Shark tank 5/4/12 custom bicycles?

omnibus · 05-04-2012, 11:03 PM

Anybody else think the sharks got suckered on this one?

Those "custom" bikes looked to me like spray painted junk yard bikes with minimum customization, maybe chromed handlebars and home made seat covers. Take a bunch of rusty old bikes and paint each a single color then just swap the parts.

$600 my foot. Maybe if they were BMX style bikes. I could be wrong but I think I'm right.

TheMerk · 05-05-2012, 12:49 AM

Not a scam. Custom cruisers are all the rage some places, and people are willing to pay big money for a bike that's completely original.

They don't look like recycled junk yard bikes to me: http://www.villycustoms.com/

GoHalos · 05-05-2012, 01:31 AM

I didn't pick up at all that these were used bike parts. Was something said on the show that I missed? I thought that these were custom new bikes, which I don't think are that overpriced for a custom bike.

tiams · 05-05-2012, 08:18 AM

I was very interested in the product from the guy who invented rollerblades. I don't think he has figured out the right application for it yet.

I like that the illusion boots came to the woman in a dream!

tiams · 05-05-2012, 08:19 AM

Oh yeah, and the air mattress for your truck - just buy a regular air mattress!

wendiness1 · 05-05-2012, 11:18 AM

While I wouldn't pay that much for a bike, I think they're cool-looking and I'm sure there are plenty of folks who'll buy them.

As for the truck mattress . . . why? Who wants to climb into the back of their truck to sleep? If I'm doing anything remotely like that, there'll be a tent involved. At the very least, I'd put a mattress on the ground so I could access it easily not have to climb into the back of the truck and sleep out under the stars. I think this has an extremely limited market. And I'm pretty sure there are already air mattresses that have built in devices to blow them up.

ElJay · 05-05-2012, 07:56 PM

I'm really amazed how much money people put into colossally bad ideas like AirBedz...

I dunno why the Sharks were having such a hard time with ideas coming in a dream. Flying to Turkey on a whim (for business) seemed a bit weird, but at least it spared us from the Sharks whining about something costing too much because it was made in the USA.

inaka · 05-05-2012, 10:51 PM

When I had a truck in high school, I had a foam mattress I could put in the back, and with a camper shell, it was a nice place to sleep or "hang out"

If I still had a truck I'd buy one.

inaka · 05-05-2012, 10:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoHalos

I didn't pick up at all that these were used bike parts. Was something said on the show that I missed? I thought that these were custom new bikes, which I don't think are that overpriced for a custom bike.

Wait, those bikes are USED parts?
I didn't hear that at all during the show.

omnibus · 05-06-2012, 12:17 AM

After further inspection of the http://villycustoms.com website here's a breakdown of the deal.
Prices range from $604 to $1000 +, price difference depends almost exclusively on degree and quantity of colors and the use or non-use of swarovski crystals for decoration.

Frame is steel, no other option available.

Single speed, 3 speed available for around $100 extra.

Coaster brake on rear wheel only.

Shipping is a flat $68 via fedex.

No refunds, strict shipping damage rules.

What a great deal!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

GoHalos · 05-06-2012, 01:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by inaka

Wait, those bikes are USED parts?
I didn't hear that at all during the show.

No, I don't think so, but the OP seemed to think so, so I was asking if maybe I missed something.

inaka · 05-06-2012, 01:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoHalos

No, I don't think so, but the OP seemed to think so, so I was asking if maybe I missed something.

Ah ok, I missed that thinking they were announced as used parts.

GoHalos · 05-06-2012, 01:16 AM

Now that I re-read the OP, maybe he's saying that you could get a similar look with used parts. I don't know - it didn't seem real clear to me.

jdfs · 05-06-2012, 07:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by omnibus

After further inspection of the http://villycustoms.com website here's a breakdown of the deal.
Prices range from $604 to $1000 +, price difference depends almost exclusively on degree and quantity of colors and the use or non-use of swarovski crystals for decoration.

Frame is steel, no other option available.

Single speed, 3 speed available for around $100 extra.

Coaster brake on rear wheel only.

Shipping is a flat $68 via fedex.

No refunds, strict shipping damage rules.

What a great deal!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And they all are the same style. No mountain bikes or anything.

LordKronos · 05-06-2012, 05:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wendiness1

As for the truck mattress . . . why? Who wants to climb into the back of their truck to sleep? If I'm doing anything remotely like that, there'll be a tent involved. At the very least, I'd put a mattress on the ground so I could access it easily not have to climb into the back of the truck and sleep out under the stars. I think this has an extremely limited market. And I'm pretty sure there are already air mattresses that have built in devices to blow them up.

I can definitely see a use for it. Setting up and tearing down camp can take a while. I'd be happy to have a setup like that to be out doing photography. For photography, time is very limited for taking good photos. The last thing I'd want to be doing if I were out alone would be wasting that time packing up camp. Admittedly, that's not a large market, but it's at least one use.

crxrocks · 05-06-2012, 09:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LordKronos

I can definitely see a use for it. Setting up and tearing down camp can take a while. I'd be happy to have a setup like that to be out doing photography. For photography, time is very limited for taking good photos. The last thing I'd want to be doing if I were out alone would be wasting that time packing up camp. Admittedly, that's not a large market, but it's at least one use.

It's also great for hiking. If we are going to go on a really long hike, we'll sometimes sleep at the trailhead the night before.

DanB · 05-06-2012, 09:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LordKronos

I can definitely see a use for it. Setting up and tearing down camp can take a while. I'd be happy to have a setup like that to be out doing photography. For photography, time is very limited for taking good photos. The last thing I'd want to be doing if I were out alone would be wasting that time packing up camp. Admittedly, that's not a large market, but it's at least one use.

something like these?

http://www.coleman.com/products/10079

Jebberwocky! · 05-07-2012, 07:16 AM

I just learned my Son is coming back home from AZ and bringing my (well his, soon to be mine again) Ford Ranger - and I think the airbed is a great idea. I have to look for a tent that fits the bed, that would be a killer combo.

For those of you who do not see the need for a truck bed, you must no do much camping/backpacking or fishing trips.

tiams · 05-07-2012, 07:37 AM

But why can't you just use a regular air mattress? There are plenty of those already on the market.

Hank · 05-07-2012, 07:38 AM

I was just going to say if he packaged a really nice looking and functional tent to mount on top of the truck bed, that would be a great combo.

Hank · 05-07-2012, 07:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tiams

But why can't you just use a regular air mattress? There are plenty of those already on the market.

The value added on this one was that it fits perfectly in the truck bed, including making space for the wheel wells, so it's edge-to-edge mattress without gaps around the edges. It's a good idea that makes sense... it's just that the market is really, really small.

tiams · 05-07-2012, 07:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hank

The value added on this one was that it fits perfectly in the truck bed, including making space for the wheel wells, so it's edge-to-edge mattress without gaps around the edges. It's a good idea that makes sense... it's just that the market is really, really small.

But you can't sleep on top of the wheel well, so it's not really any more sleeping area.

Jebberwocky! · 05-07-2012, 07:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tiams

But you can't sleep on top of the wheel well, so it's not really any more sleeping area.

who says you can't? The tight fit around the bed is a benefit. The one drawback (per my wife

) is that if you put a bunch of stuff with you you'll have to take it out of the bed to inflate the mattress.

tiams · 05-07-2012, 08:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jebberwocky!

who says you can't? The tight fit around the bed is a benefit. The one drawback (per my wife

) is that if you put a bunch of stuff with you you'll have to take it out of the bed to inflate the mattress.

Because there is a big, uncomfortable, hard, uneven, hump underneath you.

Jebberwocky! · 05-07-2012, 08:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tiams

Because there is a big, uncomfortable, hard, uneven, hump underneath you.

so says you - are you positive that there is no padding whatsoever by the wheel wells?

Besides, who would sleep next the to side of the bed?

Frylock · 05-07-2012, 08:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jdfs

And they all are the same style. No mountain bikes or anything.

I figured that was due to their size. They are focusing on a niche market to start, and to meet demand, they need to limit things somewhat.

I was surprised at how many bikes a year Barbara buys!

Hank · 05-07-2012, 08:58 AM

the thing that I see about the custom mattress versus a generic is that with a generic, you'll have big gaps around all the edges, where things can roll off and fall into the gap. Even if the wheel wells are unpadded, it's still a custom, 100% "fitted" mattress, so it won't move around and stuff won't get trapped in the gaps. Like I said, it is a sound idea, just no way to make A LOT of money at it.

omnibus · 05-07-2012, 09:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frylock

I figured that was due to their size. They are focusing on a niche market to start, and to meet demand, they need to limit things somewhat.

I was surprised at how many bikes a year Barbara buys!

Is "niche market" the same as the market where people care more about bright flashy colors than considerations of weight, adequate braking and reasonable prices?

pmyers · 05-07-2012, 10:11 AM

For those "Boot Illusions" I would have MUCH better preferred to take FUBU's offer with a licensing fee and free myself up to do whatever else I wanted than Barbara's offer and have to be so involved.

Of course they could have negotiated that royalty fee but she was so enamored with Barbara.

DancnDude · 05-07-2012, 10:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pmyers

For those "Boot Illusions" I would have MUCH better preferred to take FUBU's offer with a licensing fee and free myself up to do whatever else I wanted than Barbara's offer and have to be so involved.

Of course they could have negotiated that royalty fee but she was so enamored with Barbara.

And by the looks of it, the husband was really irritated with the wife just taking the deal without discussing it.

My fiancee happened to be in the room while I was watching and she said this was a really good idea and she thinks it will be a big hit.