Re: [CR]Now: Brooks Swallow Was: Columbus decals

(Example: Framebuilders:Bernard Carré)

Date: Wed, 17 Nov 2004 04:28:29 -0800 (PST)
From: Jerome & Elizabeth Moos <jerrymoos@sbcglobal.net>
Subject: Re: [CR]Now: Brooks Swallow Was: Columbus decals
To: chuckschmidt@earthlink.net, classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
In-Reply-To: <419ACADE.4880F2A@earthlink.net>


Well, at $400 a pop, Brooks/Selle Royal aren't doing this just as a PR gesture. I guess that's about equivalent to Campy reissuing world logo hoods at $100 a pair. Obviously Selle Royal believes in the collector market, even if Campy doesn't. In fact, Selle Royal's purchase of Brooks seems to be based on their belief that the collector/ connoisseur/ niche market is real and large enough to support an operation the size of Brooks. They've already raised prices significantly on existing models, at least in the US. While we don't like paying the higher prices, they are probably still lower than what a Brooks saddle would command on eBay if Brooks went under completely and permanently. Selle Royal seem to understand that the collector market in NOS leather saddles sets the price they can charge for their product. So they maintain or improve quality, but raise the price. I must say I prefer to see that happen as opposed to someone slapping a once proud name on cheap cycling goods made in China. Seeing the Brooks name on a $10 plastic saddle on a Wal-Mart bike, now that would have been sad. Hopefully Selle Royal's business model will succeed and we'll never have to see the Brooks name degraded like so many others have been.

Regards,

Jerry "Stiil waitng on two British Racing Green B17 Champion Specials I ordered in July" Moos Houston, TX

Chuck Schmidt <chuckschmidt@earthlink.net> wrote: EdVintage63@aol.com wrote:
> (cut)
> Ed "Wouldn't it be cool if Brooks repro'd the old Swallow" Granger
> Lancaster, PA

Here ya go Ed... don't say I never did anything for ya ;) http://www.wallbike.com/content/newswallow/newswallow.html

More of a reissue than a reproduction in my opinion.

Chuck Schmidt South Pasadena, Southern California

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