BikeBiz Bicycle and cycling retail news
Since Eurobike’s launch in April last year, one of founder Paul Stewart’s main ambitions was to design, develop and market a range of UK-built bikes under his own label. Having come to fruition just five months later, Moda is now gradually appearing on shop floors across the country.
As revealed on BikeBiz.com last month, the sharp upwards trajectory planned for the brand looks set to continue in 2011. Stewart comments: “We plan to market complete titanium bikes as well as frames sets in 2011. To complement this, we will also launch our own brand of aftermarket components under our Barelli brand. There will be some genuinely exciting products in the line-up, so dealers should keep an eye out for a launch date later in the year.”
Eurobike is responsible for the design, manufacture and assembly of the range, along with its frame-making partner in Taiwan. The inspiration behind creating Moda was simply to put together a range of bicycles that the Eurobike team themselves would be more than happy to ride.
Stewart continues: “We have taken good soundings from some of our key customers, though we’re all experienced riders, so our thoughts and ideas are apparent in many designs. We have a number of bicycles frequently out on test –not only with magazine riders, but with Elite athletes riding road and MTB too, and so far we have been extremely pleased with the response.”
Feedback is invaluable to any brand, but has become increasingly important to Moda’s development ahead of submitting a team for competition at the highest level in the coming season. The finished product has, to date, inspired plenty of confidence in retailers.
Stewart explains: “Each Moda bike is hand-assembled by one mechanic and then checked again before it leaves us. Bikes arrive at dealers already 99 per cent built, and ready to go after turning the handlebars and fitting grips or tape. Our carbon frames carry a two-year guarantee, with alloy frames at five years against normal wear and tear.”
Asked what differentiates Moda from the market’s competition, Stewart is keen to emphasise quality control. “The key strengths of the range include full assembly in the UK. We only use complete component groups that match and work. And along with this, all Modas come with American Classic wheels, which we think adds an immeasurable quality to the overall ride and feel of the bikes.”
Going forward, Stewart believes that the diversity of the range will be one of the major perks of stocking Moda. Having delved into both hardtail and full suspension cross-country, road and track, the brand’s expansion plans will appeal to retailers in need of an all-round solution covering both women’s specific and junior models.
Stewart tells BikeBiz: “We’ll soon have two junior road bikes for our up-and-coming stars, a 24-inch and 650. Then we will complement these with two junior Cyclo X bikes in the same sizes. Next, we’re looking to provide bikes for the WXC ladies mountain bike team – our smaller sizes are ideal for competitive Elite lady riders. We’re also looking at adding some female specific models to the line-up, but this will be a 2012 development.”
If Moda appeals and there’s a gap on your showroom floor, you could be in luck. Eurobike is seeking dealers in various locations, particularly in Scotland and Northern Ireland. The current ten-model range is set to expand by a further 18 bikes next year, too. At present, retail prices for complete builds begin at £999.99.
Stewart concludes: “We’re happy to talk to prospective customers anywhere in the UK where we have not already got an established dealership. We can also arrange to bring samples and demo bikes so all staff members can see and ride the Moda range in the flesh.”
