[mamba80]

Lookin around to upgrade my bike for next year and it struck me (yet again!) why there r so few british manufactures.
No top end makes, components, nothing! sure there r a few bespoke makers, but nothin mainstream (perhaps Boardman?)
why not? we dont lack the design skills or the manufacturing process, just look at the F1 teams.
Other countries kept things going during the resessions of the 70s an 80s, but not us!
do we lack enterprise? no exotic branding? (but then look at LOOK !)
we apparently buy more bikes per head than any other country in europe, so the markets there.
does r lack of manufacturing, generally, explain the decline in the £ ? and why my trip to italy is going to cost a small fortune

[Smokin_Joe]

British engineering failed because manufacturers gave us what they thought we shoud be greatful to have, not what we wanted. So we had to put up with motorcycles that leaked oil and had to be kick started, cars that constantly broke down and rusted at the first sign of moisture.

Cycle engineering failed for very much the same reasons. A stubborn persistance with cottered chainsets, steel frames and an attitude of contempt for anything innovative as foreign rubbish. You can still see it today if you ride an Audax, grizzly old die-hards screaming abuse at anyone daring to use post 1950's equipment. We only set the standard in manufacturing when we were the only real player, as soon as the rest of the world joined in we were Donald Ducked.

[colnagodram]

I started work Jan 1970,in textiles,aprox.1,500 workers in 5 mills in this town.I noticed quite early on visitors,mainly Japanese, being shown round every department and allowed to take pictures. Now 1 main mill exists work force down to 40, comission weaving at another location in the town employes about 10-15 all the rest of the mills have gone! some even flattened. Textiles, same way as motor cycles and cars. SAD

[mamba80]

a few days ago i heard on the R4 that Sarkosy, announced a multi bullion euro budget that would be spent on french industry/transport/health/new technology.
Brown announces a cut in VAT, might work, but short term!
We all like to knock our euro neighbours but they still have all their industries and for the reasons you ve mentioned, we have sweet FA.

[campagchris]

Because the british don't see cycling like they do abroad.You tell one or two of your none cycling mates what you paid for your bike and they will think your insane
We do have great frame builders,wheel builders etc.But I hear what your saying.

[mamba80]

i tried and they had me sectioned

[Cacophony]

On a very serious note.
If a new British Company was designing & manufacturing Cycling clothing `in Britain`, coming in at mid to upper range. Jerseys made using Quality natural fibres in tradtional styling both long and short sleeved, shorts and training bottoms branded to match. Much in the Rapha mode but less expensive, would you buy it?
Available via E-commerce and selected retailers, again would you buy it?

I ask

[eric09]

Is planet X british because if they are quite good value and quality!

[bigoldsideofham]

For me it would be very much dependant on the thought that went into cut and design for the road cyclist. Not just generic one outfit for all pusuits type rubbish. Plus personally i find that all black stuff a bit old hat. The designs and colouration would matter to me as well as quality. I thing the specialized type mid price stuff has got it about right. Not cheap and bland but not too garish either. I would certainly consider it. Surely building a brand is very expensive?

[Cacophony]

Our research shows a move away from the garish and lycra to a more considered styling and colouring using natural/technical fabrics that lend themselves to comfort.
Keep your eyes open from Jan 09