“Hey weight weenies, I got another one for you! Actually, this is for everyone who’s into lightweight XC gear: The Manitou R7 Elite 100mm (MSRP $450) is the perfect choice for those who are looking for an affordable, lightweight, XC performance suspension fork. The R7 Elite comes in both 100mm and 80mm travel configurations and has great features everyone will appreciate while ditching the unnecessary features that inflate weight and cost.
“For starters, this fork is very light - just a touch over 3 lbs. The R7 Elite includes post mounts for disc brakes (no V-brake mounts) and the post bosses where you mount your brake are already machined flat with no paint (very important for installing brakes properly). The controls are simple and well thought out and can be manipulated without removing a glove. The R7 also gives you independent compression and rebound controls.” (more…)
Earlier this week I announced a promotion in which I would use Twitter to send discount codes to people when I reached a certain number of followers. These codes were valid only for the first person to use the code to make a purchase. Orders were placed through a service called BroForm and fulfilled directly from our warehouse.
I’ve gotten some feedback from dealers who are concerned that since products purchased through this promotion ship directly from our warehouse to the customer, it undercuts dealers’ ability to sell Manitou (and Hayes and SUNringle’) products to their customers. My goal was to increase interest and demand for our products, but it was not my intent to do so at dealers’ expense. Consequently, with sincere apologies to our dealers and to my followers on Twitter, I will refrain from tweeting any more discount codes. Thank you to everyone who re-tweeted my posts and to all my new followers. I hope that the four people who did redeem the codes I sent out will bring their new forks, brakes, or wheels to their local bike shop for installation and service.
Lest I over-correct and cast aspersions on the good folks at BroForm, I should note that BroForm is a great tool for supporting shop employees, bike industry bros, and our semi-sponsored riders.
I will definitely run more promotions in the future - I’ll just be more careful of their implications. If you have any suggestions, please make them in the comments field below.
Denny, a great idea; and with the number of codes you provided the future of the US Bicycle industry was hardly at stake, though I can understand why a LBS may see it as unfair competition. The 50 % offer is likely to lead to an unplanned / substitution sale rather than take the $ from the bike shops out there.
For your records, I was going to buy SID WC / XX or a Durin SL. This offer would have tipped that choice towards a manitou.
If it makes you feel better - I was one of the 4 winners - but as I’m based in the UK I wouldn’t have been able to order anything anyway…so that’s 3 sales max
I think it was a great marketing idea and am excited to see what you next idea will be. Thanks for being respectful towards others in the industry…wish I’d been one of the lucky 4…or shall I say 3.
I was one of your followers waiting for the chance to use a bro code. While I do partially understand dealers’ concerns, manufacturers should have some freedom in creating new brand evangelists via small factory direct promotions. It’s a shame that dealers feel threatened by such a small promotion when they should be looking at the bigger picture. That you as the MFG are potentially helping local dealers sell product by putting the product in the hands of the public at a factory direct discount. Given the chance to use a code, it certainly would have been an unplanned purchase for me. Now instead of making a sale at discount, neither Manitou nor a local LBS will be making a sale. I would have been more than happy to spread the word to all my cycling buddies after having used the product. I’m on the board of a local non-profit cycling advocacy group as well as a league certified instructor. I would encourage you to put an estimated $ value on the code sales, halve that and then give away some free product in that amount by randomly choosing from your followers on Twitter.
I’ve got something for all you devoted Twitterati out there. Sometime this week, I’m going to tweet a code for the Hayes Bicycle Group’s BroForm store. This code will enable you to purchase not only Manitou forks, but also Hayes brakes and SUNringle’ wheels at 50% of MSRP.
But there’s a catch; the code only works once. So, the first person to register the code at www.BroForm.com/hbg will get the deal. If I feel generous, I may tweet a second code later in the week.
Click here if you’re not already following Manitou on Twitter.
Syd Patricio at www.singletracks.com just posted a glowing review of the 2009 Minute Elite. Here are a couple excerpts.
“I’ve been spending some time lately checking out what Manitou has to offer in the all mountain/ XC categories of forks. The biggest thing I have to say about the Manitou Minute Elite TPC (MSRP $650.00), is WOW - what an awesome fork right out of the box! No mods are necessary for this one, just a few pumps on the high pressure shock pump to get the correct sag and this fork was hauling up slopes, ripping the trail apart, and soaking up 6 foot drops like they were curb hops.
“The Manitou Minute Elite is one of those forks that, once you spend the time setting it up correctly, you’d be hard pressed to find another fork that performs as well in the same category. I was very impressed with the fork’s performance, particularly its ability to take both large hits (up to 6 foot drops) and rock gardens. I don’t think I’ve ever ridden a fork that inspired as much confidence as this one has, especially in the 140mm class. The fork always felt smooth, tracked extremely well, and kept me in control. Under braking and climbing the fork maintained wheel contact and never felt like it was blowing through its travel.”
Denny, a great idea; and with the number of codes you provided the future of the US Bicycle industry was hardly at stake, though I can understand why a LBS may see it as unfair competition. The 50 % offer is likely to lead to an unplanned / substitution sale rather than take the $ from the bike shops out there.
For your records, I was going to buy SID WC / XX or a Durin SL. This offer would have tipped that choice towards a manitou.
If it makes you feel better - I was one of the 4 winners - but as I’m based in the UK I wouldn’t have been able to order anything anyway…so that’s 3 sales max
10/10 for effort - keep the ideas coming.
Thanks for the response, Crell. I’m sorry you weren’t able to make use of the code. I failed to consider that BroForm is North America-only.
Whatever you decide to buy, ride it well and have fun!
I think it was a great marketing idea and am excited to see what you next idea will be. Thanks for being respectful towards others in the industry…wish I’d been one of the lucky 4…or shall I say 3.
I was one of your followers waiting for the chance to use a bro code. While I do partially understand dealers’ concerns, manufacturers should have some freedom in creating new brand evangelists via small factory direct promotions. It’s a shame that dealers feel threatened by such a small promotion when they should be looking at the bigger picture. That you as the MFG are potentially helping local dealers sell product by putting the product in the hands of the public at a factory direct discount. Given the chance to use a code, it certainly would have been an unplanned purchase for me. Now instead of making a sale at discount, neither Manitou nor a local LBS will be making a sale. I would have been more than happy to spread the word to all my cycling buddies after having used the product. I’m on the board of a local non-profit cycling advocacy group as well as a league certified instructor. I would encourage you to put an estimated $ value on the code sales, halve that and then give away some free product in that amount by randomly choosing from your followers on Twitter.