Re: [CR]Bike Nashbar catalogue - old and new

(Example: Framebuilders:Alberto Masi)

Date: Sat, 02 Apr 2005 18:53:59 -0600
From: "John Thompson" <JohnThompson@new.rr.com>
Organization: The Crimson Permanent Assurance
To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
Subject: Re: [CR]Bike Nashbar catalogue - old and new
References: <C807AAE0-A3CE-11D9-AFF3-000A95DCF800@earthlink.net>
In-Reply-To:


Bianca Pratorius wrote:
> I just received the latest issue of Nashbar's catalogue, and just
> flashed back to the ones I received back in 1981 when it was just a
> humble newsprint, two color catalogue. How does Nashbar today, sell
> you a $200 styrofoam helmet alongside a $29 one? Well Nashbar has
> figured out just how to do it. You sell them both with copy which
> doesn't discriminate nor provide any value judgments whatsoever. The $29
> helmet "will get you out and rolling to the front of the pack", but the
> $200 catalogue "gulps air to keep your cool as you lead the pack". (all
> quotes canote the spirit of the catalogue without actually referring to
> any particular piece of copy). The old newsprint catalogue used to
> direct you to the best buy, or the best of its type, relying on
> informative copy to let you know how to install, service, or utilize any
> particular product. I used to look forward to every issue, as it taught
> as well as tantalized. If I recall Cycology did the same, and you felt
> as if you were in good hands as you carefully chose each component on
> your steed.

I remember back when they were still "Bike Warehouse" and they offered all kinds of little things: Campy spare parts, Proteus frame building kits, a diversity of manufacturers' products -- Campy, Zeus, Shimano, SunTour, Stronglight, etc. And maybe half a page of clothing. Now it seems two-thirds of the catalog is clothing (yawn), and there are none of the funky little bits and pieces I used to like to pore over...

--

-John Thompson (john@os2.dhs.org)
Appleton WI USA