Post by Radchenister on Mar 28, 2013 10:59:48 GMT
This does raise a key point, my buddy bought 2 weekends back and could have stretched out to things in the carbon range and is sufficient rider to do them justice - when I pushed him towards the T5 he said yep but at £300 it's a 'no brainer', I can ride the red one everywhere, park it in a bike shed at work and not worry about it too much.
Let's face it, the price point v practical value of the Red T3 is literally outstanding.
Those in retail sometimes can't see the wood for the trees and overlook the power of price points when putting over the pluses of the new bikes (It's a lovely bike but I really don't believe a T5a is giving £100s away, unless of course you go and buy the additions at top dollar retail and we all know about large companies and trade prices): push someone past their spend threshold or make them feel like they're compromising on quality and the deal begins to look shaky.
The original T3 was sat there right in the cost v value sweet-spot for many - that's why there's so many happy owners. I would go as far as to say that dealing with 3 issues would have made the scenario almost perfect:
A. Offer a saddle choice and price adjustment (would have spent a bit more if given options).
B. Offer a pedal choice and price adjustment (would have spent a bit more as above).
A and B are key points for rider engagement and comfort - they should be the focus of any bike retailer, as they play a big part in rider / bike interaction.
C. Design: it's nice and simple the Red T3, not pretentious; however, the UPPER case style was better, the 'carbon fork' comment a tad silly and stick man logo is a bit naff (much of this addressed already on the new bikes but as I've said elsewhere, some of the new decals are OTT IMO ).
You might extend the choices / price adjustment idea to wheel upgrades, as putting Mavics straight on would be ideal - many are doing this via buying elsewhere, so Decathlon are missing a trick; how about an offer for after sales discount on upgrade wheels then Decathlon, offered to people who've bought a Triban?
You might even envisage this extending to group-set over time, although I'm not sure that would be doable at local outlet level with consistent mech' standards?
I'm not overly bothered on levers and group sets etc. though, I have owned and ridden perhaps 8 new MTBs over the years (£600 - £2K) and once functioning, it wasn't which group set that determined which rider was up that hill first. With an SRAM cassette and chain the T3 runs perfectly - I'd like to know how owners get on with the T5a; my view is if I wear it all out, I will be worthy of a fancy entire group-set upgrade and a medal; where will I look to buy it (somewhere which is best price or perhaps somewhere giving me after sales preferential treatment )?
If Decathlon could sort their after sales and optional extras they would be THE place offering a one stop shop for all that anyone needed. Don't get me wrong, I am a big fan of Decathlon but with a few tweaks they could be even better.
My tuppeneth on it, take it of leave it .
Let's face it, the price point v practical value of the Red T3 is literally outstanding.
Those in retail sometimes can't see the wood for the trees and overlook the power of price points when putting over the pluses of the new bikes (It's a lovely bike but I really don't believe a T5a is giving £100s away, unless of course you go and buy the additions at top dollar retail and we all know about large companies and trade prices): push someone past their spend threshold or make them feel like they're compromising on quality and the deal begins to look shaky.
The original T3 was sat there right in the cost v value sweet-spot for many - that's why there's so many happy owners. I would go as far as to say that dealing with 3 issues would have made the scenario almost perfect:
A. Offer a saddle choice and price adjustment (would have spent a bit more if given options).
B. Offer a pedal choice and price adjustment (would have spent a bit more as above).
A and B are key points for rider engagement and comfort - they should be the focus of any bike retailer, as they play a big part in rider / bike interaction.
C. Design: it's nice and simple the Red T3, not pretentious; however, the UPPER case style was better, the 'carbon fork' comment a tad silly and stick man logo is a bit naff (much of this addressed already on the new bikes but as I've said elsewhere, some of the new decals are OTT IMO ).
You might extend the choices / price adjustment idea to wheel upgrades, as putting Mavics straight on would be ideal - many are doing this via buying elsewhere, so Decathlon are missing a trick; how about an offer for after sales discount on upgrade wheels then Decathlon, offered to people who've bought a Triban?
You might even envisage this extending to group-set over time, although I'm not sure that would be doable at local outlet level with consistent mech' standards?
I'm not overly bothered on levers and group sets etc. though, I have owned and ridden perhaps 8 new MTBs over the years (£600 - £2K) and once functioning, it wasn't which group set that determined which rider was up that hill first. With an SRAM cassette and chain the T3 runs perfectly - I'd like to know how owners get on with the T5a; my view is if I wear it all out, I will be worthy of a fancy entire group-set upgrade and a medal; where will I look to buy it (somewhere which is best price or perhaps somewhere giving me after sales preferential treatment )?
If Decathlon could sort their after sales and optional extras they would be THE place offering a one stop shop for all that anyone needed. Don't get me wrong, I am a big fan of Decathlon but with a few tweaks they could be even better.
My tuppeneth on it, take it of leave it .