New Kudos Secret bike

[12xu22]

Hmmm, I like the look of this bike, and especially the few kilos it has shaved off the weight of the Cheetah: with a few personal modifications (remove mudguards, different saddle, different handlebars) it could be my ideal bike. Having said that, it's pretty much the same spec as the bike I already own, so, to juggle a Kylie song with a Travis track, is it better the devil I know or is the grass greener on the other side? Or should I take my lyrical cue from Marvin and Kim and have both of them? Nice dream, but, Mick Hucknall has just reminded me that money's a little tight at the moment ....

 

[Cyclezee]

One can never have too many bikes.

Oh yes you can, I stopped counting when it got to over 40

 

[flecc]

Oh yes you can, I stopped counting when it got to over 40

You can get further education, you'll find it very easy to learn to count above 40.

 

[Eaglerider]

I have real problems when I see a bike like the Kudos Secret as I want to add it to my collection! Just how many bikes can a man have? I have my manual for the very occasional outing when I fancy a short ride and some good tough exercise going up the hills. I have my Oxygen which I love for my 16 miles round trip to work, and now I want a fold-up so I can stick it in the boot of the car or take on a long train journey and use the other end. The Secret looks ideal. Two bikes I can justify, could I really justify a third? Am I in danger of becoming a collector? Anyone else got one for every occasion?

Yes, MBS (Multiple Bike Syndrome), also referred to as CBD (Compulsive Bicycle Disorder) can get you at any time. The usual symptoms are, looking at things for prolonged periods that you don't need. Checking the comparative specifications against other models. Hanging around in a bicycle shop and discussing the latest models, none of which are suitable for you.

Then, just a few days later you appear to have purchased another item that you neither need or have space for. I have suffered with this disorder in the past, which is why I have a 25 ft square garage full of things I like, but dont need or have no use for, and there's little space for anything in there. Its a terrible curse and the only cure is to go and buy another one!!

 

[eddieo]

You need a thick elastic band around your wrist, then when you mind turns to e bikes, give elastic band an almighty twang! The ensuing pain will ensure all thoughts of e bikes will disappear!

 

[Kudoscycles]

Eddie>down to 545 now but soon back to 700 plus....I've got this collecting disease bad,am being sent to China next month to keep me out of trouble!!!!!!!!!
Joking apart,if I see anything interesting at the Shanghai Show will bring back some piccies.
Dave

 

[eddieo]

I think what a lot of us want to hear is that you have found a Chinese crank drive system that competes with the best 36 v ones we already have ...I am sure they are at least being developed over there, as Chinese can see the writing on the wall as well as anyone.

 

[jazper53]

I have seen these exact same bike in the states for $400 with better spec (250w motor) .
£725?????

 

[NRG]

Yes, yes but you have to add in import duty, VAT and the European anti-dumping levy plus you have to buy in bulk and pay up-front which means a loan cost on your payment and then you have to shift the 1000 bikes you just bought which means an associated warehouse cost for all those bikes sitting on the shelf for the next 12month....oh and you have to make a profit...

 

[Cyclezee]

oh and you have to make a profit...

Make a profit.........why didn't someone tell me that before now? I thought it was rude word not to mentioned in public?

 

[jerrysimon]

From experience just buying the odd part from China is hard enough. Trying to buy in bulk with all the language barriers and different business etiquettes must be a nightmare!

I can see the need why you would have to go to China and meet your business partners before parting with cash for large shipments.

Can I come and carry your bags next time

It must be a facinating exeprience.

Regards

Jerry

 

[Cyclezee]

I already knew who I was dealing with Jerry, Wai Won Ching is from Singapore, has 12 years electric bike manufacturing experience, is very well educated and there is no language barrier which is a major advantage. Good communication is vital.

You would be welcome to carry my bags next time Jerry, I'm sure you would be more reliable than Air France

 

[jazper53]

Despite the retailers spin on costs, which i have no sympathy for, as we live in a era of rip of Britains by mainly retailers. There is still a £500 differential in price.

 

[Scottyf]

Its not cheap getting bikes over from the far east.
The amount of commodity codes and getting the shipping details is a farce. On top of that I reckon a couple years back they sold alot of the containers for scrap metal to higher up demand on the shipping routes.

They keep putting slower boats on to save on cost of fuel and lithium commodities must be even more difficult.

China is far better than india to deal with, bangledesh is evil.

 

[Kudoscycles]

Jazper....I should have resisted responding to your posting...although bikes look the same there is often big detail differences,it would be easy to shave $50.00 off the Secret bike to produce a bike that looked similar but Kudos has never had the attitude of producing a down market bike,I personally am passionate about these e-bikes and want to be proud of what we sell.
To be honest the duty is only 6% and the shipping costs works out about £15.00 per bike,there is no anti-dumping duty on electric bikes only non assisted bikes(48%!),crazy politics!.
The lion's share of the profit is made by the retailer and that applies to all these bikes,but they do need a good profit to offer a good PDI and after sales service and customers seem to value a local agent to assist their purchase and ongoing service,some may only sell a bike a month.
I can assure you there is no way this is 'rip off Britain',most of these e-bike importers are not getting rich,in fact in many cases without sugar daddies from other enterprises they would not survive. If you want to look for 'rip off Britain' just look towards our local councils with their fat salaries and pensions-I have just received a rates increase on our warehouse from £96,000 to £128,000-no wonder our high street is falling apart,the overheads of running a business in the UK are killing off so many businesses.
Apologies for getting on my soap box but the e-bike industry is not part of 'rip off Britain'.
By the way I am off to China next month for 3 weeks looking out for e-bike developments,it is very hard work but I love the job,so interesting.
Dave
KudosCycles

 

[Scottyf]

Retail outlets are hideous for rates. The only good thing is there is not alot left for Upwards only rental agreements and alot of landlords are almost letting places become rent free just to allow the high street not to suffer.

Thats interesting about the waste on the bikes Dave didn't even think about that one.

Our company always ships 40ft High cubes now becasue of the costings and while I was at Next it was one of the insentives to we changed to get the costs down. However it meant buying alot of the same product / units rather than shipping air. This had its own pit falls though.

The only way things will improve is to bring manufacturing back. But that will only happen once all the poorer counties are on the same playing field.
Which will never happen.

 

[Kudoscycles]

Scotty....the only reason the landlords are letting new tenants into the shops is that as they become empty the landlord becomes liable for the rates,better to get a cheap rent tenant or a charity shop in place otherwise suffer the double whammy of losing the high rent tenant and paying the rates.
With regard to KudosCycles I have started to import in 20 foot containers because I have used up a lot of space with bike storage and want to offer as wide choice of bike style as possible,the latest Secret and Safari bike batches will fill the Building so thats it for a while.
Dave
KudosCycles