Singular 2014 models delayed

Disappointed to hear there are supply issues. He has rendered images up of the models but unfortunately they are not the product they describe.

Rapidly losing confidence in the product. 🙁

This was going to be a purchase but I,m thinking of an alternative now. I wish more transparency were a recurring theme these days.

On the other hand, at least he’s holding his hands up and admitting there’s a problem (isn’t it to do with CEN testsing?).

I have some unfortunate news about the new Gryphons (and Swifts). I still have no definite date for delivery. There was an issue which came up during CEN testing, which has meant every frame has needed to have a gusset added under the headtube/downtube junction and then be re-painted. This of course all takes time – and of course your safety is paramount! I will be getting all pre-ordered frames air freighted so that those people with money down wait as little time as possible. In the mean-time I am taking no more pre-orders until I have a definite delivery date on the main stock. I’m really sorry for the delay, I’m doing everything I can to get the frames here as soon as possible.

looks pretty transparent to me. Must be tough for what is effectively a one man brand like singular.

Agree with Inpav – they are giving you great visibility of an unforeseen issue

If you’ve seen the quality of some On-one initial batch of bikes, then you’d be very pleased with Singular modifying each & every frame AND holding their hands up and explaining exactly what has happened

I’ve got a Puffin due in February – it might be late, it won’t be early – one of the drawbacks of getting a relatively ’boutique’ frame rather than a mass produced machine like a Trek, Specialised or Giant

The on-ones are near perfect given their price.

Patience! Get the right product, not a rushed product.

Blimey, bit of an over reaction OP, I’m sure Sam would like the frames here asap too so he can pay his mortgage! Better for you for him to tell the truth & fix the issues in the long run. Sam’s stuff is worth the wait believe me

I’d say that was pretty spot on transparency OP. If someone holds up their hands and says, it’s delayed, here’s the reasons, I think that’s taking it on the chin TBH.

I’ve been as clear and honest with customers and prospective customers as I know how. Unfortunately sometimes these things happen. Yes, I should have had a sample made of the final proto made and had that tested before going in to production. But I was in need of stock and wanted it to happen as quickly as possible – the previous batch had passed so I had every reason to suspect these would be fine. However some slight geometry and tubing changes meant they fell just the wrong side of the line. However I would rather make sure something is right than take the chance. If that means I lose a few orders (which has already happened) and some folks lose confidence then so be it. But I’d like to think that those with a reasonable view of how the production process works will only have their confidence increased that they will be a product as good as I know how to make them.

He has rendered images up of the models but unfortunately they are not the product they describe.

In what way? I think they are pretty accurate, though not 100% – they are renders, not photos. Substantially they reflect the changes which are being made to the frames.

Thanks guys for the support – this is tough but we will get there!

Sam

I’ve a medium swift frame+fork (and headset, and stuff) in the shed if anyones feeling impatient………..£300

The on-ones are near perfect given their price.

🙂 & 😀 & indeed 😆

They’re functional. Heavy, presumably to make passing tests easy without getting stuck in the loop of refining and prototyping endlessly. And usualy covered in rack eyes, cable guides and allsorts. And occasionaly just dont work like the short HT on c456 cant actualy take a tapered fork without a spacer, or chainstays that need hitting with hammers to clear chainrings, or the ‘fileline’ titus.

They’re bargains and ride brilliantly, and very versatile, who else makes freeride/trail/all-mountain/whatever bikes with rack mounts, but its the perfection that suffers!

So the frame was under designed and needs a gusset ? or CEN testing is ott .Non of my non gusset old frames have broken !

Rapidly losing confidence in the product.

On the plus side the product is built with technology over 50 years old, so how much confidence does one need in welding some well understood steel tubes together?

On the minus the requirement for the gusset suggests the original design was slightly wrong and the loads weren’t fully appreciated.

Rapidly losing confidence in the product.

what a load of bollocks

there’s a minor issue that pre CEN wouldn’t have been an problem and the guy is totally upfront about it. If anything that gives me confidence

Hey Sam, by the time they do arrive, I’ll have got bored of what I’m riding and will buy something off you 🙂

It’s blooming hard work being a one man band and I know Sam is meticulous abotu the products he releases. Cut the man a bit of slack, he’s doing the right thing even it if means a bit of a wait.

Great to see people supporting Sam and his great brand

Looking forward to my first ever Singular 🙂

Can’t see how much more Sam could have done. He’s given early warning of a potential delay early on. That shows great customer service and a commitment to quality. As others have said that gives me more faith in the brand

dragon – Member

On the minus the requirement for the gusset suggests the original design was slightly wrong

Ot the manufacturing wasn’t up to spec, but the quality control caught it, and this is the fix.

Sam’s a great guy. I’m a terrible customer: enquire about bikes all the time and i’ve only ever bought a set of rims! and they got warrantied!

If sam did a trek and just pushed the delivery date 2 weeks at a time for 3 months people would moan about that. As far as i can see he’s been totally honest and all people can do is complain!

Can’t win!!

Sam, I’ll pay you the cost of a frame NOT to sell the OP one.

;0)

Ot the manufacturing wasn’t up to spec, but the quality control caught it, and this is the fix.

I don’t believe that for a minute, if it was you’d tell them to scrap the lot at their expense and build you some new ones.

Sad news but the up front update mustn’t be groaned at.

Now Sam ….. (sucks teeth) ….. Could you extend that early offer for a Swift frameset ….. 😉

Given the colourway looks very similar to the Puffin I could maybe sneak in another passed Mrs LMTTM …..

No dear its the same bike with different wheels ……

On the minus the requirement for the gusset suggests the original design was slightly wrong

It wasn’t ‘wrong’ per se, it was fine under the standards for which it was produced at the time (2007). Since then the CEN standards have been introduced, which are more rigorous than the old BS – some might say excessive. The previous batch of Swifts just scraped through. I have had a handful of M size Swift frames fail at the downtube. I tweaked the tubing and geo slightly which I thought would be enough to give us some wiggle room, tuns out it didn’t. It’s a fine balance to achieve, weight and ride quality on one side, passing standards on the other.

I don’t believe that for a minute, if it was you’d tell them to scrap the lot at their expense and build you some new ones.

Then you’d be another 3 months down the track and customers would be even more pissed off. Maybe it was one tube slightly off, who knows. I thought the safest thing to do was add the gusset, ask the (mostly) understanding folks to wait a little while and get a frame in which they can have complete confidence.

Can’t imagine many other bike companies being so proactive in communication and debate with their customers. I’m sure the new models will be well worth the slightly longer wait!

I ve the upmost respect for Sam.

One of the reasons I chose Singular for my fat bike is BECAUSE he is Singular.

It is Very Very Very hard being a “ONE MAN BAND” in business and all the the HOOPS they have to jump through.

So Sam keep going and I will look forward to my puffin landing in the new year.
Doubters Doubt so what 😆

There s a pint in the tap for you if you ever visit Speyside 😀

I retract everything I said and I WILL be purchasing a Swift.

Partly owing to the fact that the transparency issues were resolved with SAM being prompt and polite in his delivery and the views of other single-track members.

Cannot wait. Even if its a little longer. Cheers SAM.

Does anyone know when the due date is ?

I’d like a swift for the new year ?

Cheers.