Powered by Outside

Cove Bikes. What Happened?

PB Forum :: Bikes, Parts, and Gear
Cove Bikes. What Happened?
  • Previous Page
 Post Message | Latest Comment
Author Message
flag marlon-d
O+
Posted: Mar 1, 2019 at 8:46 Quote
So I’ve always been a huge fan of Cove bikes. Had an older style Hustler and now getting a used Hooker.

I tried contacting the shop to see what was up and what they had available as I would like to snag a G-spot, I got a short, poorly typed message about a few random frames in random sizes in stock. I replied asking about pricing and no message back. I then sent an email and got an automated email back saying “this email no longer exists”.

The website only shows maybe 3 frames available and when you go to the pages for them they actually say “currently unavailable”. I’ve alwayd heard in the past that the shop was great with customer service. My question is this,

What happened to Cove bikes? Can anyone fill me in?
flag shredded
Posted: Mar 12, 2019 at 17:57 Quote
Replying to subscribe, many great years on an 08 Sanchez. Never attempted to contact them but browsing the site, not hopeful. Seems like that's a common thing, smaller companies gradually trickling to a stop, like geez people liquidate them all to a local shop no warranty and put on the website that you've closed.
flag marlon-d
O+
Posted: Mar 12, 2019 at 20:36 Quote
shredded wrote:
Replying to subscribe, many great years on an 08 Sanchez. Never attempted to contact them but browsing the site, not hopeful. Seems like that's a common thing, smaller companies gradually trickling to a stop, like geez people liquidate them all to a local shop no warranty and put on the website that you've closed.

I am actually taking a trip to Deep Cove Bike Shop to get an idea of whats going on. May make an article with the hopes of making the front page. Unlikely it will but I will post my findings. Glad to see someone else wondering what is going on with them. Hahaha
flag shredded
Posted: Mar 12, 2019 at 22:42 Quote
Cheers man, Canadian made and a snapshot of my youth gotta try to keep in the know about her. As disappointing as the website is, just refreshed my memory on it then, I'll try to holler at the number at the bottom tomorrow and report my findings too. Stoked you're within range to actually visit, Deep Cove a trusted dealer in the geographic area or is that the motherland workshop?
flag marlon-d
O+
Posted: Mar 13, 2019 at 9:15 Quote
shredded wrote:
Cheers man, Canadian made and a snapshot of my youth gotta try to keep in the know about her. As disappointing as the website is, just refreshed my memory on it then, I'll try to holler at the number at the bottom tomorrow and report my findings too. Stoked you're within range to actually visit, Deep Cove a trusted dealer in the geographic area or is that the motherland workshop?

Itll actually be about a 12 hour drive from me. Deep Cove is where the frames originate. Chaz owns the shop. So thats HQ for Cove bikes. Im heading out there to pick up a bike and thought Id stop in to ask whats going
on. Coincidentally the bike ill be buying is a Cove Hooker. hahaha
flag marlon-d
O+
Posted: Apr 1, 2019 at 9:58 Quote
shredded wrote:
Cheers man, Canadian made and a snapshot of my youth gotta try to keep in the know about her. As disappointing as the website is, just refreshed my memory on it then, I'll try to holler at the number at the bottom tomorrow and report my findings too. Stoked you're within range to actually visit, Deep Cove a trusted dealer in the geographic area or is that the motherland workshop?

Well, To give an answer, They now only produce the Hummer. “nobody is willing to spend much on a handmade aluminium frame when you can get an equivelent bike (in the consumer eye) for much cheaper from asia”-shop dude.
flag shredded
Posted: Apr 3, 2019 at 0:26 Quote
Well that's disheartening to say the least. I was quite delayed in my quest but when calling them today I got no answer and the message tone matches this unfortunate reality.

I remember when a handmade mob was a quarter of one small step above the riot because dude, hand frickin made like a Rolls Royce holla at ya mother f*ckin boy. Cove same thing, correct me if I'm wrong but Chris king and diety are American made, if perhaps not all by hand, and have built quite the following. Doberman too possibly? I could be confusing hand made with gorgeous welds but they likely go together.

Cheaper frames? Asia?! Couldn't tell you who made it but her owner must still be here, the tubagra frame? Like unthinkably short chainstays and a funky hard to access japanese only manufacturer after I'm sure a mildly costly import process. That's pride in your whip man.

Lastly you can get an artisan handmade burger or coffee in almost every city on the continent of North America, and the availability of a bike frame crafted with the same care has gone down due to outsourcing and price wars?

Personally, I had a great time eating dollar menu poison burgers swaying side to side on cheap beer while going great lengths to tell the drive thru staff that my frame was made in Canada.

Guess it's a crap bike nice food world now. That's a drag.
flag marlon-d
O+
Posted: Apr 3, 2019 at 9:11 Quote
shredded wrote:
Well that's disheartening to say the least. I was quite delayed in my quest but when calling them today I got no answer and the message tone matches this unfortunate reality.

I remember when a handmade mob was a quarter of one small step above the riot because dude, hand frickin made like a Rolls Royce holla at ya mother f*ckin boy. Cove same thing, correct me if I'm wrong but Chris king and diety are American made, if perhaps not all by hand, and have built quite the following. Doberman too possibly? I could be confusing hand made with gorgeous welds but they likely go together.

Cheaper frames? Asia?! Couldn't tell you who made it but her owner must still be here, the tubagra frame? Like unthinkably short chainstays and a funky hard to access japanese only manufacturer after I'm sure a mildly costly import process. That's pride in your whip man.

Lastly you can get an artisan handmade burger or coffee in almost every city on the continent of North America, and the availability of a bike frame crafted with the same care has gone down due to outsourcing and price wars?

Personally, I had a great time eating dollar menu poison burgers swaying side to side on cheap beer while going great lengths to tell the drive thru staff that my frame was made in Canada.

Guess it's a crap bike nice food world now. That's a drag.

I think youre right about all those brands, and I believe Knolly and Banshee are still made in Canada as well.

Its a sad world we live in. I think the shop employee was just making an excuse. i think theyd sell well, I see plenty of new Knollys and Banshees around. I think they really shutdown on Laziness to keep designing bikes that would keep up to modern designs. 27.5 Shocker, Lighter STD, 27.5/29” G-spot. I Dont think Chaz has his heart in it as much anymore, freeride isnt really the “in thing” anymore and I think he lost his motivation. Hard to say though. They have a few frames left in the shop but not much. Glad I have a Hooker now to re-live the glory days of DC bike shop.

I go out of my way to find some delicious burgers but ill settle for some Wendys if it meant riding boutique brand bikes hahaha
flag cerebroside
O+
Posted: Apr 3, 2019 at 10:45 Quote
marlon-d wrote:
...I think youre right about all those brands, and I believe Knolly and Banshee are still made in Canada as well...

Pretty sure Knolly and Banshee have been made in Asia for a while. Devinci is made in Canada, and the high end Chromags. Might be others.
flag marlon-d
O+
Posted: Apr 3, 2019 at 11:01 Quote
cerebroside wrote:
marlon-d wrote:
...I think youre right about all those brands, and I believe Knolly and Banshee are still made in Canada as well...

Pretty sure Knolly and Banshee have been made in Asia for a while. Devinci is made in Canada, and the high end Chromags. Might be others.

Really? Learn somethin new everyday. My older Delirium was made in Canada, I suppose that was a 2011 though. Im sure ive heard that Banshee is overseas now that you say it. I was aware of Chromag though I wasnt counting hardtails to be honest. Devinci still is? Wow, surprising that a brand that big is still here. rightious.
flag marlon-d
O+
Posted: Apr 3, 2019 at 11:11 Quote
cerebroside wrote:
marlon-d wrote:
...I think youre right about all those brands, and I believe Knolly and Banshee are still made in Canada as well...

Pretty sure Knolly and Banshee have been made in Asia for a while. Devinci is made in Canada, and the high end Chromags. Might be others.

Sending emails to some brands as I’m really curious about this stuff. Also wondering if Brodie still manufactures here.
flag tomhoward379
Posted: Apr 3, 2019 at 11:15 Quote
marlon-d wrote:
. I think they really shutdown on Laziness to keep designing bikes that would keep up to modern designs. 27.5 Shocker, Lighter STD, 27.5/29” G-spot.

Not sure its laziness. To keep current now, you have to have a new design/model every 3 years, minimum. You also need different designs for each of the now many disciplines, and in a couple of wheelsizes. Keeping on top of all that R&D would be a hell of a lot of work (or take a lot of people), plus all the customer service side for the bikes you sold, plus all the other aspects of running the bike business.

I think it just wasn't sustainable, whilst keeping the work/life balance agreeable.
flag marlon-d
O+
Posted: Apr 3, 2019 at 11:18 Quote
tomhoward379 wrote:
marlon-d wrote:
. I think they really shutdown on Laziness to keep designing bikes that would keep up to modern designs. 27.5 Shocker, Lighter STD, 27.5/29” G-spot.

Not sure its laziness. To keep current now, you have to have a new design/model every 3 years, minimum. You also need different designs for each of the now many disciplines, and in a couple of wheelsizes. Keeping on top of all that R&D would be a hell of a lot of work (or take a lot of people), plus all the customer service side for the bikes you sold, plus all the other aspects of running the bike business.

I think it just wasn't sustainable, whilst keeping the work/life balance agreeable.

That’s another way of saying it, yes. Having spoken with an employee I feel my discription closely fits. He could have sold the name surely. But sometimes you want to hold on to what’s yours. I’m not intending to sound offensive towards Cove bicycles. There could’ve been more reaching out to other manufacturers and hiring of employees but they didn’t go that route. I will stand by my thoughts.

Edit: Laziness may not the the right word but it does fit. “Lack of interest” would also work. DC bike shop is still the best shop in the Vancouver area.
flag rideonjon
Posted: Apr 3, 2019 at 12:26 Quote
Cove bikes is no longer in Deep Cove it's close the the north end of the second narrows bridge,looks pretty sleepy in there when i ride by.
flag dhmtbr777
Posted: Apr 3, 2019 at 17:56 Quote
Super upset about Cove... wish they still made the shocker and STD.

And yes to another comment, Banshees are made in Taiwan and have been since the early 2000s. I snapped my dark side 2 seasons ago Frown
  • Previous Page

 


Copyright © 2000 - 2026. Pinkbike.com. All rights reserved.
dv56 0.007570
Mobile Version of Website