We’re a stones throw from the Peak National Park and whilst testing our own Sonder frames in the Peaks and beyond we’ve developed a range of bike components dedicated to riding in Europes wildest places. 650b+ complete wheelsets, stem cap bottle adaptors, bars, seat posts, trailside mini-tools. Coming in December are:

Rumpus 650b+ complete wheelsets
Love Mud Stem Cap Bottle Cage Adaptor
Membar Flared Drop Bars
Aspect Riser Bar
Scope Flat Bar
Pronghorn Drop Bars
Piskie Stem
Storc Seat Post
Rumour Head Set
Trailside Tool Set

– https://www.alpkit.com/develop/love-mud-650b-wheels-bars-stems

Hmm, sounds interesting.
Hopefully it’s not just rebranded Chinese stuff like Superstar/on-one.

I don’t see the point in this, take for instance drop bars they have been around for over 100 years and there are some pretty well established manufactures, what can Alpkit they bring to the table?

Seems like they are just going to become Planet-X/ On-One 😥

rebranded chinese stuff …. isnt that their business model ? – allows them to concentrate on improving things they have control over. their bike packing kits pretty good – their thermarest copies – not so much.

*pulls up a chair*

I don’t see the point in this, take for instance drop bars they have been around for over 100 years and there are some pretty well established manufactures, what can Alpkit they bring to the table?

Seems like they are just going to become Planet-X/ On-One

The same was true when On-One produced the Mungo, Mary and Midge bars.

I had to look those up and what I see is handlebar designs from 1900. These were abandoned by the majority because normal drops work better.

I like Alpkit but i’m not sure a move into bikes is a great move, stick to the things that made them good.

there’s quite a lot of people using midges these days. Or the salsa woodchip. They’re not used in place of roadie drops.

However, I agree on some criticisms about the Alpkit plan.

standard design finishing gear is all well and good, but there’s plenty of other high volume brans out there can bring the same catalogue stuff in for less.

Specialising in components that are modified for bike packing use however, would be a good place to go, and where premium prices could be charged – think a stem or bar designed with bags or mounts or brackets or bottle cages in mind.

is this not just Alpkit branded components for your Alpkit branded bike?

Nothing particularly wrong with that.

what can Alpkit they bring to the table?

nowt really, but why not offer it if you have the ability to do so?

I had to look those up and what I see is handlebar designs from 1900. These were abandoned by the majority because normal drops work better.

Depends who you think the majority are? I’d not be surprised if drop bars and ‘normal’ raiser or flat bars are actually the minority. Think about what bikes look like on the continent, in Africa or in Asia. ‘Bent’ bars are far more common when being aero or gnarr aren’t the priorities.

I hope some of it will be bikepacking specific to go with the bikes, but hope the wheels won’t be boost (but they probably will be because I think the frames are too).

I’d say a B+ wheelset would have to be Boost, but maybe they’ll offer a choice.

The toolkit might be an opportunity for some original thinking. As for the rest, I don’t see the point in trying to compete with the existing low-cost brands unless there’s some USP.

I don’t know why company X makes Y when company Z already does so.

This is why only Dunlop make pneumatic tyres, only Mercedes Benz make cars and only the only vacuum cleaner you can buy is made by Hoover.

If I were making B+ wheelsets I’d be damn sure to offer standard width, or I wouldn’t expect to sell many at all.

Looking to have more control over the parts and accessories specified on their own bikes is a great move and if you are making them for complete bikes why not offer them as a separate range also.

Always find it strange when people complain about having more choice in the marketplace.

And how can people get so judgmental on the basis of that poxy webpage? Did I miss the details? It’s just a vague list innit?

And how can people get so judgmental on the basis of that poxy webpage? Did I miss the details? It’s just a vague list innit?

STW innit?

I’d say a B+ wheelset would have to be Boost, but maybe they’ll offer a choice.

Given the frame they are for is boost id say its a certainty, be nice if there was a 135 option tho.

What is the standard hub width for B+?

You know what I mean fannybaws.

😆 Its a point though, will there be too many chainline/clearance issues to make a wide-rimmed, proper 3.0-tyred combination work with a 135mm rear end? And this thread shows the issue with trying to shoe-horn them into 29er forks.

I like Alpkit but i’m not sure a move into bikes is a great move, stick to the things that made them good

Alpkit do outdoor equipment, bikes (and accessories/parts) kind of fall into that category so I would say it is their natural territory…

rebranded Chinese stuff

Not everyone is keen to piss all their disposable income away on hope parts…

stick to the things that made them good

Like offering good value stuff that they use themselves. Climbing, paddling, biking and general outdoors weekender kit? The guys there ride plenty, it’s not just a new thing since Brant got involved. I imagine that helped things along : ) but they’ve wanted to do bike kit for a long time.

Good to see it happening.

Pretty much what Jameso said.

I for one welcome it – and hopefully a new version of the Luxy bar 🙂

Anyone notice that the OP link onto the alp kit website was posted by a David hanney, same name as person ex Planet X and Go Outdoors ?

Now with added linkedin

Yep, former director at OO is current director at alpkit, not that surprising they are following a similar business model

Maybe they want to do what on-one does without all the sportsdirect for bikes crap that streams from planet x at the moment.