Seems that we have digressed from blaming CAMPI for the lack of new hoods for our antique rides(I am sure my bikes will long outlast my knees) To blaming or supporting CAMPAGNOLOs marketing decisions to lambasting MTBs. #1 any bike that a person rides is a great bike(as opposed to those bikes that sit in the garage and collect dust) #2 many of you rode BMX bikes when you were young and I remember the hue and cry about how they ruined the lightweight market (I think you learned to appreciate alloy rims and well made frames instead) #3 local bike shops and their suppliers are just trying to make a living( even CAMPI must show a profit to justify its continued existence) they sell what people want or at least hope they want.since there are CR members older than I out there and some of you might have been in the business when the FIRST boom occurred in the early 60's you know how cyclical(no pun) the business really is(75% of our gross was last qtr..........for years we lived from CHRISTMAS to CHRISTMAS and fixed mowers and locks to keep the doors open) Having a bike with CAMPI stuff in the window allowed us to sell those $69 and $79 dollar bikes that kept us going, to sell a $99 BIANCHI GRAN SPORT or $89 MERCIER was big stuff while I remember selling just 2 BIANCHI COMPETIZONEs ($149) and the same number of SPECIALISSIMAs at $179 (bought by my brother and cousin) and a single TEAM ISSUE (bought by me $199) I also owned a SPENCE WOLF CINELLI that came from his shop in CUPERTINO (a shop that had actually been the GARAGE of his house at one time)$197 #4 to lug or to fillet...........I remember seeing the GITANE that was ridden to the podium at the TDF in the 70s........as an industrial a bike as you will ever see......the lugs had been filed only so someone would not cut themselves on the sharp edges.............but it did the job. #5..to those builders on the CR list, my hat is off to you, and hopefully you will Be able to collect HERSE kinds of dollars for you labors(I know they are all laughing at that).......and to the fellow who left those file marks on the lugs of my old CINELLI...........hopefully you went on to something special.
If everybody had just bought a HERSE we wouldnt be looking in every old FRENCH BARN trying to find one now.
BOB FREITAS
retail bikeman 1961-1972
wholesale rep 1972-1980
MILL VALLEY, CA