Re: [CR]Viner bicycles

(Example: Racing:Roger de Vlaeminck)

From: "Steven Willis" <smwillis@verizon.net>
To: <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>, "Robert Kaufmann" <kaufmann@crsa.bu.edu>
References: <v04011700bcf759b638ac@[128.197.83.55]>
Subject: Re: [CR]Viner bicycles
Date: Thu, 17 Jun 2004 16:14:33 -0700


I am surprised at the workmen ship answer. What I heard happened is mountain bikes came in and the importer Gus Betat went out of business. with out an importer you have no bikes. Someone tried a few years later but instead of being a great price point bike it was the same price as the big boys with out the name that pulls you in. I was the second or third largest seller of Viner for a number of years. Great bike with a great group of guys at Gus Betat selling them. We even got some sponsorship from them because we were about 60% Viners on the team. I miss my Viner but the painter dipped my frame and the dip rusted it out from the inside. Very sad I think I will go have a beer now. Steven Willis 1778 East Second Street Scotch Plains NJ 07076 908-322-3330 http://www.thebikestand.com


----- Original Message -----
From: Robert Kaufmann
To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
Sent: Thursday, June 17, 2004 7:28 AM
Subject: Re: [CR]Viner bicycles



> Joss Winn:
>
> I have a 1989 Viner--It was a the subject a previous discussion A midlife
> crisis for a classic frame (sorry to hear that it is not truly a classic).
>
> In any case, I love the frame. I purchased the top line frame in 1989
> ($750 new) and set it up will all Campy NR. It rides like a dream. I
> ride it about 3000-4000 miles each year.
>
> I purchased it from a shop in Philadelphia (Cycles By Kyle). When I
> brought it back to them this year to fix a cracked rear drop out, they
> helped me (a flawless replacement, a very nice paint job, new decals), but
> informed me that they no longer sell Viners. They claimed that the
> workmanship fell off dramatically in the early 1990's.
>
> So, enjoy the 1989 frame.
>
> Robert Kaufmann
> Newton, MA