O
Ozark Bicycle
Guest
bfd wrote:
> <a Saluki is a bicycle fashion statement.>
>
> If you think the Saluki is a "fashion statement," what do you call the
> Glorius/Wilbury with their mixte frames, 650B (584mm) wheels and
> centerpull brakes?
>
> http://www.rivbike.com/html/bikes_mixte.html
>
How about "a silly bike designed to appeal to existing Rivendell
customers as a second or third Riv; one that will sell in small numbers
(<~200)" ?
> As for "demand," I think there are several thousand riders who tend to
> follow Grant P./Rivendell. With the internet this is usually enough to
> make a statement. In general, I like some of the things Grant/Riv
> preach - higher stems, hand built wheels, and steel frames (although I
> ride a Calfee carbon).
>
> I certainly don't always agree with everything he pushes - centerpull
> brakes, friction bar-end shifters, but hey, if 650B gets people riding,
> then so be it!
>
Agreed, Riv has provided some interesting alternatives to mass-produced
two-wheel sameness. But the Saluki and the mixte twins are, IMO, kinda
silly.
> Don't forget, in France there's a "society" of riders who value 650B
> wheels. Now, let's be clear, this "society" has maybe a few thousand
> members. Hardly a majority. Still, factor in the rest of Europe, Japan
> and the several hundred riders in the US and you should realistically
> have about 3,000 to 6,000 650B users in the world. Of course, there's
> probably more tri-riders in San Diego using 650C (571mm) wheels.
>
> The key is with QBP involvement, 650B has a chance to succeed. Only
> time will tell...
Let's say Riv sells 400 Salukis and mixte twins total. And let's be
really optimistic and say 800-1000 Bleriots are sold. How long is that
user base going to insure that the 650B tires and rims continue to be
readily available in the US? Five years?
> <a Saluki is a bicycle fashion statement.>
>
> If you think the Saluki is a "fashion statement," what do you call the
> Glorius/Wilbury with their mixte frames, 650B (584mm) wheels and
> centerpull brakes?
>
> http://www.rivbike.com/html/bikes_mixte.html
>
How about "a silly bike designed to appeal to existing Rivendell
customers as a second or third Riv; one that will sell in small numbers
(<~200)" ?
> As for "demand," I think there are several thousand riders who tend to
> follow Grant P./Rivendell. With the internet this is usually enough to
> make a statement. In general, I like some of the things Grant/Riv
> preach - higher stems, hand built wheels, and steel frames (although I
> ride a Calfee carbon).
>
> I certainly don't always agree with everything he pushes - centerpull
> brakes, friction bar-end shifters, but hey, if 650B gets people riding,
> then so be it!
>
Agreed, Riv has provided some interesting alternatives to mass-produced
two-wheel sameness. But the Saluki and the mixte twins are, IMO, kinda
silly.
> Don't forget, in France there's a "society" of riders who value 650B
> wheels. Now, let's be clear, this "society" has maybe a few thousand
> members. Hardly a majority. Still, factor in the rest of Europe, Japan
> and the several hundred riders in the US and you should realistically
> have about 3,000 to 6,000 650B users in the world. Of course, there's
> probably more tri-riders in San Diego using 650C (571mm) wheels.
>
> The key is with QBP involvement, 650B has a chance to succeed. Only
> time will tell...
Let's say Riv sells 400 Salukis and mixte twins total. And let's be
really optimistic and say 800-1000 Bleriots are sold. How long is that
user base going to insure that the 650B tires and rims continue to be
readily available in the US? Five years?
