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Just bought SJS out of middleburn cable oilers. Anything else I should try to get hold of before stock is depleted?
Fancied one of their touring chainsets but can't find one anywhere. Did they even come to market?
Yeah, i bought one from Matt for my Tripster and it's a very nice bit of kit indeed. 28/38 chainrings with a praxis 40t rear cassette gives a 20" low gear.
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When I called sjs this morning they didn't know middleburn had gone :/
Soma are you using STi's and a 10 speed rear mech ?
Nah, I "[i]uglied[/i]" my tripster with a set of carbon jones bars so i ended up fitting XTR 10speed mechs/shifters, with Jones bars it is more practical for off-road use
When I called sjs this morning they didn't know middleburn had gone :/
Well they do now - just doubled the price of all the cranks they had left!
https://www.sjscycles.co.uk/chainrings/34-middleburn-uno-18-square-taper-spider-black/
you're not kidding. Middleburn uno ring was £46 a few days ago now they're 93.99!
Jesus, they have too! I was browsing some the other day, and they have definitely just gone up massively!
Opportunistic bastards! Can see it from a business point of view, but pretty bloody mean and greedy!
Or; have MB really gone bust, or is it a cynical move to shift loads of stock that wasn't selling? 🙄
SJS just gone down massively in my estimation.
Very uncool price hikes by SJS..
Not ever buying from SJS again...
unless the prices drop back down...
2 32 t/t unos were available on ebay but I just bought them...
SJS have just drop right down in my estimations I was concidering a new uno ring last week but know forget it will fit the spider back on and go for other rings again.
So email them! Let them know that their actions aren't appreciated by potential customers.
Don't know if it will do much good, but if they end up not shifting stuff at the high prices, they might relent.
What would happen warranty wise now if you did buy something Middleburn and it was faulty? As they can't recover costs from Middleburn, maybe they have to factor that in, but then as a consumer I would expect the price to drop due to the above - Difficult position perhaps for shops with stock?
just ordered an uno ring through rjc extreme for £44
SJS are taking the p royally. £100 for middleburn spiders?
RJC and clee are still showing some online, whether that reflects stock however...
Decision made by their MD who is at Eurobike at the moment apparently. Waiting to here back.
just ordered an uno ring through rjc extreme for £44
turns out i haven't as they've just informed me they don;t have that in stock. God i can't stand bike sites that take your money and then tell you they haven't got the item in stock!
just ordered an uno ring through rjc extreme for £44
turns out i haven't as they've just informed me they don;t have that in stock. God i can't stand bike sites that take your money and then tell you they haven't got the item in stock!
Heh, same here. Ordered an X-Type Uno after reading this post earlier, and had the same email this evening.
Don't have any in stock or looking to sell on to SJS? 🙄
Do any other manufacturers make single chainrings that will fit on an X-Type crank?
Think i might go for the [url= http://www.mountainbikecomponents.co.uk/goldtec-onekey-ring-1835 ]onekey oval chainring[/url]
Although i'm confused why it says "suitable for shimano centrelock system"
?
When I called sjs this morning they didn't know middleburn had gone :/
So this is Frood's fault not the shops 😆
Very uncool price hikes by SJS
Really? Product is in demand, with a very limited supply, why would they not do that?
They're a bike shop, any chance to make money they should take.
Because it's cynical opportunism, cashing in on the demise of a great little engineering firm. SJS have already bought the products from Middleburn, none of the money they get now will benefit that company.
Yes, it's business, but business relies on customers, and if customers choose not to use your business because they aren't happy with your business practices, then you're loosing potential trade. If your reputation suffers as a result of your desire to make a quick buck, then it can have a negative effect. What will SJS make from pushing it's Middleburn prices up, a few grand? And what do they potentially stand to lose as a result of people choosing to shop elsewhere because they feel SJS are a bunch of shysters?
Really? Product is in demand, with a very limited supply, why would they not do that?
They're a bike shop, any chance to make money they should take.
I can understand raising the prices a little....but doubling them? From £46 to £93.99?
That's taking the p1ss!
Yes, it's business, but business relies on customers, and if customers choose not to use your business because they aren't happy with your business practices, then you're loosing potential trade.
Absolutely, and they've (presumably) made a calculation that putting the prices up the right thing to do commercially.
SJS as not CRC or Wiggle, most people I know use them to get hold of bits that other shops don't have. I suspect, in a years time Middleburn will fall into that category.
But hey, I don't expect others to agree but I can't argue with what they've done at all.
I have a square taper RS7 175mm crankset with 32mm uno ring on if anyone wants it. I even have a sq taper BB too.
Judging by the SJS prices I probably need to ask about £500 for this set 😉
"Absolutely, and they've (presumably) made a calculation that putting the prices up the right thing to do commercially."
Wel, they've just lost £200+ from myself alone, this week. And any future custom. And it seems I'm just one of several on this forum alone. Maybe they have made the right decision. I doubt this situation will have a massive impact on their business. But reputations are hard won, and easily lost.
SJS cycles in being money grabbing and bloody minded shocker 😉 not a surprise based on personal experience from the past!
Because it's cynical opportunism, cashing in on the demise of a great little engineering firm. SJS have already bought the products from Middleburn, none of the money they get now will benefit that company.
It's supply and demand. Simple as that. There's now a limited supply and as this thread proves, demand has risen (temporarily) as everyone is stocking up. You'd have to be mental to sell it at a discount.
You just wait until the oil fields start running out..... 🙂
"It's greed [s]supply and demand[/s]. Simple as that."
FTFY.
It's done me a favour actually. I won't now be buying a product with a useless warranty and no after sales back-up. Which SJS are selling for a massively increased price. 🙄
Well, the warranty would now be with SJS and not Middleburn. Maybe theyre pricing for that risk
Wel, they've just lost £200+ from myself alone, this week. And any future custom. And it seems I'm just one of several on this forum alone
Until of course they are the only people who stock that particular bit you need 🙂
It might be cynical opportunism or it might be as others have said that they will take the full costs of any warranty issues and so have taken immediate action to mitigate that. And if they don't sell then they'll have to reduce the costs.
Didn't buy a RS8 for my second bike last month as I was waiting for a small bonus to be paid this month and so not putting it on a credit card. Missed out now :(. Silly me.
Well, the warranty would now be with SJS
It always was, it's just they now have no fall back, hence...
Maybe theyre pricing for that risk
Though I don't think Middleburn were known for a lot of warranty claims
Sad to hear that Middleburn have gone, I always really like their stuff!
I stocked up on cable oilers earlier this week from SJS after reading of Middleburns demise - they've doubled in price now too!
Sad to see them go, really pleased with the Uno cranks. Which leaves me with a problem of what to when my chainring wears out. Do I:
- Hope that I can replace from Goldtech, Wolf etc.
- Switch to a Shimano
- Buy a spider so that I can use regular chainrings
What do people think? Will Goldtech etc. continue to produce compatible parts? Don't really like the spider option as it rather detracts from the good looks of the cranks
Sad to see them go, really pleased with the Uno cranks. Which leaves me with a problem of what to when my chainring wears out. Do I:- Hope that I can replace from Goldtech, Wolf etc.
- Switch to a Shimano
- Buy a spider so that I can use regular chainringsWhat do people think? Will Goldtech etc. continue to produce compatible parts? Don't really like the spider option as it rather detracts from the good looks of the cranks
+1
I love my middleburn uno cranks. I've just bought a hardcoat ring and wondering the same.
Goldtec are also no more. The bike shop attached to the manufacturing side has moved location and is now called Spokes, in Silverdale, Newcastle under Lyme.
Wonder if we can harass wolftooth/absoluteblack to make a middleburn version?
soulwood - Goldtec are also no more. The bike shop attached to the manufacturing side has moved location and is now called Spokes, in Silverdale, Newcastle under Lyme.
I thought Goldtec was the posh name of BETD
BETD acquired Goldtec I believe.
way back in the early 00's!BETD acquired Goldtec I believe.
so does that mean BETD are also gone?
so does that mean BETD are also gone?
Well they appear to have a fully functioning website and pretty sure I saw someone from there posting on here the other day regarding mech hangers...
well thats not confusing at all then
Goldtec/BETD dumped off the bike shop function, (hence Kev and Alex running the nor really rather good spokes bike shop)
The engineering bit was merged/sold to KMF Group so will still do bike related stuff, but now have access to bigger shinier toys
Just ordered a Middleburn crank from an alternative supplier. Interesting that the SJS prices seem to be way higher than RRP. And that the SJS claim that the same product 'was' actually double what I've just paid, proves that not only have they massively just hiked up their prices for Middleburn stuff, but they are now also claiming that they have previously sold for even higher! I'm not sure that is even legal (in order to publish a previous price, indicating a current discount, I think the product must have been available for sale at that price, which I'm sure it wasn't)!
I can't prove that SJS are acting illegally. But I do know they will never be receiving another penny of my money.
Interesting that the SJS prices seem to be way higher than RRP. And that the SJS claim that the same product 'was' actually double what I've just paid, proves that not only have they massively just hiked up their prices for Middleburn stuff, but they are now also claiming that they have previously sold for even higher! I'm not sure that is even legal (in order to publish a previous price, indicating a current discount, I think the product must have been available for sale at that price, which I'm sure it wasn't)!
So this is the google cache from Aug 27th
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and this one from 31st
Exactly the same product now at £319.99, 'was £359.99'.
Anyone want to defend that?
I expect a website monkey was ordered to double the price while the boss is away until the boss has had a chance to confirm the situation with Middleburn, and minimise orders until they're clear on what kind of stock levels they've got and can get from the manufacturer's inventory.
The webiste monkey will have dropped a spreadsheet of middleburn products out and just applied a multiple to the numbers before hoiking it back up on to the online shop front system. They certainly wont have meticulously gone through each product and checked line by line just for a holding position. Give it a few days to sort out.
Managing director ordered the price increase. They confirmed this when I emailed them. Still waiting to hear back from them.
That explanation is ridiculous. If I didn't want to sell any of a particular brand whilst I took stock, I'd just show them all out of stock.
Hope they come up with something plausible as I'm looking for a tandem for a RTW. They were on my list.
Just arrived :
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How easy would it be for someone with cnc skills to make some copy Incy spiders:
Who did you use clodhopper??
Does rather look like SJS are being just a little too greedy!
Just asked them about it on their facebook page so I'll see if they say anything.
Those complaining about the price hike - if the Middleburn stuff is so great, why did it take them going out of business for you to decide to buy their stuff?
Those complaining about the price hike - if the Middleburn stuff is so great, why did it take them going out of business for you to decide to buy their stuff?
?
What's wrong with pointing out when you think that someone is profiteering?
I've no love for 29ers but I'd still point out if someone adopted the same stance & would support those who in who in turn felt the same.
My point being I can understand them hiking the prices a little, but doubling them? That's just taking the p1ss.
Or would you rather I kept quiet if & when something you were partial to was doubled in price in similar circumstanes?
I think saying the RRP is higher than it is is not just sharp practice I think it's illegal. Although now that Middleburn is gone maybe SJS reckons RRP is whatever the hell they say it is.
Well, I sort of understand the whinging, but to me it seems a bit like people deciding they suddenly like Queen after Freddie died... why didn't you buy the stuff while Middleburn were still going?
If anyone is really desperate for cranks (RS8), drop me an email. We still have some stock that were destined for bikes but I'm not 100% convinced I want to supply them fitted now that I know we'll have no warranty backup for them.
Oh, and not at SJS prices!
I have 2 Middleburn rs7 cranks with direct mount chainrings so getting hold of the rings in the size I want is going to get harder.
RJC Extreme don't have any 4 bolt spiders in stock.
Bugger. Was building up to go Middleburn.
No who can supply me with an alpine double apart from that pig ugly Sugino thing?
e it seems a bit like people deciding they suddenly like Queen after Freddie died... why didn't you buy the stuff while Middleburn were still going?
A lot of us probably do (2 x RS7s here, uno ring, double on a spider + a set of disc hubs, and some oilers.)
I think, like me, people wanted to potentially stock up on some spare rings, etc. as they won't be making any more.
I think, like me, people wanted to potentially stock up on some spare rings, etc. as they won't be making any more.
and spiders, that seems to be the main issue to longevity of our cranks.
How easy would it be for someone with cnc skills to make some copy Incy spiders:
Very easy especially when you already have the engineering drawings and cad models.....but like middleburn it's probably not worth running a machine for a day to make 5 spiders and 25p profit.
I've already thought about contacting the folks who own middleburn we could make those easily, but its not really worth the time and effort the rings we make now
Are far better
,
Why are people always so surprised that businesses want to make a profit?!
It is their sole purpose, unless they are a social enterprise.
Terrible shame about middleburn, but I don't blame SJS for hiking prices - they have always been the place to get weird stuff usually at a high price - they are just defending their niche. You wither high sell at high volume low price (Chainreaction model) or low volume high price (SJS) - for the latter to work you stock stuff that nobody does or can.
Currently, there's no fixed retail price for anything. Following the lack of availability we thought we'd increase our potential margin on the stock we currently own to redress the incredibly slim margin we've enjoyed for the past few years, sorry regards robin thorn (Director )
Here's the response I got via the facebook page.
For some reason I feel like I should be angry about this but I'm not really. If CRC pulled something similar I would be boycotting and whatnot but with SJS it doesn't feel quite so cynical.
I've used SJS many times in the past and will in the future. I'm just torn now about whether to stock up on UNO rings or not.
I'm also not sure if I want to use Middleburn for a vintage road frame I was planning on building up with modern parts but I can't think of an alternative that would look quite as nice.
frood - MemberWhen I called sjs this morning they didn't know middleburn had gone :/
Oh, and thanks for that frood 😉
Those complaining about the price hike - if the Middleburn stuff is so great, why did it take them going out of business for you to decide to buy their stuff?
I bought some new cranks 2 days before the news broke about them going bust - now I'm worried about getting spare rings/a spider 😥
Currently, there's no fixed retail price for anything. Following the lack of availability we thought we'd increase our potential margin on the stock we currently own to redress the incredibly slim margin we've enjoyed for the past few years, sorry regards robin thorn (Director )
Interesting one.
Still, doubling the price?
That's not going to sit well with a a fair few folks regardless of the reason!
My cable oilers arrived. £5.99 as bought before the profiteering. £11.99 now..
"Well, I sort of understand the whinging, but to me it seems a bit like people deciding they suddenly like Queen after Freddie died... why didn't you buy the stuff while Middleburn were still going?"
In my case, it's purely coincidental that I was planning to buy a crankset at this time, for a proposed new bike build. I've actually been meaning to buy some Middleburn cranks for ages, just not got around to it. I was, like others, browsing SJS' website just last week, before the prices were hiked up.
"I expect a website monkey was ordered to double the price while the boss is away until the boss has had a chance to confirm the situation with Middleburn, and minimise orders until they're clear on what kind of stock levels they've got and can get from the manufacturer's inventory.The webiste monkey will have dropped a spreadsheet of middleburn products out and just applied a multiple to the numbers before hoiking it back up on to the online shop front system. They certainly wont have meticulously gone through each product and checked line by line just for a holding position. Give it a few days to sort out."
We now this not to be the case. SJS themselves have apparently admitted that they are cashing in on the anticipated sudden rush to buy new MB products.
They can, legally, charge whatever they like. And customers can choose to shop wherever they like. What they can't do, is claim an item was previously sold at a particular price, when it wasn't, in order to suggest a 'discount'. Not sure exactly what piece of legislation it falls under, but I do know that various companies have been penalised for doing this. There really is no excuse for this.
DezB Well, I sort of understand the whinging, but to me it seems a bit like people deciding they suddenly like Queen after Freddie died... why didn't you buy the stuff while Middleburn were still going?"
I think the thread is talking about replacements for existing gear, chain rings etc, that are specific to the gear they all ready have and in the future how can replacements be obtained.
Gents I'd like to put some posts right but Taz has stated some facts. BETD Goldtec is still going and very well too. We have moved premises and have some new backers (KMF) and we have access to some incredible CNC machines. We are still producing mech hangers, hubs, suspension linkages and many many more parts. I should have answered earlier but work load meant I missed the posts. Anyone who needs any help regarding parts please please contact us and we will be only too pleased to help. We will also be at the NEC show so come along and say hello to us.
What they can't do, is claim an item was previously sold at a particular price, when it wasn't, in order to suggest a 'discount'.
But this might well be an automatic mistake - they might well have just done a simple "increase all Middleburn by 100%" or whatever, that will have put everything up including the base price of the things they're discounting.
[quote=clodhopper ] What they can't do, is claim an item was previously sold at a particular price, when it wasn't, in order to suggest a 'discount'. Not sure exactly what piece of legislation it falls under, but I do know that various companies have been penalised for doing this. There really is no excuse for this.
Don't tell On One/Planet X - that's their very business model
They have a legal duty not to display anything that is misleading, and to rectify any 'mistakes' immediately they are spotted. [s]They've had adequate time in which to do so. [/s] It appears they have now done this. Took a while though. 😉
"Don't tell On One/Planet X - that's their very business model"
I won't ever be buying anything from that company either. For different reasons though. 😆