I have a theory...... Richard Sachs mentioned that his customer base is getting slightly younger, this supports my idea: Aluminum bikes twenty years ago were few, far between, exotic and high end==Vitus, Alan, Klein, a few older experiments Aluminum bikes today are the common coin, they hang from hooks in Fred Meyers and Wal-Mart, are made in China, and weigh more than a Schwinn Varsity especially those with the 1/4" travel rear suspension. In bike stores, they are entry level and are also Chinese 35 lb. boat anchors. Steel isn't seen anymore in bike stores --until over $1000 bikes! Aluminum still has a little of a high-end "aura," but it will be tainted by the cheap, heavy bikes made out of it. Consumers at the high end are figuring that bargain titanium isn't that great in some areas. Bike companies that either have a history, reputation, and the equipment to build ti frames well will continue to do so (Litespeed,) likewise those who can make aluminum at a higher quality level or carbon fiber (the Trek Empire.) Companies that currently offer high end bikes for "credibility" may find that as the market shrinks and bike companies consolidate they can't maintain that part of their line--and that dealers may increasingly find that customers keep asking "what's the difference between your AL at $1500 and Brand X's at $850 with the same parts? I think this is especially true for Italian and other boutique aluminum frame sellers competing against Cannondale. A $2K al frame without a replaceable derailleur tab; talk about selling hype and mystique! We could have the conditions to keep some small artisan STEEL framebuilders in business as these frames suddenly look like bargains; more people are likely to start comparing Richie's $2K lifetime frame against Brand X's aluminum throwaway at the same price.
I better go fix more bikes!
David Feldman
> Wow did I get a few responses to that post. If you have not noticed I
write
> things that get people excited. This is good this list gets boring when
all
> we do is talk about what color label was on a 1960 such and such rim.
Sorry
> if I offended. Brian Bayless asked me to take on a project of building
my
> own bike. Using modern lugs and tubes no special equipment. I can do
this,
> it won't be of his quality or other frame builders on the list. It will
be
> built by me and my file and torch by hand and yes, it will teach me a few
> things. I can't start this until I move into a new house that is being
built
> and will be ready by Feb. You all can pester me and I will bring it to
our
> get together next year. AGAIN, I just wish there were 40 more specialty
> frame builders and someone like me could have gotten into the industry and
> made a living at it. Nothing wrong with what you do but I don't feel the
> need to clean your shoes for you. There are other skilled trades that
take
> the same skill that pay better. I was talking about the decline of the
bike
> industry as a cottage industry more than how easy it is to build a bike.
> Sam DiBartolomeo
>
>
> _______________________________________________
>
_________________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Get your free @yahoo.com address at http://mail.yahoo.com