Anybody Heard of George Bamford?

[Philster]

Apparantly he started out as a watch customizer (I didn't know that was a thing). Now he's making bikes. His website and press exposure is full of BS about how unusual it is to be able to pick your own geometry and colour. Who is this guy?

[Matthew Strongin]

I didn't know he got into bikes. Do you have a link?

His Bamford Watch Department is pretty well known in those circles. They heavily customize watches, mostly Rolex. Think about a traditional Rolex Submariner dive watch done in matte black with neon orange dial indicators. I think it's a pretty good way to kill the look and value of a classic watch, but if that's your thing it's all good.

[Nierman]

Another Budnitz?

[Philster]

Link-

BAMFORD CYCLE DEPARTMENT : if you can imagine it – we can create it

[christian]

So just to be clear, I get George Bamford to custom paint a China bike, I get to put some fancy script on the downtube of my choosing (immediate thoughts spring to "Ritte" or "Chicken butt"), and then hang Record EPS on it. And pay like um $7000 for the privilege. The world is a crazy place.

This makes that Merckx bike look pretty sensible.

[Philster]

So just to be clear, I get George Bamford to custom paint a China bike, I get to put some fancy script on the downtube of my choosing (immediate thoughts spring to "Ritte" or "Chicken butt"), and then hang Record EPS on it. And pay like um $7000 for the privilege. The world is a crazy place.

This makes that Merckx bike look pretty sensible.

7,000 pounds sterling.

[christian]

Yes, but I'd obviously take out my bike mortgage in Swiss Francs.

[Mabouya]

Yes, but I'd obviously take out my bike mortgage in Swiss Francs.

Bad move, as some Poles are finding out: http://nyti.ms/1wCfZB9

[christian]

Haha, yeah, that was the joke!

[rowdyhillrambler]

Airbrushing turds

[j44ke]

He's evidently very popular in England among those who have money but need someone to tell them what to spend it on. They seem to have very small worlds and are unaware that there are things going on "outside". He's smart to take their money. We are not the market.

[Philster]

I guess there are worse ways to spend your zlotys and forints.

[Diablo de Acero]

I tried to click on his news clippings and non of them opened up to a press link or site. Hmm... The whole thing looks more like a mock up for a web designer.

[JonSnow]

So just to be clear, I get George Bamford to custom paint a China bike, I get to put some fancy script on the downtube of my choosing (immediate thoughts spring to "Ritte" or "Chicken butt"), and then hang Record EPS on it. And pay like um $7000 for the privilege. The world is a crazy place.

This makes that Merckx bike look pretty sensible.

How is this any different from Trek, Specialized, Giant, or practically any other bike manufacturer you can walk into a shop and buy? They are all made in China, waaaaay overpriced plastic. At least with Ritte, November, and others like this using frames produced by large overseas firms (this is the first I've seen of Bamford) you get a fancy paint job as you said, and don't match every doofus in a TFR jersey at the local shop ride.

[christian]

How is this any different from Trek, Specialized, Giant, or practically any other bike manufacturer you can walk into a shop and buy?

I think the comparison to Ritte is apt, but those first three firms you listed actually do their own R&D.

[Mr B]

Who is this guy?

To partly answer this question;
He's the son of this guy.

'The BCD Custom Bike' sounds like the usual snake oil.

[nahtnoj]

I'm picturing Euro-trashy guys in v-neck t-shirts, lots of gold, aspire to own a Lamborghini. How far off am I?

[Mr B]

A little off - the bad dress-sense is present, but not quite as you describe.

[Mike Mcdermid]

I speak with one of the members of BCD occasionally both phenomenally talented in the watch industry

[Mike Mcdermid]

I'm picturing Euro-trashy guys in v-neck t-shirts, lots of gold, aspire to own a Lamborghini. How far off am I?

lets say the voyager probes are still a lot closer than you are with this one