Re: [CR]confente the unknown

(Example: Events:Cirque du Cyclisme:2004)

From: "ternst" <ternst1@cox.net>
To: Michael Schmidt <mdschmidt56@verizon.net>, Matteo Brandi <bees.bfg@tin.it>, <veronaman@gmail.com>, <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>, Jan Heine <heine94@earthlink.net>
References: <C580CEC1.C610%mdschmidt56@verizon.net> <a0623098dc581528caf64@[192.168.1.33]>
Subject: Re: [CR]confente the unknown
Date: Wed, 31 Dec 2008 17:25:48 -0800
reply-type=response


      In addition to Jan's comments on Cinelli, it's a similar reason Campagnolo never made frames to compete even tho he had probably thousands of Q's accordingly. He made components and running gear, Cinelli made bars and stems and de udda guys made frames. Very clever marketing and business. Everybody made money and the pie wasn't cut into too many slices. Unlike today's sheer unadultered greed .Couldn't resist a little zinger for the year's end. Don't want you to think I'm mellowing. Ted Ernst Palos Verdes Estates CA USA


----- Original Message -----
From: Jan Heine
To: Michael Schmidt


<bees.bfg@tin.it>; <veronaman@gmail.com>; <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org> Sent: Wednesday, December 31, 2008 8:53 AM Subject: Re: [CR]confente the unknown


> At 7:24 AM -0500 12/31/08, Michael Schmidt wrote:
>>At L'Eroica's show and swap in 2006, one vendor was selling an intact 1968
>>Masi Special (58CM) for 800 Euro negotiable. A few tire kickers but the
>>bike did not sell. Jamie Swan and I briefly thought about buying it,
>>shipping it home and flipping the bike here but decided against it.
>>
>>I saw only a few riders on Masi. Lots of Bianchis though.
>
> During the bike boom, Masi and Confente lived in California, so of course,
> their bikes were not well-known in Italy. You'd have to import one from
> California, if you wanted one!
>
> Also, if Masi had a flourishing business, he would not have accepted the
> proposition to come to California. Thus, it does not surprise that
> pre-California Masis are somewhat obscure in Italy.
>
> Cinellis are a different matter - Cino was in Italy, yet his bikes are
> more popular in Germany, Britain and the U.S. than in his country. The
> going hypothesis is that Cinelli did not want to upset his sales of
> handlebars and stems to other makers, so he did not compete aggressively
> for the Italian market, and focused on exports instead.
>
> National preferences for brands are a funny thing. When 1950s American
> cars were popular for a while in Germany in the late 1980s, everybody
> wanted Chevrolets, and Cadillacs were less desirable.
>
> For those familiar with Italy, what are the most popular classic racing
> bike brands in Italy? In France, it's Colnago...
>
> Jan Heine
> Editor
> Bicycle Quarterly
> 140 Lakeside Ave #C
> Seattle WA 98122
> http://www.vintagebicyclepress.com