Flying Pigeon Vancouver

Apparently Flying Pigeons have arrived in Vancouver, and to announce their arrival the importer has made this rather artsy film:The Flying Pigeon Bicycle from yulu canada on Vimeo. 

It shows young, attractive, and presumably hip individuals out and about on Flying Pigeon roadsters. I have to say that I find this somewhat amusing and ironic. In China, the young, attractive and presumably hip crowd would not be caught dead on a bicycle, let alone a Flying Pigeon. Maybe they should reconsider.

Adding to the lifestyle statement, the bikes are being offered through a rather chic clothing boutique Roden Grey. 

You can also get them directly from the importer. And, in what is perhaps a bicycle first outside of Italy or France...you can get them with a wine caddy.

Yes...the one time communist icon, and tool of the proletariat, is being peddled (and pedaled!) as a bourgeoisie toy. Times have changed.

The marketer in me wonders whether this lifestyle approach will be successful. Nonetheless, I wish them luck. 

Comments

[Larry "Boneman" Bone]

Eeesh.... "Marketing" people.... ;-) Interesting film though as you mention... will it sell bicycles? Hard to say.

And the irony is fun to ponder also. You do find the most interesting stuff!!!!

[Kapok Kid]

Chairman Mao would not be amused!

[Ken S.]

I traded emails with one of the folks at Flying-Pigeon bikes in Canada, trying to find out what the gear-ratio is for the bikes they're bringing in. They said they didn't know ... which was disappointing, but oh well.

I'm debating which would make the most sense - and curious what you think: I travel to Guangzhou 2-3 times/year for work, and have thought about buying a bike (probably a Wu-Yang) to bring back to states with me.

Although I imagine this would be a pain in the butt (train to HK, taxis, bringing bike back (in box?) to states as checked baggage, etc.) - it might be cheaper than dropping US$400 on a Flying Pigeon I get in Vancouver, BC (I live in Seattle). What do you think?

And one more question - Whatever bike I get, I think I'd want to put an internally geared hub (Shimano Nexus?) on it - better for the hills in Seattle. Thoughts on this?

Adios

Ken S.
(currently in GZ, contemplating a bike purchase....)

[Frederico Bragança]

Hello. My name is Frederico and I just custom re-build a vintage Pheonix double top tube frame. I would like to know if you could help me with some parts I am still missing. My contact is fredericobraganca@sapo.pt. Thanks

[biking Philippines]

Thanks for sharing the video, I do love bikes. and I can relate with the that.

Alvin

[garage equipment]

This video makes me miss my bicycle. This was stolen a week ago and I don't have a chance to bring it back.

[Matt]

Thanks for sharing this great video.

Matt

[David Brownridge]

NO DOUBT, the irony is wicked... Young people here in Lanzhou, NW China, see me on my old Forever and they double-take, sniggering. Mostly laborers, tradesman, poor people ride the old ones; young people all have the modern mountain bikes, which cost an arm, leg, and next child born. Lots of wealth even here near the frontier.

[David Brownridge]

Good video, I like the understatement, and they look a little bit proletariat, and the cinematography is kinda neat. It's all pretty cool, save maybe the 'romance' angle, which seems a must in today's marketing: 'get this and get the girl'. Brutal. Hard to view here though with China's non-'streaming' internet.