Does this mean we're to lose those lovely-looking GT triple-triangle frames before I get round to buying one?

Who knows, but if you want a rough idea, compare the current Mongoose range with what it was before Pacific took them over. Basically, waaaayyyy down market, but why not keep the visual signature? It's one of the assets that they're stripping.

But do they know that? And it'd still have to be light for me to buy one, even if it did look like a GT.

I'm reminded of my local bike shop, which was sold, including goodwill, to a chain for a vast sum of money.

The chain then promptly wasted the goodwill by not stocking basics like decent rims, wheels and pumps; not selling or offering to get hold of any road or touring bikes except Trek Armstrong lookalikes; and employing staff who knew bugger-all about anything except hi-tech offroad bikes.

Needless to say, i now buys things from the original owner, who has set up shop three miles away.

Trek have their HQ in Wisconsin don't they. They seem to do OK.

As long as they're not moving to Calderdale, it's fine by me.

I figure it can't really be as bad as all that though. A lot of money was spent on very little actual production capability. Sure there is the name, but names can be ruined overnight by bad products. They will continue to make high end bikes (albeit fewer of them) but focus more on lower end ones. The best UK example is probably Saracen. Brant meanwhile need not fear even if they moved next door - they'll never be competition for On-One will they?

the blokes on the singapore forum www.togoparts.com swear by GT. they cant get enough of them. it would be interesting to find out if their is any other competition out there. although one look at ww.herocycles.com will probably anser that question.

I want a Hero Royal, I do

What has the site of the headquarters got to do with the quality of the bike?

Much more worrying will be a change in company ethos.

No idea. Mentioned in the story on the front page. Puzzled.

It is the price range being up to $500 that indicates the quality of the bikes, not where they're made.

Also abandoning numerically strong positions in the market for higher-priced bikes indicates that, at least in Pacific's view, that market is now a loss-maker.

Reply to (product tester) above, The togoparts.com boys love GT because a bunch of bike shops over there get a load of GT frames (genuine) grey import from Taiwan. Howsabout a 2001 Easton framed Zaskar Race frame for £130 new? Sorted. That said they don't half write some bollocks in their forum though. And that name - why?

'Also abandoning numerically strong positions in the market for higher-priced bikes indicates that, at least in Pacific's view, that market is now a loss-maker.'

Not a loss maker, but not a major profit maker either. Remember Pacific have paid millions for these two brands, and they want a return on that money as soon as possible. They figure that low cost high volume is a better route than high cost low volume so they are moving that way.

But I must point out again that the press release says they will be focusing on sub $500 bikes - not that they will only produce them. I'm sure a few higher end models will continue to exist, mostly to boost the company image.

but what price a world class DH race team on bikes theyre not trying to sell?....
Has Peaty got a new ride yet?

I think you may be right Simon. Mongoose still produce good titanium bikes and Steve Larsen still wins races on them in the US.

Even if they don't make a profit on the Zaskar, how do they know how many people buy Aggressors etc only because they see cool riders out on Zaskars? I hope they see it like that anyway!