It’s been awful quiet here lately at The Kingdom, what with constant delays to the Brigante/Savant and quite the list of personal issues. Fortunately for me my issues go away when I spend time working on some top quality projects, even if it is only for a few hours.
While working on my latest design, I got to thinking who our target audience is. It takes a certain kind of person to be attracted to small, tight knit companies like us. I’m not talking about your average joe gotta have the next demo and the widest bars around, I’m talking about your sophisticated rider with a keen eye for detail, with specific likes and dislikes.
The kind of rider that doesn’t care for trends, that has at least one bike circa 2011, that doesn’t get caught up in all the bullshit mainstream companies use to say their product works best. Maybe a little bit eccentric too.
So, I propose this question. What do you want? What’s your dream bike?
hi,
i want Brigante Carbon with 140mm travel fork & Sram XX1. I’m hoping to have fork like Fox Talas or RS’s Dual Position to be able change travel for the needs of trail.
When? How much?
Your guess is as good as mine mate. Recent events have forced us to look for a new factory, losing the last 6 months of work. I’d love to see it by the end of the year myself but it’s all still up in the air. As for cost the frame should set you back £899.
I want an Xc based 29er dual sus before the 2014 wildside. Also a carbon fibre downhill rig would also kick ass, make it look sexy though.
The question of “what do I want” or “what is my dream bike” is difficult to answer; the bike is the tool and the trail is the want and the dream. When I’m out riding I tend to have more on my mind that what chichi bike/parts I want to be riding; unfortunately I can’t be out riding all the time which means I look at the web and magazines so my brain is exposed to all the marketing bumf and absorbs it all like a sponge. There is a part of me that is crying out for information on 2013′s newly stickered up, lighter, better, faster, sticker-ier wonder bikes; but somewhere hidden at the back of my brain is the sensible part which knows new stuff won’t guarantee to increase my enjoyment of the sport I love… hell, I love riding my broken and welded1995 rigid singlespeed Kona Explosif.
To get me excited about a new bike I want to see a genuine innovation and/or commitment; which is where the little bike companies like Kingdom come in. Designing and building a bike for a little company is not the same as the big boys corporate bullshit bingo, “filling a gap in the line” and/or “accessing a new market”… it’s about the love of bikes and getting out there and riding them… and I for one respect that. I first came here to look at the Foia but it’s the spirit of making bikes to suit yourselves that has me still hanging around… what I buy next depends on where my biking takes me over the next few months or years, but I’ll be sure to look in here as I like what Kingdom are doing.
thepimpmessiah – we drink from the same rivers and obviously ride for the same reasons as you do. What fantastic comments to write, and we thank you for that. Genuinely. That also goes out to everyone who writes and responds to us, or who gives a shit. Even just a little bit. So keep hanging around. We’re committed, just like you. We’re fighting just like you. And we’re laughing, just like you. If there’s something that you don’t see here, but have an idea about – contact us. We’re always listening.
I’d like a ti road bike with a racy geometry, room for mudguards and rack mounts. But fairly light and sporty, and doesn’t cost the earth.
From an MTB point of view, a lightweight 29er that is an absolute hooligan with the seat down and a fantastic race bike with it up (just like the Double9!)
Mike – love your thinking. The early version of the Legion, was such a snappy, slim fitting MTB frame – that we were giggling like school girls at the thought of turning it into a road frame. And it may still happen. Light and sporty. Versatile. Hard as fcuk, and adaptable. To be honest – the ‘doesn’t cost the earth’ is something that we’re really working on. Suppliers are a dime a dozen. Partners/Providers on the other hand are rare. So when we do find craftsmen and providers of the highest quality – it normally comes with a shiny price tag. But again we’re working on it… Thanks for writing btw…
Dream bike? The child of a Ti Brigante and a Krampus. Big tires, a geometry to go down and designed so the rider can toss together a SS or geared bike. Rigid fork optional.
yep, also, what about titanium Brigante ?
Availability? All our Ti frames are custom order so you can adjust the geometry to your liking. Shoot an email over to chris@kingdombike.com for more info.
Holding out for a full suss 29er in the hope that the Savant will arrive. Please keep us informed of progress.