There's an awful lot of hearsay being thrown around in this thread. Let
me offer something other than secondhand rumor:
First of all, Darren Bedford *is* the man. He's awesome, and does a
great job with his one-man operation. Outside of his main business, he
has breathed new life into the NAUCC conventions. But it's too bad he
doesn't have a Web site where you can look up and order his products. I
think a lot of people end up doing their product research at UDC before
giving Darren a call. I think he's been selling unicycles since around
when the Semcycles came out, which is 21 years ago.
Roger Davies is also the man. I know less about UDC UK, but I do know
Roger, and his deep involvement with the sport, and product
development. One of my one-wheeled treasures is a handmade carbon fiber
Roger Davies MUni. And a couple of carbon seat bases as well. Roger
shares his Web technology with UDC US/International, making it easier
for both of them to maintain their large, comprehensive online stores.
But what of UDC US? Well, they're a family business, and they sell to
the wider unicycling public. That is, lots and lots of first-time and
entry-level unicyclists. These unicycles, which are their primary
source of income, are bought by parents mostly; having the concerns
parents typically do. Hence the greater attention to safety gear and
other kid-oriented things.
But they are not just an entry-level or kids shop. In many years, they
are the ones who pioneered the "unicycle business" as it is today. In
other words, products designed to price points, and spec'ed together to
meet the needs of riders. No, they weren't the first to sell custom
unicycles, but they may have been the first to make custom unicycles
"standardized" products you could order without having to piece them
together.
Also they were the first to bring nearly all unicycle brands together
under one virtual roof. Do you know how hard it used to be to get your
hands on good unicycles and parts? Impossible, if you didn't know they
existed. We used to have to track them down ourselves.
Lastly, John Drummond is not an expert or champion rider. He's also
married, with three kids and a mortgage. Darren and Roger may have
mortgages too, but you know what I mean. John's priorities have to be
different, and I believe they are in the right order for him and the
Drummond family. He is a hero to lots of unicycling dads out there.
From above we learn what we always should have known; all three vendors
are capable of making shipping mistakes. More importantly, all three
are good about correcting them, and good customer service. Like and buy
from whoever you want. But please try to be accurate when dissing the
other guys.
vicuniclub said:Also, darren spends more then 45 min, putting together the uni, making
sure the spoke tension is right. lubing everything that needs lube,
pretty much he makes everything perfect and makes sure everything is
perfect. unlike unicycle.com who just ship it out as it comes in.
Sorry, not true. Tommy Miller used to warn about the same things in the
early days of UDC. And the Drummonds learned. Sometimes the box from
overseas has parts missing, ill-built wheels, or other issues. They do
check. Lots of the higher-end stuff that goes out the door is assembled
from parts in Marietta, and is not what came in "the box."
Quoted message said:Darren also has been selling uni's for 25 or so years. he knows what he
is talking about! again unicycle.com (In the U.S) does not...
They both know what they're talking about. More in certain areas and
less in others. I think the two businesses compliment each other
extremely well, and it's nice to know they don't treat each other as
competitors. We should take a lesson from this and do the same.
--
johnfoss
John Foss
"jfoss" at "unicycling.com" -- www.unicycling.com
-----------------------------------------------
"Ppl are being killed out there from gang on gang vilence... and all my
bad spelling mistakes... " -- Dumpweed, on keeping things in
perspective
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