Re: [CR] Tubing Decals, Marketing, Useful

(Example: History)

In-Reply-To: <4D237CB7.5080804@m-gineering.nl>
References: <249DDD9704676C49AE6169AE3D2D9F4E023926A1@Exchange-SVR>
Date: Tue, 4 Jan 2011 11:33:39 -0800
From: "Jim Merz" <jameshmerz@gmail.com>
To: M-gineering <info@m-gineering.nl>
Cc: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
Subject: Re: [CR] Tubing Decals, Marketing, Useful


Back in the days when steel tubing was used on almost all bike frames it made little sense to create a unique tubing label. The way that the tubing sticker gives any marketing value is if the tubing maker has some branding history. In the early days of Specialized frames (on topic here), we had our own tubing decals. Partly to allow flexibility of tubing suppliers. I don't think these stickers helped sell bikes at all. It takes a lot of time and money to advertise what the tubing sticker means. 531, Columbus, and Tange had a long history of making great tubing, plus at least some advertising.

I could go on about the way big bike companies needed these tubing stickers as a way to add perceived value, but it seems no one cares about this angle here.

Jim Merz Big Sur CA

On Tue, Jan 4, 2011 at 12:01 PM, M-gineering <info@m-gineering.nl> wrote:
> On 1/4/2011 6:09 PM, John Hurley wrote:
>
>
>> So, again ideally, tubing decals serve a useful function, not only in
>> telling what kind of tubing was used, but also as an indication of pride
>> of workmanship, that the builder took a little extra time and money to
>> buy and use a superior tubeset, and to apply the decals.
>>
>>
> Stuck his brain in neutral and used what came out of the box ;)
>
> > A Reynolds decal is a bit of
>
>> functional artwork that adds beauty and interest to a frame.
>>
>
> Have you looked at the latest offerings, they clash with any paintjob ;)
>
>
> but perhaps a builder could create his
>
>> own decals that say "Seamless Tubing Hand Selected by (Builder)".
>>
>>
> Vincent Dominguez has the right idea:
> http://www.m-gineering.nl/element26.jpg
>
> No mention of seamless though, which isn't the quality sign it used to be
>
>
>
> --
> mvg
>
> Marten Gerritsen
> Kiel Windeweer
> Netherlands