Pro bike: JLT Condor team reveal new look bikes and kit

RobD wrote:

Are the yellow arm stripes a little bit of a dig at Rapha perhaps?
All in all I really like the kit, and the bikes look great, a bit more exciting than all black, but not too over the top.
I still really want a Super Acciaio, although I don't think they're stainless steel are they? (or is there another new version?)

There is a stainless Acciao (Columbus XCR, very nice) but not a stainless Super Acciaio. They have different geometries.

I used to want one, but on both my trips to Condor recently to drop money on a frame I was roundly ignored so took my money elsewhere.

Chasseur Patate wrote:

....... I used to want one, but on both my trips to Condor recently to drop money on a frame I was roundly ignored so took my money elsewhere.

We must have something in common. I recently stood at the bar of an almost empty pub for a full two minutes while the owner, who was in plain view, blanked me and carried on checking his bank statements.
My wife was a little surprised when, minus drinks, I collected her from the table and marched her back to the car.
I'd rather be abused than ignored and will never darken his doorstep again.

I'm really surprised you were ignored or felt ignored. I've used Condor on and off for over 20 odd years and find the staff very helpful and one thing I do not see them do is ignore customers.

perfect1964 wrote:

I'm really surprised you were ignored or felt ignored. I've used Condor on and off for over 20 odd years and find the staff very helpful and one thing I do not see them do is ignore customers.

Not once, but twice. I got over it quite quickly though and bought elsewhere.

Chasseur Patate wrote:

perfect1964 wrote:

I'm really surprised you were ignored or felt ignored. I've used Condor on and off for over 20 odd years and find the staff very helpful and one thing I do not see them do is ignore customers.

Not once, but twice. I got over it quite quickly though and bought elsewhere.

That is unfortunate, sorry to hear it. I've always booked ahead before seeking to buy a frame/bike because they are notoriously busy. You're given the red carpet treatment if you are organised like that.

perfect1964 wrote:

I'm really surprised you were ignored or felt ignored. I've used Condor on and off for over 20 odd years and find the staff very helpful and one thing I do not see them do is ignore customers.

customer service is not their strong point I'd say, and I have bought two Condor bikes there, so speak of experience. I've noticed over the years (it's better now) that not all their staff are equally knowledgeable and some of them have a snobbish attitude if you're not deemed 'serious' enough.

Metjas wrote:

perfect1964 wrote:

I'm really surprised you were ignored or felt ignored. I've used Condor on and off for over 20 odd years and find the staff very helpful and one thing I do not see them do is ignore customers.

customer service is not their strong point I'd say, and I have bought two Condor bikes there, so speak of experience. I've noticed over the years (it's better now) that not all their staff are equally knowledgeable and some of them have a snobbish attitude if you're not deemed 'serious' enough.

I think you're right that the customer service has improved over time. I've bought three bikes from them in the past few years and have been impressed by them every time. One thought is that Condor is more likely to attract experienced cyclists than newbies, and the former are more likely to know what they want and prefer browsing without being pestered. The staff are probably sensitive to this.

consciousbadger wrote:

I think you're right that the customer service has improved over time. I've bought three bikes from them in the past few years and have been impressed by them every time. One thought is that Condor is more likely to attract experienced cyclists than newbies, and the former are more likely to know what they want and prefer browsing without being pestered. The staff are probably sensitive to this.

Walking past and not returning a 'hi' or standing around en-masse fawning over a Rapha clad girl talking mudguards and ignoring everyone else is not being in tune to a buyers needs IMO, a shame as they sell great bikes.

Perhaps I just caught them on a bad day both times.

> Are the yellow arm stripes a little bit of a dig at Rapha perhaps?

Not at all. It's keeping some of the brand identity the 'men in black' have already but updating it for a new title sponsor. Things change, teams change, people move on, it's just the way of the world. I know there is still lot of love between Condor and Rapha.

velobetty wrote:

> Are the yellow arm stripes a little bit of a dig at Rapha perhaps?

Not at all. It's keeping some of the brand identity the 'men in black' have already but updating it for a new title sponsor. Things change, teams change, people move on, it's just the way of the world. I know there is still lot of love between Condor and Rapha.

They were kind of the full-on 'boutique brand' outfit, weren't they? Being paid to ride Condor/Campag and wear Rapha is pretty darn cool. Only to be surpassed, perhaps, by a team riding Parlees and wearing Assoss!