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Quite interested in one of their frames having read the reviews, but no phone response and the website has been in maintenance mode for days.
Anybody know what is going on? Have they gone? Laying a large amount of cash down for a niche player bike is always a bit worrying in terms of long term support, but this makes me even more concerned. A long warranty is only good if there is somebody around to honour it!
HSBC will be hoping they haven't! Spotted one of their bikes in the adverts on the jetway at Heathrow the other day!
I have noticed this too and I'm looking to buy next year, I reckon it'll be fine.
HSBC will be hoping they haven’t! Spotted one of their bikes in the adverts on the jetway at Heathrow the other day
Ha. Spotted that too
There is one hanging up on the stairs at Bristol Science Park. Was kind of hoping they might bring out a robot e-bike.
In my experience when companies do go pop the last thing anyone worries about it taking down the website. I'd guess - very small company, maintaining their own website and launching a new site/moving to a new host. Doing it in December as it's a dead time for bike sales. And/or away on holiday.
Renishaw still have one on display at their technology Centre too - as of a couple of weeks ago anyway. They are the company that supply the metal 3D printing capabilities for the lugs.
Facebook page is now hidden or gone. Hmmm
Rumor is UBYK were involved 😉
Last Instagram post was 13th October. I hope they haven't gone bump, I was hoping to pick one up this coming summer.
Fingers crossed they are still around.
I love what they did and seemed reasonably priced consider what you got (compared to Evil & Yeti).
It was niche though and I've never seen one in the wild. Massive press release push a couple years ago and since then they've just got quieter.
In my experience when companies do go pop the last thing anyone worries about it taking down the website.
It's the first thing I would do so no one bought anything online that I couldn't provide.
They have definitely gone pop
🙁 If so that's a real shame
What a shame.
That's a pity.
I really liked what they were producing, just not enough to buy one.
Had a short spin on one at Ft Bill demo, it felt really good.
<blockquoteRumor is UBYK were involved
That's a surprise and a shame
Looks like one of the co-founders went back to a line role in November. If they have gone pop it's a shame - a great idea, well executed and clearly differentiated against other frame options.
The bikes weren't for me but it is a shame they have gone bust.
They will be well sought after on retrobike in the years to come.
That’ a real shame. I test rode one and I really wanted to like it more, so I could buy it! I thought what Ed was doing, his passion for it and the way he was trying to make it happen was fantastic.
Much as I liked the concept, I did think it would be difficult to sell custom geometry full-sus bikes when MTB geometry has been changing so much in recent years.
With road bikes things are much more settled so you might choose a custom frame to get a perfect fit. But the MTBs I’ve ridden over the last five years have got about 60mm longer in reach (let alone the decrease in head angle and increases in seat angle, chainstay length and wheelbase) but each one felt like a great fit when I got it. How can you commit to a very expensive custom build when you know it might feel too small in a few years time?
A shame it didn’t work out for them.
The bikes frames were way out of my price range, but we're definitely on my lotto winner list. Loved the concept, manufacturing process, finish etc.
chiefgrooveguru - you've got the problem of ever changing geo/standards with any bike you buy.
We (the public) may never find out why/if they have gone pop. They are still listed as active on companies house so may just be rearranging the company. Link
Personally I'd have thought it's a case of getting too big too quick when costs are rising left right and centre.
Too big too quick?
I've never seen one in the wild. I suspect they simply didn't sell anywhere near enough to justify the effort involved.
Shame for the people involved if they've used their life savings up, but it was a very high end product aimed at a very small section of the MTB community.
Three base models, multiple full-time staff, permanent site location, bills getting more expensive. Sometimes it pays to work on a smaller scale.
No idea though. It's just me guessing. It all depends on how the finances worked.
I get you now, can't argue with that.
Curious where people are getting the information about them going pop? Their company status is still currently 'Active' on the companies house, I think it would be a shame if they have gone.
things change that's all anyone can say I'm told
They have (or, more accurately, are in the process of going pop)
As the OP, I would also be interested to know the source of 'yes they have gone pop'.
I am sure that selling a domestically produce niche product with high R&D overheads and seemingly big investment was always a difficult business model, but hopefully this is a temporary pop rather than a catastrophic failure.
Did you see their prices?
And then they made a bike to fit you.
And if you wanted to sell it you have to find a bloke your shape and of similar intent.
With a lot of money.
FAIL.
I think that's very far from a fail in this day and age
Using cutting edge technology to make a bespoke product in the UK.
WIN
That it comes at a price is just a factor of the costs involved (and actually that price was not much different to a mass produced plastic frame from Taiwan from the likes of Yeti or Santa Cruz).
Time was that most frames were hand made, custom sized and domestically sourced. If I buy something bespoke, the last thing I worry about is selling it. That’s missing the point. Clearly it wasn’t for everyone (and it would appear not enough people agreed), but I don’t think that the concept was a fail at all. It was never meant to be a mass market product, but so often these kind of niche cutting edge products shape the mass production methods and products of tomorrow.
Proper Shane.
Out of the box thinking, UK design and manufacture.
And then they made a bike to fit you.
And if you wanted to sell it you have to find a bloke your shape and of similar intent.
Ever heard of custom built frames? They've been around for a while...
these kind of niche cutting edge products shape the mass production methods and products of tomorrow.
A robot bike prototype, circa 1992.
These methods have been tried, nearly 30 years ago, and they weren't a success then. The Robot bike prices were heinous, the frames looked like a high school project and the graphics were awful. Factor that with the fact that there's enough variation in MTB geometry now that there's a bike out there to suit most body shapes, it was destined to fail.
As the OP, I would also be interested to know the source of ‘yes they have gone pop’
Me too they must know more than Ed who I spoke with Friday and mentioned this very thread.
Very harsh. That 1992 ‘prototype’ had welded ti tubes posing as lugs not 3D printed complex forms. It wasn’t bespoke. It wasn’t full suspension. In fairness the concept of lugged bicycle construction predates 1992 by many years if you want to use that particular analogy. It was nevertheless a beautiful looking thing (IMHO). Guess that’s why I liked the look of Robotbike. The graphics weren’t amazing agreed but I wouldn’t make a bike choice on that basis. And as for the ‘heinous’ price, thanks to current exchange rates it was comparable to certain brands of mass produced Taiwanese plastic bike. Nothing wrong with those at all. Both are different rather than better/worse.
It’s easy to poopoo innovation but without companies like Robotbike throughout the history of mountain biking we would still be riding clunkers. I for one think it is sad when a company like this fails. Armchair internet critics add far less value to the evolution of our sport than plucky start ups who give it a go. Actually without innovators being bold, following their ideas regardless of doubters we wouldn’t have computers or the internet to pass such comments. I am not saying that everything new and shiny is necessarily good, but evolution never has been a smooth linear journey. The people who set up the company invested time and probably personal cash in following their dream and if the company has indeed gone pop that’s a shame.
Plus I never read anything less than a glowing review of their bikes (hence my interest).
Robot bike prices were heinous....it was destined to fail.
I think this sums it up for most people.
A mate of mine had one of those epic ultimates,vpretty sure that was 3k back then plus the carbon fork which was another 600 quid
A chap called Ralf was doing the whole 3d printed lug carbon tube thing as far back as 2012
Renishaw did the whole bike as a PR vehicle
The clever thing 3d printing brought was it allowed robot to pi joint traditional and custom frames with no distortion and minimal tooling which when you start looking into industry are smart methods.
Bastion cycles in Australia however do something similar
Very very loosely ,Personally whenever we try to make anything that involves 3d printing there seems to be an easier cheaper route to market and there's an arcam sat at our disposal should we want to print something , Though I do know it's possible to make a handlebar lighter than its carbon equivalent and this was proved in top level road racing.
Me too they must know more than Ed who I spoke with Friday and mentioned this very thread.
so what is happening? is it just changes?
I admit that I thought of the Specialized Epic Ultimate when I first saw the Robot frames, but reading up on them they are very different. The fundamental difference being that the 'lugs' aren't lugs in the conventional sense at all. They surround the tubes from the inside as well as the outside so arguably much stronger. Whether they are any better than a conventional high end carbon frame is debatable (and I've no idea) but they are pretty rad, and if I had the money they'd be top of the list of frames to buy as I like different ideas.
And then they made a bike to fit you.
And if you wanted to sell it you have to find a bloke your shape and of similar intent.Ever heard of custom built frames? They’ve been around for a while…
With very little benefit for most people. The custom frames we did with Nicolai tended to be for people who were either very large or heavy or very small (which never worked so well). There was a small category of customers who wanted to do something different that worked pretty well as free R&D for Nicolai - there were a few 'regular' models that came directly out of customer custom frames.
I'm guessing most Robot customers would have taken a regular 'off the shelf' geometry so you're then into a simple question of whether the manufacturing process gives any real world riding benefits (which seemed doubtful) or produced a bike that appealed visually. (and I think the look of the bike was probably pretty marmite).
Seem to have morphed into Atherton Bikes...
https://www.athertonbikes.com/
Well I wasn't expecting that!
Brilliant curveball.
It's good, I think, they were doing itneresting and innovative things with technology in bike manufacturing so I'm glad they're able to continue.
Hopefully they'll offer a more 'trail' type bike sooner rather than later.
Good on them 🙂
*like*
Great news
Brilliant curveball.
Exactly. Kudos for them keeping this under wraps so well.
Always loved the RobotBike stuff and was disappointed to see this thread and now this!
Good to hear Weagle is still involved too.
Linkage is still secret it seems.
simons_nicolai-uk
I’m guessing most Robot customers would have taken a regular ‘off the shelf’ geometry so you’re then into a simple question of whether the manufacturing process gives any real world riding benefits (which seemed doubtful) or produced a bike that appealed visually. (and I think the look of the bike was probably pretty marmite).
I was keen on recreating my G16 as one of their frames - same geometry rebuilt in lighter carbon did appeal. That said, I'm not sure if the mix of Ti and carbon ends up with a bike that's basically the same as aluminium.
Looking at the insta' post from Dan, it looks like they'll be running Trickstuff brakes.
Always fancied a robot bike with DW link - currently on a Ibis Ripley v2. May look a lot closer when they design and release a trail bike 🙂
Looking at the insta’ post from Dan, it looks like they’ll be running Trickstuff brakes.
Yeah, it’s all over trickstuffs insta.
Arghh, I really wanted a Robot r130 but I thought it was too late and I've talked myself into an Ibis, I always thought that a custom geometry DH bike was the best application of the Robot system.
.
Doesn't help their product looked like something off of the 90s. I'm not trying to be harsh... genuine observation. Can't see how anything high end can he viable unless it's pretty.
I don't get what all the hype was about. Reminds me of those terrible Raleigh special product titanium bikes with the bonded tubes.
Doesn’t help their product looked like something off of the 90s. I’m not trying to be harsh… genuine observation. Can’t see how anything high end can he viable unless it’s pretty.
I don’t get what all the hype was about. Reminds me of those terrible Raleigh special product titanium bikes with the bonded tubes.
Can't stand all the "swoopy tube" s*** so the Robot aesthetic is a breath of fresh air. Think it looks bang on and wish I could afford one.
Can’t see how anything high end can he viable unless it’s pretty.
Heard of a Porsche Cayenne or Bentley Bentayga?
I don’t get what all the hype was about.
Did you look into it, other than just what it looks like? Doesn't appear so.
Can’t see how anything high end can he viable unless it’s pretty.
Explain Ellsworth then!
Be fair hols, those are all old designs. The new stuff is much ni...oh.
That second Dare is almost the same as mine was. It actually rode exactly as good as it looked.
I always thought that Tony Ellsworth’s Labrador Retriever designed his bikes.
I always thought that Tony Ellsworth’s Labrador Retriever designed his bikes.
I just assumed that they'd bought a shipload of random parts and got some monkeys to play around until they found some parts with holes that lined up.
I always liked the look of these apart from the down tube stickers but the coated finish on the DH bike looks even better.
A quick look on companies house website shows they have gone pop- into voluntary liquidation, left a few debts behind.
Looking at the insta’ post from Dan, it looks like they’ll be running Trickstuff brakes.
Yeah, a rumour is they pi$$ed of Hope so were dropped. Funny seeing the blacked out Hope cranks on the bike though.
Personally not a fan of the Robot Bike look but interested to see how this bike pans out.
But no financial backing from historical sales of bikes, no big vehicle sponsor, just Red Bull and some components, (okay I'm belittling a bit), but they must have amassed some serious funds now to support their racing - I'm impressed, a bold move.
But no financial backing from historical sales of bikes, no big vehicle sponsor, just Red Bull and some components, (okay I’m belittling a bit), but they must have amassed some serious funds now to support their racing – I’m impressed, a bold move.
Just a multi millionaire business tycoon...
Tbf, I’m not convinced Hope would have wanted the competition. It couldn’t have ended well.
There would have been endless comparisons with the HB160 before you start on how picked over decisions to use one component but not another would be. And from Robot/Atherton’s POV, I’m sure they wouldn’t want to be too tied to Hope.
Going to be interesting to see how an MTB celeb branded company works out shifting a high cost product.
I always kind of cringe when folk like Hoy, Wiggins and Pendleton try and build brands out of their name. To be fair to Boardman he’s actually done pretty well out of it, but the brand is still a bit naff isn’t it?
Kind of think/hope the Athertons might be able to buck that recent trend, but guess we’ll see.
Oh I just found out about this from some stw article.
Looked like a possible future Turner replacement to me.
Nothing on Twitter either.
Branding is a funny thing. I started this thread because I was genuinely about to place an order for a Robotbike.
I do have a lot of respect for the Athertons but I can’t ‘associate’ with them or the kind of riding that they do. Despite being the same product as Robotbike, the fact that it has their name on the down tube is a deal breaker for me.
A bike brand can be somewhat rider and discipline agnostic. But a bike branded with a rider’s name has more narrow and direct associations. I am not a downhiller.
Is that a fickle and shallow reason not to buy an Atherton frame when it is ultimately the same tech and construction as a Robotbike frame? Maybe a bit, but at the same time it is all part of the equation.
But the decision to name the brand Atherton rather than keep Robotbike, or indeed call it something different altogether is quite polarising. Some will love it, some won’t. I just want to reiterate that I have the greatest of respect and admiration for all involved. They are amazing riders, and seem nice. The creative, technical and commercial partners are all amazing at what they do. Downhill just isn’t the side of the sport that appeals to me, and I would rather not have a downhiller’s name on a trail bike, particularly long after their career is over.
The decision not to call the bike brand something different (yet still have the same backers and ownership structure) was clearly calculated to leverage the Athertons’ name, but in this case it has backfired for me. A new name would have broadened and lengthened the bikes’ appeal. I just couldn’t see an Atherton road bike or cross bike or gravel bike or hardtail or short travel bike having the same relevance as a long travel bike does. And from a commercial perspective this will undoubtedly limit their potential market given that the technology has this capability and these are probably bigger markets than downhill bikes alone.
And so sadly, I am out!
Tbf, I’m not convinced Hope would have wanted the competition. It couldn’t have ended well.
There would have been endless comparisons with the HB160 before you start on how picked over decisions to use one component but not another would be. And from Robot/Atherton’s POV, I’m sure they wouldn’t want to be too tied to Hope.
I was only thinking about the HB160 and this when I read the announcement.
Cover the logos?
Sure. Spend the best part of £4K on a bike from a brand you don’t associate with and then stick Gorilla tape all over it. Seems quite a reasonable solution (said nobody ever).
BTW what happens to the Robotbike debt? Does the new company pay the previous creditors or does this Phoenix rise debt free from the ashes?
Going to be interesting to see how an MTB celeb branded company works out shifting a high cost product.
Hmm after a year or two you use the branding you’ve built on the high end pimp stuff to shift something with a lower price tag. Entry level 🙂
BTW what happens to the Robotbike debt? Does the new company pay the previous creditors or does this Phoenix rise debt free from the ashes
Hmm was it robot bike ltd 🙂
Spend the best part of £4K on a bike from a brand you don’t associate with and then stick Gorilla tape all over it.
Or... Get the bike you want, get some professional decals done (with robots logo on, if you like, invisiframe do a great job at this) so it allows you to ‘associate’ with it. Whatever that means.
Good luck getting one for £4K though.
Athertons a totally different legal entity so effectively it’s tough shit to anyone owed by Robot Bike.
It’s the joy of a limited company, Course behind the scenes you could make amends to keep previous suppliers goodwill etc.