BearBack – Member
Google raceface and MEC.
Same Lbs/ supplier concerns as OP.. It wasn’t long after that raceface shut their doors!

Bit more to it with RaceFace, wasn’t there? Some shady goings on with senior staff were rumoured.

better stock up then 😉

As I pointed out before, it’s often not the big boys who have the best prices on Hope Hoops – which suggests Hope’s side of the story here is accurate.

Wonder if the OP will be back to thank them for supporting small bike shops?

Well, that’s all that cleared up.

This thread has turned into a ‘support your LBS’ thread, which I’m generally happy to do. To a point! Went to get some new shorts at a LBS the other day RRP £79.99. Same shorts at a large online retailer £55.99. i really dont mind paying a little extra at LBS. I can after all touch feel try on but when LBS is 40% dearer… There are margins in there somewhere! And to anyone wishing to educate me in retail theories/practicalities, I say 40%!!!

Wasn’t going to reinvigorate the thread, but as it’s reappeared anyway I will indeed thank Hope, both for making great products, and for supporting the independent dealer network. The personal phone call I had this morning was much appreciated, and must have taken a little bit of detective work to get my number.

Well done Hope, we will continue to sell as much of your product as we can, but that’s because we love it!

Now I wonder if a similar open letter to SRAM/Rock Shox would have the same affect??

I have phoned Hope a few times these past two months and their customer service has been fantastic. Eliminating my need to go to the LBS……….