Chris Boardman Limited

Soni

And in what part of all that you've just quoted does it mention boardman bikes is owned by a massive Taiwan bicycle company who also own part of specialised? :?

cougie wrote:

For all your searching and theories - why didn't you think to look on the Boatdmsn website ?

http://www.boardmanbikes.com/boardman/b ... about.html

The Company - where it all began
 
Towards the end of 2004, Alan Ingarfield, Sarah Mooney and Chris Boardman MBE came together - and with their shared ambition, energy and vision created Boardman Bikes - a performance based British bicycle brand. From the onset, the company was galvanised by building a team of specialists in all key areas ranging from design engineers, frame builders and investment through to specialist cycling business acumen, design and marketing.
 
"From my perspective, it is essential that all Boardman bikes set great riding performance standards and do exactly what is expected of them - this is a fundamental part of our collective vision and long-term ambitions for the brand."
 
Alan Ingarfield, CEO, Boardman Bikes
Alan's background as an elite sportsman (former UK Ironman record holder) provides a great insight into the end-user's mind-set. As part of his role, Alan is responsible for identifying sponsorship opportunities across all disciplines - a task made easier by his extensive cross-discipline experience and a range of expertise and sporting connections developed through more than two decades of competition and coaching.
 
Chris Boardman MBE, Director of R&D, Boardman Bikes
Chris is involved from the start through to completion of every project at Boardman Bikes. Chris also holds the position of Director of Research and Development for the highly successful GB cycling team.

dilemna

I was under the impression Boardman bikes were made in Thailand. Who knows, who cares. What's the fascination with the guy's commercial interests?

Soni

dilemna wrote:

I was under the impression Boardman bikes were made in Thailand. Who knows, who cares. What's the fascination with the guy's commercial interests?

Well, its nice to know what company you are.buying from isn't it?

This is gettimg more and more to sound like my lbs were telling the truth all along, and there was me thinking they were just being snobby, when I was looking at my trek I said I was considering the boardman, they slated them telling me that they have nothing to do with boardman, they are just paying him to use his name.......

Sounds to me.that there may be an element of truth in that afterall, if at the end of the day you are buying from a Taiwan company who are using the boardman name......

Just plain advertising, no different to seeing a celebrity on the tv adverts using an accessory trying to lead you to believe that they have a connection with that product, maybe chris.does maybe he doesn't, who knows.......

MaxwellBygraves

I wouldn't start slating Boardman just because they are made by Merida.

Most of the big brands are made by someone else. Your Trek is made either by Merida or Giant. Merida make Spesh.

I think Merida and Giant make the majority of road bikes. So despite the italian name of british branding it's probably all out of the same factory.

bompington

Soni wrote:

...Just plain advertising, no different to seeing a celebrity on the tv adverts using an accessory trying to lead you to believe that they have a connection with that product, maybe chris.does maybe he doesn't, who knows.......

In which case it's not advertising, it's plain lying, and you could always try suing.
Mightn't it be easier for someone Boardman's skills and proven track record in bike design to actually do what they say (i.e. provide design input into the bikes) than go to all this trouble to deceive the cycling world? And no-one ever claimed that he hand makes the frames himself, it's hardly a secret that they're made in the far east, which is where you can get the best frames for the least money, pure and simple.

As for what LBSs say, I wouldn't call it snobbery so much as protecting their interests, they're hardly impartial observers here are they?

I have to say that for speculation, innuendo and jumping to conclusions based on close to zero actual knowledge or information, this whole thread is impressive even by the usual internet standards.

superkenners

Wow, you guys have a lot of time on your hands, try getting out and riding a bit more than doing pointless internet searches.

You'll be sitting in the bushes outside his house and inspecting his rubbish next!

verylonglegs

Apparently Henry Ford didn't put my mates Focus together either....

cornerblock

verylonglegs wrote:

Apparently Henry Ford didn't put my mates Focus together either....

Are you saying that Mr Kipling may not have made those extremely good cakes?

snailracer

Superkenners wrote:

Wow, you guys have a lot of time on your hands, try getting out and riding a bit more than doing pointless internet searches.

You'll be sitting in the bushes outside his house and inspecting his rubbish next!

Well you weren't "out and riding" either, seeing as you posted on this thread :P

Redhog14

Alan Sugar didn't put my Sky box together, Richard Branson doesn't fly planes and Jamie OIiver didn't cook the pasta at Jamie's...

If you want a handmade bike by the guy who owns the firm don't go shopping in Halfords. Oh and the wee meerkat doesn't underwrite your car insurance.

Soni

bompington wrote:

Soni wrote:

...Just plain advertising, no different to seeing a celebrity on the tv adverts using an accessory trying to lead you to believe that they have a connection with that product, maybe chris.does maybe he doesn't, who knows.......

In which case it's not advertising, it's plain lying, and you could always try suing.
Mightn't it be easier for someone Boardman's skills and proven track record in bike design to actually do what they say (i.e. provide design input into the bikes) than go to all this trouble to deceive the cycling world? And no-one ever claimed that he hand makes the frames himself, it's hardly a secret that they're made in the far east, which is where you can get the best frames for the least money, pure and simple.

As for what LBSs say, I wouldn't call it snobbery so much as protecting their interests, they're hardly impartial observers here are they?

I have to say that for speculation, innuendo and jumping to conclusions based on close to zero actual knowledge or information, this whole thread is impressive even by the usual internet standards.

Finally somebody else who understands my point, its lying and unfair to the consumer.

Some of.you may know who makes what and who doesn't, however to those new to cycling they are sucked into the my bike is desiged and made by Chris boardman or at least his company.... So must be a good bike, whereas Chris may or maynot have any influence on the design at all!

I know that if my name was placed on a bike then I would want it to be of a high standard and I would.almost certainly say that Chris would to from the type of guy he seems to be....

However, the point of.the matter is that it is misleading and companies shouldn't be allowed.to trade off of somebody else's name....

Soni

Superkenners wrote:

Wow, you guys have a lot of time on your hands, try getting out and riding a bit more than doing pointless internet searches.

You'll be sitting in the bushes outside his house and inspecting his rubbish next!

Lol I like that!!!

cougie

I'm not sure that Merida do own the Boardman marque. Sure the bikes are made there - but thats like saying a Phillipine sweatshop owns Nike ?

Boardman is the director of R&D there. So that fits in well with his past at the Secret Squirrel club working for British Cycling.

He rides his own bikes. They get glowing reviews from all of the magazines and most of the customers.

I'd have thought that the Director of R&D does have a large part to play in the bike design. To say otherwise seems a bit silly and possibly libellous.

FFS if the bikes are good enough for the Brownlee brothers to win World Championships on - they're more than suitable for the average Sunday Warrior on here ?

MaxwellBygraves

This thread is ridiculous.

You may as well complain that you bought a Madone and you aren't riding like Armstrong.

verylonglegs

Maybe you should find another lbs, after all they appear to be more concerned with the company ownership rather than giving you impartial advice as to whether the bike is actually any good or not. I can't help feeling you've got far more worked up by this than is really necessary.

snailracer

cougie wrote:

I'm not sure that Merida do own the Boardman marque. Sure the bikes are made there - but thats like saying a Phillipine sweatshop owns Nike ?...

That is what it says on Wikipedia, which of course is open to doubt.

cougie wrote:

...
Boardman is the director of R&D there. So that fits in well with his past at the Secret Squirrel club working for British Cycling.

He rides his own bikes. They get glowing reviews from all of the magazines and most of the customers.

I'd have thought that the Director of R&D does have a large part to play in the bike design. To say otherwise seems a bit silly and possibly libellous.

FFS if the bikes are good enough for the Brownlee brothers to win World Championships on - they're more than suitable for the average Sunday Warrior on here ?

Chris Boardman may (or may not) be a kosher Director of R&D, however some folks think it important how much of the operations are directly under Chris' control and/or located in the UK. Personally, I judge a product on what I can see rather than "intangibles", but those for whom brand perception is important are entitled to spend their money how they see fit - i.e. the customer is always right.

robert-sb

Haven't read all of the thread but I do know from a professional point of view that you shouldn't read anything into these figures if you want to know the reality.

For instance, suppose CB and the CEO invested £500k to start the company up by buying shares and the company has made £35k loss to date. Net Worth would be £465k. Now suppose he had lent the company £500k to start up rather than buy shares, for very valid tax and wealth creation reasons, and that this is repayable on demand then this would show in current liabilities - it would also reduce net worth to £-35k. So company can be exactly the same except for the piece of paper in CB's hand and worth either £465 or £-35k.

cougie

Wikipedia is the only source i can see that says meruda own them. So I suspect it's wrong.

CB is down as Director of R and D on the Boardman website. I think that's pretty clear ?

kingmho

snailracer wrote:

Chris Boardman may (or may not) be a kosher Director of R&D, however some folks think it important how much of the operations are directly under Chris' control and/or located in the UK. Personally, I judge a product on what I can see rather than "intangibles", but those for whom brand perception is important are entitled to spend their money how they see fit - i.e. the customer is always right.

Some would also prefer to spend their money buying goods actually made in Britain - there's nothing "intangible" about jobs for British workers.

kingmho

cougie wrote:

Wikipedia is the only source i can see that says meruda own them. So I suspect it's wrong.

CB is down as Director of R and D on the Boardman website. I think that's pretty clear ?

http://inrng.com/who-makes-what/

cougie

Yes. That's the source from wikipedia.

I don't believe we have any mass manufacturers of CF bikes in Britain ?

I don't see that CB are misleading anyone on that score ?

snailracer

kingmho wrote:

...
Some would also prefer to spend their money buying goods actually made in Britain - there's nothing "intangible" about jobs for British workers.

Made in Britain? What a quaint idea!

<pops into garage to Proofide his Brooks saddle>

dilemna

Soni wrote:

bompington wrote:

Soni wrote:

...Just plain advertising, no different to seeing a celebrity on the tv adverts using an accessory trying to lead you to believe that they have a connection with that product, maybe chris.does maybe he doesn't, who knows.......

In which case it's not advertising, it's plain lying, and you could always try suing.
Mightn't it be easier for someone Boardman's skills and proven track record in bike design to actually do what they say (i.e. provide design input into the bikes) than go to all this trouble to deceive the cycling world? And no-one ever claimed that he hand makes the frames himself, it's hardly a secret that they're made in the far east, which is where you can get the best frames for the least money, pure and simple.

As for what LBSs say, I wouldn't call it snobbery so much as protecting their interests, they're hardly impartial observers here are they?

I have to say that for speculation, innuendo and jumping to conclusions based on close to zero actual knowledge or information, this whole thread is impressive even by the usual internet standards.

Finally somebody else who understands my point, its lying and unfair to the consumer.

Some of.you may know who makes what and who doesn't, however to those new to cycling they are sucked into the my bike is desiged and made by Chris boardman or at least his company.... So must be a good bike, whereas Chris may or maynot have any influence on the design at all!

I know that if my name was placed on a bike then I would want it to be of a high standard and I would.almost certainly say that Chris would to from the type of guy he seems to be....

However, the point of.the matter is that it is misleading and companies shouldn't be allowed.to trade off of somebody else's name....

Ehh, wake up you numptee. Reading your posts so far I get the impression that you are deliberately trying to impune, slander, libel and damage Chris Boardman's name and the bikes produced in his name. Read the forum rules on defamatory posts. There is nothing under hand or misleading in what he is doing. Do you have a personal grudge against him or have you had a bad experience with Halfords the distributor of his bikes?

From what I have seen of the Boardman bikes they seem pretty good, well thought out and represent good value for money except IMHO the Boardman CX which is over priced for the spec. Many people have bought Boardman bikes and have been very pleased.

When he came on here ages ago when there were problems with Halfords he was pretty good and obviously takes seriously how his bikes are made and distributed ensuring that purchasers are satisfied.

So cut your attempts to destroy his name and brand. Perhaps it is time for the mods to lock or bin this pathetic thread.

Surprise suprise an LBS or large retailer rubbishes the oppositions' bikes in preference to selling it's own. Do you have a few sandwiches short of a full lunch box?

MaxwellBygraves

dilemna wrote:

Soni wrote:

bompington wrote:

Soni wrote:

...Just plain advertising, no different to seeing a celebrity on the tv adverts using an accessory trying to lead you to believe that they have a connection with that product, maybe chris.does maybe he doesn't, who knows.......

In which case it's not advertising, it's plain lying, and you could always try suing.
Mightn't it be easier for someone Boardman's skills and proven track record in bike design to actually do what they say (i.e. provide design input into the bikes) than go to all this trouble to deceive the cycling world? And no-one ever claimed that he hand makes the frames himself, it's hardly a secret that they're made in the far east, which is where you can get the best frames for the least money, pure and simple.

As for what LBSs say, I wouldn't call it snobbery so much as protecting their interests, they're hardly impartial observers here are they?

I have to say that for speculation, innuendo and jumping to conclusions based on close to zero actual knowledge or information, this whole thread is impressive even by the usual internet standards.

Finally somebody else who understands my point, its lying and unfair to the consumer.

Some of.you may know who makes what and who doesn't, however to those new to cycling they are sucked into the my bike is desiged and made by Chris boardman or at least his company.... So must be a good bike, whereas Chris may or maynot have any influence on the design at all!

I know that if my name was placed on a bike then I would want it to be of a high standard and I would.almost certainly say that Chris would to from the type of guy he seems to be....

However, the point of.the matter is that it is misleading and companies shouldn't be allowed.to trade off of somebody else's name....

Ehh, wake up you numptee. Reading your posts so far I get the impression that you are deliberately trying to impune, slander, libel and damage Chris Boardman's name and the bikes produced in his name. Read the forum rules on defamatory posts. There is nothing under hand or misleading in what he is doing. Do you have a personal grudge against him or have you had a bad experience with Halfords the distributor of his bikes?

From what I have seen of the Boardman bikes they seem pretty good, well thought out and represent good value for money except IMHO the Boardman CX which is over priced for the spec. Many people have bought Boardman bikes and have been very pleased.

When he came on here ages ago when there were problems with Halfords he was pretty good and obviously takes seriously how his bikes are made and distributed ensuring that purchasers are satisfied.

So cut your attempts to destroy his name and brand. Perhaps it is time for the mods to lock or bin this pathetic thread.

Surprise suprise an LBS or large retailer rubbishes the oppositions' bikes in preference to selling it's own. Do you have a few sandwiches short of a full lunch box?

Don't always agree with your posts Dilemna, but +1 to that!

morstar

MaxwellBygraves wrote:

dilemna wrote:

Soni wrote:

bompington wrote:

Soni wrote:

...Just plain advertising, no different to seeing a celebrity on the tv adverts using an accessory trying to lead you to believe that they have a connection with that product, maybe chris.does maybe he doesn't, who knows.......

In which case it's not advertising, it's plain lying, and you could always try suing.
Mightn't it be easier for someone Boardman's skills and proven track record in bike design to actually do what they say (i.e. provide design input into the bikes) than go to all this trouble to deceive the cycling world? And no-one ever claimed that he hand makes the frames himself, it's hardly a secret that they're made in the far east, which is where you can get the best frames for the least money, pure and simple.

As for what LBSs say, I wouldn't call it snobbery so much as protecting their interests, they're hardly impartial observers here are they?

I have to say that for speculation, innuendo and jumping to conclusions based on close to zero actual knowledge or information, this whole thread is impressive even by the usual internet standards.

Finally somebody else who understands my point, its lying and unfair to the consumer.

Some of.you may know who makes what and who doesn't, however to those new to cycling they are sucked into the my bike is desiged and made by Chris boardman or at least his company.... So must be a good bike, whereas Chris may or maynot have any influence on the design at all!

I know that if my name was placed on a bike then I would want it to be of a high standard and I would.almost certainly say that Chris would to from the type of guy he seems to be....

However, the point of.the matter is that it is misleading and companies shouldn't be allowed.to trade off of somebody else's name....

Ehh, wake up you numptee. Reading your posts so far I get the impression that you are deliberately trying to impune, slander, libel and damage Chris Boardman's name and the bikes produced in his name. Read the forum rules on defamatory posts. There is nothing under hand or misleading in what he is doing. Do you have a personal grudge against him or have you had a bad experience with Halfords the distributor of his bikes?

From what I have seen of the Boardman bikes they seem pretty good, well thought out and represent good value for money except IMHO the Boardman CX which is over priced for the spec. Many people have bought Boardman bikes and have been very pleased.

When he came on here ages ago when there were problems with Halfords he was pretty good and obviously takes seriously how his bikes are made and distributed ensuring that purchasers are satisfied.

So cut your attempts to destroy his name and brand. Perhaps it is time for the mods to lock or bin this pathetic thread.

Surprise suprise an LBS or large retailer rubbishes the oppositions' bikes in preference to selling it's own. Do you have a few sandwiches short of a full lunch box?

Don't always agree with your posts Dilemna, but +1 to that!

+2. Some serious agenda peddling going on.
I ride a Boardman which inevitably leads to discussions about the brand. I have only ever had one negative comment, and guess what, it was from somebody who works for a bike shop/brand.

As for the buying British...
If you're too stupid to understand the difference between a British brand and British manufactured then you've been living under a rock.

dg74

Put it like this. 6 months ago I slated Boardman bikes without riding them and knowing diddly about them. Cut to today I ride a team carbon, its awesome, very light and lightening quick (shame I'm not but there you go).

Even my LBS was impressed with it when it was in for a new rear mech recently, and they sell Trek, Orange and Spesh.

ynyswen24

+3 to dilemna

the only 'large scale' bike manufacturers in the UK are Brompton and Pashley. Neither are noted for using carbon fibre.

Soni

Get off your high horse and go take a chill pill, this is an.open forum and people are.entitled to discuss matters of interest.and the original post was regarding the companies size/worth, how is that against forum rules? If you are easily.offended, then don't read! Simple!

And for what its worth, I talked my wife into buying a female road bike 3 months ago, is.it a good bike? Yes, have we ad any problems with it? No, was it set up correctly by halfords? Yes perfectly, so next.time you feel like jumping out of.your pram and on to the bandwagon, get your facts.right first fella!

dilemna wrote:

Soni wrote:

bompington wrote:

Soni wrote:

...Just plain advertising, no different to seeing a celebrity on the tv adverts using an accessory trying to lead you to believe that they have a connection with that product, maybe chris.does maybe he doesn't, who knows.......

In which case it's not advertising, it's plain lying, and you could always try suing.
Mightn't it be easier for someone Boardman's skills and proven track record in bike design to actually do what they say (i.e. provide design input into the bikes) than go to all this trouble to deceive the cycling world? And no-one ever claimed that he hand makes the frames himself, it's hardly a secret that they're made in the far east, which is where you can get the best frames for the least money, pure and simple.

As for what LBSs say, I wouldn't call it snobbery so much as protecting their interests, they're hardly impartial observers here are they?

I have to say that for speculation, innuendo and jumping to conclusions based on close to zero actual knowledge or information, this whole thread is impressive even by the usual internet standards.

Finally somebody else who understands my point, its lying and unfair to the consumer.

Some of.you may know who makes what and who doesn't, however to those new to cycling they are sucked into the my bike is desiged and made by Chris boardman or at least his company.... So must be a good bike, whereas Chris may or maynot have any influence on the design at all!

I know that if my name was placed on a bike then I would want it to be of a high standard and I would.almost certainly say that Chris would to from the type of guy he seems to be....

However, the point of.the matter is that it is misleading and companies shouldn't be allowed.to trade off of somebody else's name....

Ehh, wake up you numptee. Reading your posts so far I get the impression that you are deliberately trying to impune, slander, libel and damage Chris Boardman's name and the bikes produced in his name. Read the forum rules on defamatory posts. There is nothing under hand or misleading in what he is doing. Do you have a personal grudge against him or have you had a bad experience with Halfords the distributor of his bikes?

From what I have seen of the Boardman bikes they seem pretty good, well thought out and represent good value for money except IMHO the Boardman CX which is over priced for the spec. Many people have bought Boardman bikes and have been very pleased.

When he came on here ages ago when there were problems with Halfords he was pretty good and obviously takes seriously how his bikes are made and distributed ensuring that purchasers are satisfied.

So cut your attempts to destroy his name and brand. Perhaps it is time for the mods to lock or bin this pathetic thread.

Surprise suprise an LBS or large retailer rubbishes the oppositions' bikes in preference to selling it's own. Do you have a few sandwiches short of a full lunch box?

bompington

Soni wrote:

bompington wrote:

Soni wrote:

...Just plain advertising, no different to seeing a celebrity on the tv adverts using an accessory trying to lead you to believe that they have a connection with that product, maybe chris.does maybe he doesn't, who knows.......

In which case it's not advertising, it's plain lying, and you could always try suing.
Mightn't it be easier for someone Boardman's skills and proven track record in bike design to actually do what they say (i.e. provide design input into the bikes) than go to all this trouble to deceive the cycling world? And no-one ever claimed that he hand makes the frames himself, it's hardly a secret that they're made in the far east, which is where you can get the best frames for the least money, pure and simple.

As for what LBSs say, I wouldn't call it snobbery so much as protecting their interests, they're hardly impartial observers here are they?

I have to say that for speculation, innuendo and jumping to conclusions based on close to zero actual knowledge or information, this whole thread is impressive even by the usual internet standards.

Finally somebody else who understands my point, its lying and unfair to the consumer.

Some of.you may know who makes what and who doesn't, however to those new to cycling they are sucked into the my bike is desiged and made by Chris boardman or at least his company.... So must be a good bike, whereas Chris may or maynot have any influence on the design at all!

I know that if my name was placed on a bike then I would want it to be of a high standard and I would.almost certainly say that Chris would to from the type of guy he seems to be....

However, the point of.the matter is that it is misleading and companies shouldn't be allowed.to trade off of somebody else's name....

Errr, no, I don't understand your point, and I understand it even less after your last post. Like other posters here, I was getting the impression that all the waffle about company value, registered address etc. was leading up to the thinly veiled accusations that Boardman is nothing to do with Boardman bikes, and so is a fraud and a liar. My point was that if this is true, he should be getting locked up, and the challenge should be open and legal rather than the same old keyboard warrior innuendo.

Soni wrote:

this is an.open forum and people are.entitled to discuss matters of interest

This is indeed an open forum and people do discuss matters of interest, so when you post a load of slanderous bullfeathers about someone who has a lot of respect from a lot of people here then you can reasonably expect them to call you out. Most posters here are not that easily offended (OK, Dilemna is but I'm definitely with him here) but a lot of us just get tired of tedious trolling followed by "OK so I was being stupid and insulting but no need to get upset by it"

snailracer

cougie wrote:

Wikipedia is the only source i can see that says meruda own them. So I suspect it's wrong.

CB is down as Director of R and D on the Boardman website. I think that's pretty clear ?

Wikipedia and The Inner Ring, as far as I can tell, aren't trying to sell you bikes. It could reasonably be claimed that they are, therefore, less likely to be biased than Boardman's website, or a Boardman-bashing LBS for that matter.