Bowman Cycles goes into liquidation

[familyguy]

CT article:
https://cyclingtips.com/2022/01/bowman- ... shortages/

Maybe they can reboot at some stage with luck.

[Mr Purple]

I have a Palace 3, it’s an excellent bike but the frameset did take six months to arrive.

They look very gone - website is down and everything. Hopefully the derailleur hanger is a standard option, I was always on the verge of ordering some spares but never got around to it!

[blizzard]

I have a Palace 3, it’s an excellent bike but the frameset did take six months to arrive.

They look very gone - website is down and everything. Hopefully the derailleur hanger is a standard option, I was always on the verge of ordering some spares but never got around to it!

There are quite a few reports of cracked seat stays on the 3c. Hopefully, you don't have any issues with them.

[Mr Purple]

I have a Palace 3, it’s an excellent bike but the frameset did take six months to arrive.

They look very gone - website is down and everything. Hopefully the derailleur hanger is a standard option, I was always on the verge of ordering some spares but never got around to it!

There are quite a few reports of cracked seat stays on the 3c. Hopefully, you don't have any issues with them.

I've seen this. It seems to happen within the first few months if it's going to, and I'm 5000km+ in so I'm reasonably confident. Plus I'm also 61kg which gives the frame an easy life.

Not just that either, these are the sort of pictures I've seen:





Having said that the frame is the easiest part of the bike to replace these days anyway. So I might just go with a Chapter 2 Huru or something else if I do break it, and migrate the parts over. Would be annoying though.

The frame was something like $1000 landed - so it probably proves the adage 'light, cheap, reliable, pick any two'.

[MichaelB]

I have a Palace 3, it’s an excellent bike but the frameset did take six months to arrive.

They look very gone - website is down and everything. Hopefully the derailleur hanger is a standard option, I was always on the verge of ordering some spares but never got around to it!

There are quite a few reports of cracked seat stays on the 3c. Hopefully, you don't have any issues with them.

I've seen this. It seems to happen within the first few months if it's going to, and I'm 5000km+ in so I'm reasonably confident. Plus I'm also 61kg which gives the frame an easy life.

Not just that either, these are the sort of pictures I've seen:





Having said that the frame is the easiest part of the bike to replace these days anyway. So I might just go with a Chapter 2 Huru or something else if I do break it, and migrate the parts over. Would be annoying though.

The frame was something like $1000 landed - so it probably proves the adage 'light, cheap, reliable, pick any two'.

Posted elsewhere in another thread, but also relevant here ...

Now, as much as I can't stand Hambini and his often ranting & childish manner, this video (whilst it still has some of that) shows some potentially serious doodoo for the Bowman frames .....



For all those that have one (Mr Purple), may be worth having a close look at the frame

[Mr Purple]

I know, I saw that yesterday.

While the outside of the welds on mine looks much better the internal inspection freaked me out!

Half considering ordering a new frameset - there’s some older colour Chapter 2 Teres floating around as NOS which are currently very tempting.

[MichaelB]

I know, I saw that yesterday.

While the outside of the welds on mine looks much better the internal inspection freaked me out!

Half considering ordering a new frameset - there’s some older colour Chapter 2 Teres floating around as NOS which are currently very tempting.

It wouldn't take much to take it partially apart and have a good look.

There can sometimes be bargains - saw a Burnt Orange Factor O2 Disc for $1600, but think it was too big for you (56cm).

Can be some bargains, but getting rare atm.

[engine19]

Guys, just to geather some information .... everywhere I searched and checked the Bowman Palace cracked frames, I saw 2-3 (max... and also on Hambini's site). Is it truly that bad? If I search for "Cracked Trek Emonda" (or cannondale, or whatever frame) I can saw MUCH MORE.

Ofc the one who had a cracked frame posted absolutely everywhere he can. Ofc Hambini reviewed a broken frame, which was maybe a bad batch, unqualified welder (not all is done by the same small taiwanees guy or something else). And sure, it is might not the best frame, but it is truly that bad? Only posted images are proving if there is a broken frame and ofc they are disappointed and angry (I can understand that). But I also read that some has 5-10k km in these frames without any problem.

I just asking, because I have one and should I affraid? What about the owners who bought a Bowman frame and has no problems with it?

Is the base of the anger is the delayed shipping, not very nice welds, not superb paint job ... ? Because I can live with it ... how many frame you know, which broke in like .... 5-10-15km km? There is a yellow one palace 3c, a dark one palace 3c and a disc palace 3 (posted online) ... I can not see more. And this amount is not prooving (at least for me), that this is a !! BAN ME NOW FOR SWEARING !!. To be honest I like the paint job, I have no problem with the quality (how they look like) of the welds and I don't care if there is a minor missalignment in some of the botthe holder holes ... I truly dont care ... I also have a Cinelli (!!!) frame where the rear brake bridge is poorly aligned and the rear wheel looks a bit "off" from alignment, but it is just visuals ... also another frame, where the front forks were a bit off (expensive, good quality frames). I also had many Ragley frames, where I got it with dented headtube, ovalized headtube, or On-one frame with smaller headtube where installing the headset was almost impossible. And my Colnago A1R CX has a really poor paint job, you can scratch it only by looking at it from a distance So I had problems with many other UK branded frames and also Italian (Cinelli, Colnago), Bulgarian (Riot) BUT I was able to use them.

So is here anyone, who had TRUE! problems (other than visuals) with the frame assuming it was possible to assemble and start to use use it (because you were able to install the BB, headset, the wheel had enough clearence, etc). Mine was already assembled and used before without any problem ... will it brake? I would say it depends on a shitload of things ... but will it? I bought it for 250 EUR (used) and I found these threads just after I payed for it. I am a bit worried ... but tbh I am not convinced it is a !! BAN ME NOW FOR SWEARING !! (because of 2-3 broken one).

[AUbicycles]

Hambini is perhaps entertainment - but I struggle to see any more value. It is pretty easy for 'youtubers' to focus ion what gives them views.

But to the point - for frame construction and assembly, a brand tends to buy in services and they can get a good line or a bad line. Sometimes problems are fundamental - so certain brands have a reputation for generally poor quality. Sometimes it can be a batch problem as well.

Welding is a good sign - clean weld & consistent welds = skill. You can still get contamination in these and there tends to be a big list of various issues where 95% is good but that 5% is a real problem.

My recommendation is
1 - do a very close visual inspection, look for hairline fractures or anything that could be of concern.
2 - if you are uncertain, then seek a professional to check it. It is not easy to find someone and they tend to be either an expertise 'this person knows bikes through and through' or a specialist.

Generally it makes sense to regularly inspect your bikes, but also something many of us avoid. When everything looks good, then settle on an inspection at regular intervals.

[trailgumby]

Hambini's samples are skewed. Frames etc tend to land on his youtube channel mainly when there's a problem. Like the rest of the media, bad news captures more eyeballs, so that dynamic is in play as well.

He's kind of like my bike fitter in that regard. He only sees people who have a problem who have exhausted all other options, including other less expert bike fitters. It doesn't mean everyone needs to go see a bike fitter any more than appearing on Hambini's youtube show means every sample of a particular brand needs a Hambini bottom bracket to avoid repeatedly killing bearings, nor does it mean every frame needs to be x-rayed to be NDT'd to be considered safe to ride.

Cannondale is a case in point. He roasts them, but I have had seven of their bikes and all have been great. I still follow him because I find the technical bits about fitting tolerances and aerodynamics interesting.

AUBicycle's advice covers the bases on how to manage your risk. Follow those recommendations and you should be able to sleep comfortably.

[Mr Purple]

Guys, just to geather some information .... everywhere I searched and checked the Bowman Palace cracked frames, I saw 2-3 (max... and also on Hambini's site). Is it truly that bad? If I search for "Cracked Trek Emonda" (or cannondale, or whatever frame) I can saw MUCH MORE.

Ofc the one who had a cracked frame posted absolutely everywhere he can. Ofc Hambini reviewed a broken frame, which was maybe a bad batch, unqualified welder (not all is done by the same small taiwanees guy or something else). And sure, it is might not the best frame, but it is truly that bad? Only posted images are proving if there is a broken frame and ofc they are disappointed and angry (I can understand that). But I also read that some has 5-10k km in these frames without any problem.

I just asking, because I have one and should I affraid? What about the owners who bought a Bowman frame and has no problems with it?

There are issues with the Bowman frames but my interpretation of it is that it is a 'quality control' rather than a general design or manufacturing issue.

Think of it in terms of them being a small company slowly going under from factors unrelated to frameset design (I still think they're relatively well designed). They start looking to save money here and there - outsource to cheaper factories, and maybe don't have the resources to be on the cutting edge of quality control. So a few dodgy ones sneak through. Hambini only gets sent the dodgy ones, so the one he has is possibly the worst of the lot, and even though it looks bloody awful it doesn't mean they're all like that.

With that in mind the Bowman I bought new now has 8000km on it. And the only issue is that the diameter of the area where the derailleur clamps is not quite exact, so we had to use a small spacer. No cracks, perfectly welded from what I can see and no issues at all with alignment or otherwise.

My theory is it'll either show itself to be a dud within the first 1000km or hold together perfectly. So if you've got a few k's on it and it's looking fine I'd try not to stress too much. I'm fairly sure I'll want to build a faster bike before mine has any issues. Having said that I'm only 61kg and therefore not the biggest risk to a frameset.

[Mr Purple]

And just like that - mine’s now wall art. Cracked chainstay.

It almost made 9000km. I take back anything good I ever said about Bowman.

[warthog1]

Bugger!
I have cracked a chainstay on an aluminium frame also. It did do trainer work though.

[MichaelB]

And just like that - mine’s now wall art. Cracked chainstay.

It almost made 9000km. I take back anything good I ever said about Bowman.

Pics ?

Any potential to be repairable ?

[Mr Purple]

And just like that - mine’s now wall art. Cracked chainstay.

It almost made 9000km. I take back anything good I ever said about Bowman.

Pics ?

Any potential to be repairable ?

Nope. Especially considering the other side is also cracked.



For what it's worth I'm at least happy it didn't do something crazy at 70km/hr down Cootha. I was much happier finding out with a phone call from the LBS.

It would make good wall art, it is still very pretty!

[MichaelB]

That’s not a crack !!

Fark me !!

When the rear dropout cracked on my Kinesis, I noticed something a bit off when pedalling hard. At 1st couldn’t see anything so ride on.

Felt odd again so stopped and had another look. Yikes. Cracked through on the DS dropout so one side only had the seat stay holding the rear wheel in place. Luckily was close to home so rode carefully back home and took tram to work …

[Mr Purple]

Yep, it's pretty epic.

I noticed absolutely nothing wrong, and had been keeping an eye on that area because that's where they usually crack.

The bike was only in for a pad and cable replacement, well picked by the LBS. You might pay extra but they're literally next to my work and I'll happily keep servicing there.

9000km for an $1100 frameset probably isn't the best value for money. It was an excellent bike to ride though, it'll be interesting to see how the Focus compares.

[MichaelB]

Reckon you’ll love the Focus.

Mate has one with a 10sp SRAM Red Mechanical and loves it.


Just don’t get the matching AG2R shorts

[Mr Purple]

I'm a bit suspicious that within a few kilometres I'll be wondering why I just didn't buy an off the rack lightweight carbon frameset in the first place. The Bowman did look good though, and it took over 100 KOMs.

No danger of matching gear here. My fashion plan is 'whatever is on special when I need it'.

[Mr Purple]

Funny thing this morning. I dragged my 2008 era $1500 alloy/105 Avanti off the trainer, gave it a quick cleanup and went for a ride.

Spent the first half marvelling at how silent the rusty old thing was. I always had some sort of 'chatter' from the Bowman which I attributed to drivetrain, but now I wonder if it was the chainstays rattling.

That had hung around for about three months. Which is a worry. Also, why are cheap alloy 105 bikes so indestructible?

[Mr Purple]

And Bowman have relaunched with a new owner, but no actual bikes or frames to sell as yet.

Pretty brave move if you ask me. I think you'd be better off starting from scratch than rely on any residual 'goodwill' out of that one.

[MichaelB]

And Bowman have relaunched with a new owner, but no actual bikes or frames to sell as yet.

Pretty brave dumb to the max move if you ask me. I think you'd be better off starting from scratch than rely on any residual 'goodwill' out of that one.

Fixed it for you !

The only way they could achieve anything is to make the frames from a different material and then .....

Nah, even that's a dumb idea ....

[stevenaaus]

The Poms have a lot of goodwill for home-made products I think. If they can make a good bike again, good luck to the new owners.

[Tim]

The Poms have a lot of goodwill for home-made products I think.

They keep building and buying Triumph motorcycles. Renowned for leaking oil, dropping parts on the roadside from excessive vibration (if you're lucky enough to get one moving), poor reliability, appallingly bad electrics and brakes and overall low engineering standards.
How do I know? I rebuilt and rode a 1979, 750 Bonneville.
I heard a story about a faulty Triumph being stripped down in the workshop.
When they split the crankcase open there was a Spam tin lid floating around in the sump.

[Mr Purple]

The Poms have a lot of goodwill for home-made products I think. If they can make a good bike again, good luck to the new owners.

They were all made in Taiwan, though 'designed' in the UK.

Personally I think they're going to get so sick of current owners asking for derailleur hangers or complaining about broken framesets that they'll shut up shop again within a few months.