Sports Direct , Halfords, Wiggle some of the names apparently trying to buy.
CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Cycling News
Evans Cycles for sale
(10 posts)-
Posted 9 years ago #
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Mr Ashley is understood to see Evans Cycles, which would cost roughly £100m, as way to expand Sports Direct into the lucrative cycling market.
Halfords and the online cycling retailer Wiggle, which is owned by private equity firm Bridgepoint, are also understood to have looked into buying Evans. Several other private equity firms are thought to be in the mix.
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Not really about 'bikes' anymore.
Wonder if current private equity owner isn't making enough money or it's just about deals and exit strategies.
This is interesting -
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However, a source close to the situation said Halfords had now “categorically ruled out” a move for Evans. Instead, Halfords wants to focus on developing its own high street cycling brand Cycle Republic. Matt Davies, the outgoing chief executive of Halfords, has said he believes the company could open 100 Cycle Republic shops. The second Cycle Republic shop in London is due to open this week.
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Halfords has tried several times to have its own 'pretend IBD' network - both as stand-alone shops and 'in-store bike boutiques'.
Buying Evans would have been quick and 'easy'. Presumably the price wasn't 'right'.
Consequently (potentially) another 'big player'. On the face of it something of a gamble - not least because of the continuing growth of 'on-line'.
I wouldn't bet too much money on 100 Cycle Republic shops happening. If they do open, would it be due to a rise in the bike market (possible - and desirable) or at the expense of other retailers (including Halfords)?
Halfords has always appealed to some people who 'don't like bike shops' - more supermarket than personal experience. Whether Tesco's recent problems signals a move away from big superstores or is just about 'smarter'/cheaper competitors remains to be seen.
Old Evans in Edinburgh(?) thread.
Posted 9 years ago # -
I really don't see why Wiggle would buy Evans. Surely that would just be the PlanetX/Tricentre scenario writ large?
Posted 9 years ago # -
All of the general bike retailers are largely screwed. Well, most of them are. One will survive.
Posted 9 years ago # -
@insto, you mean because Amazon will eventually own everything and Joe and Josephine public go and try the bike out in a shop then buy it on line?
Like the name cycle Republic, reminds me of something, cycling cooperative Edinburgh, is that it?
Posted 9 years ago # -
All of the general bike retailers are largely screwed. Well, most of them are. One will survive.
Good upbeat assessment! You may be right though.
Bike Republic - yes I noticed the EBC star logo. I suppose EBC must have thought about renaming their shops Revolution at one point. London has had Velorution of course.
Evans... I suppose it has good assets including property and brands. Hoy brand is in there. Edinburgh shop is leased but suspect sales are too low for floor area. Then again you have to hold bikes somewhere and useful click and collect service.
On a general 'how to make everything cheaper' business model then Decathlon must lead as it has large European base.Posted 9 years ago # -
"All of the general bike retailers are largely screwed. Well, most of them are. One will survive."
Ah, the Christophe Lambert scenario. Let's hope Halfords doesn't wind up decapitating Evans in a disused carpark with a samurai sword. What sort of timescale do you envisage for the emergence of the single European bike shop?
Not at all clear to me that bike sales will go online. The test ride is always going to be key in clinching sales. I'd expect a three-way split with Decathlon or similar banging out their own brand, high end boutique retailers doing custom builds and the middle market going to an on-line retailer with some real world presence that keeps going bust because it doesn't have either of the profitable markets.
Posted 9 years ago # -
"The test ride is always going to be key in clinching sales."
Presumably also the six-month-or-so return-to-point-of-purchase check-up and the option to additionally RTPOP in case of unexpected errors (e.g. custard versus Halfords)?
Evans have always seemed a bit weird in the way that you can't just saunter in and pick up a packet of brake blocks the way you can in a normal bike shop, where they keep such things in plain view on the shelves or walls.
Posted 9 years ago # -
You forgot the small, local shops that survive mainly on service and repairs, the small and urgent necessities and who develop loyal customers.
Posted 9 years ago # -
I bought my bike in Evans in June. I could not get test ride as no passport, I found the six week service awkward to arrange you are meant to it on their web site, I never had mine.
I went their because I knew nothing about bikes was going to buy an Apollo hybrid from Halfords but the reviews were quite negative saying with the appollo breaks often apparently.
The evans Pinnacle lithium bike reviews were better.
I bought my Pinnacle lithium 1 for £325, it did not break for months, the front break calliper broken when on the train and the front cogs bent out of shape and needed to be fixed.
The only issue I have with my bike is it’s a mountain bike with road wheels Evans version of a hybrid. It has compact frame I think I would have rather a non-compact frame as I don’t go off road I just dawdle although paths and roads. I live 10 miles from the centre of Edinburgh so comfort and stability more important than agility of road.
The sizes go from 5,11 to 6 ,1 I am 6 foot and think the size just a little smaller than would like. I may change my bike at some point but more just because want slightly bigger frame a non-compact.
The bike has no rust and seems good quality for the money evans say they make bikes for the uk market, which may mean better rust proofing as for cars I remember reading uk is one of the worst places for rust because oh humidity and salt used often on the road.
I went to buy parts and Evans and was surprised they don’t hold stock, also for serving and repairs a long turnaround time I would imagine.
For buying a bike I think it was quite good as bikes at good prices but for service and repair not the best would imagine. Slow and expensive and little stock.
Now I know of the bike station and bike works, for parts and service would go there.
For buying my next bike I am not sure, evans has good prices, but may be even a used bike not sure when will get another one may be not for quite sometimes just the shape of the frame could be longer but otherwise perfect.
I found the ride a bit harsh with the original kenda tires, I wondered if it was the aluminium frame that caused this, but with the snow and ice Schwalbe even when pumped up to 70 PSI for non ice use, the ride is good.
I may get some Schwalbe summer tires rather than put the Kenda back on, when the weather improves.
Posted 9 years ago #
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