there are many more folk who are 'in to' cars and the related collectible markets than there are who are nursing along their 30 year old bicycles. to me, that's the given. i also can't see any mercedes owners all that concerned about the prices of things needed to keep their 'beloveds' correctly trimmed out. my experience in the bicycle business, as well as being a collector, leads me to observe that the few hundred, (at most), that seek to keep the old bikes alive are generally more frugal than not. before you all jump ugly on me, please be aware that i WISH it were different and i WISH vintage bicycle appreciating, restoring, and collecting were all more akin to other markets. but i see our group as too small to matter. i love it just the same. i love it despite the size. but it is not a market, and until it IS a market, it won't change. e-RICHIE chester, ct
On Wed, 19 Jun 2002 21:49:10 -0400 "Stephen Barner" <Steve@sburl.com>
writes:
> Mercedes Benz is running a full page ad in the latest issue of
> Special
> Interest Autos stating "Finding a classic is rare. Finding its
> parts
> shouldn't be." They go on to state that they will help customers
> "track
> down the genuine Mercedes-Benz classic part you need." They even
> provide a
> toll-free number. Now, helping locate a part and putting that part
> back
> into production are two different things, but obviously Benz is
> highlighting
> their reputation for quality and durability. They know that
> classic
> Mercedes owners are very effective marketers--they love their Benzs.
> And,
> Mercedes is definitely into the business of "selling new and
> innovative
> products."
>
> Sort of blows a hole in Campy's argument, don't you think?
>
> Steve, nursing the old gum, Barner
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Steve Neago" <questor@cinci.rr.com>
> To: <NortonMarg@aol.com>; <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
> Cc: <OROBOYZ@aol.com>
> Sent: Wednesday, June 19, 2002 9:14 PM
> Subject: [CR]Followup: Repro Campy Hoods - Light at the end of the
> tunnel?
>
>
> > The word from Campagnolo is not encouraging for replacement rubber
> parts.
> >
> > Richard Sterino (Campy USA Marketing Manager) told me that Campy
> logo
> hoods
> > and brake pads will not be re-manufactured for the USA market for
> several
> > reasons.
> >
> > 1.) Campy does not see enough long-term sales volume to even
> support
> a
> > limited run.
> >
> > 2.) Campy will never license its name to a third party
> company to
> > re-manufacture rubber components because:
> > a.) quality control issues
> > b.) legal liability for someone else's manufacturing
> mistakes
> > c.) logistics required to police the licensing agreement
> are
> > expensive
> >
> > 3.) Several third party companies make product replacement
> parts
> > (Coolstop & Dia-Comp) that meet the functional and safety needs
> >
> > 4.) He implied that Campy is in the business of selling new
> and
> > innovative products, not models discontinued for over 15 years.
> >
> > As a result, Richard suggested that a aftermarket manufacturer
> named
> > "Coolstop" makes the best replacement hoods and brake pads in
> multiple
> > colors that are fully compatible with Campy NR/SR equipment. He
> could not
> > provide recommended model names/numbers. He also mentioned that
> inquantity,
> > the would probably be able to make custom runs of rubber
> products.
> > Coolstop sells directly to bike stores and not to the public.
> >
> > Does anyone have their address/telephone numbers
> >
> > Hey Dale! how about CR custom brake hoods from Coolstop for the
> next
> > Cirque!
> >
> > Regards, Steve Neago
> > Cincinnati, OH
> >
> >
> >
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: <NortonMarg@aol.com>
> > To: <questor@cinci.rr.com>
> > Sent: Tuesday, May 07, 2002 3:58 PM
> > Subject: Re: [CR]Repro Campy Hoods - Light at the end of the
> tunnel?
> >
> >
> > > Hi Steve,
> > > Bless you! I was contemplating something similar and haven't had
> the
> time
> > or
> > > energy for it. Did you mention brake blocks to them?
> > > Best regards,
> > > Stevan Thomas