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CD ROM Paradise Collection 4 1995 Nov.iso
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1994-03-06
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#! rnews 6103
Path: netnews.upenn.edu!rutgers!utcsri!cannon.ecf!lorence
From: lorence@ecf.toronto.edu (LORENCEZ-GONZALEZ Carlos Martin)
Newsgroups: rec.bicycles.misc,rec.bicycles.marketplace
Subject: Re: Rumour ** Bridgestone gone belly up.
Message-ID: <CM961p.4G@ecf.toronto.edu>
Date: 6 Mar 94 17:03:25 GMT
References: <1994Mar4.223602.16619@PacBell.COM>
Sender: news@ecf.toronto.edu (News Administrator)
Distribution: inet
Organization: University of Toronto, Engineering Computing Facility
Lines: 103
Xref: netnews.upenn.edu rec.bicycles.misc:14123 rec.bicycles.marketplace:12346
In article <1994Mar4.223602.16619@PacBell.COM>,
Larry E. Stanfel <lestan1@srv.PacBell.COM> wrote:
>>>
>>>Once again ... it was not Bridgestone's unique approach to spec'ing their
>>>bikes ... Bridgestone has held a steady share of the market for the last
>>>6 years ... the reason why they are pulling out is because the yen-to-dollar
>>>exhange rate is currently such that Bridgestone's prices do not allow
>>>them to maintain a decent profit margin, yet still be competitive with
>>>bikes made in taiwan or the US (remember, all of Bridgestone's upperend bikes
>>>are made in Japan ... most other companies have their entire lines made
>>>in Taiwan, or their upper end bikes made in the US). please read the
>>>following missive from Bridgestone before blaming their pullout on their
>>>esoteric approach.
>>>[stuff deleted]
>>
>>I agree that the unfavourable currency exchange rate makes it difficultt
>>for any company to make a decent profit right now. But is it possible that
>>Bridgestone's failure to sell so many of their made-in-Japan 93 bikes had
>>something to do with their poor performance as well? (Call their
>>availability line and see for yourself just how many of last year's bikes
>>are still sitting in their warehouses.) And is it also possible that
>>the poor sales had anything to do with their "retro" approach to spec'ing
>>bikes? (Go down to your local bike shop and ask the sales people just
>>how many customers are asking for thumbshifters, bar-end shifters and
>>moustache handlebars.) And finally, is it any coincidence that almost
>>all the 94 bikes come with STI shifters, and many of the MBs with shock
>>forks? Did Bridgestone suddenly have a change of heart and decide that
>>these gadgets, which they had disdained for so long, were really good
>>for cycling? Or were they finally forced to play catch up with the
>>competition?
>>
>>You draw your own conclusions. But to me, it's clear that Bridgestone's's
>>maverick approach to bike design finally caught up with them.
>>Sure the exchange rate hurt. But the real culprit is Shimano, who almost
>>single-handedly has redefined the modern bicycle, and is now in the position
>>where it can literally dictate what people should and will ride.
>>Against such a behemoth, a little guy like Bridgestone, or anyone else
>>for that matter, really doesn't have a chance. The real losers, though,
>>are us, the cycling consumers. But that's just my opinion..
>>
>>
>
>When I was in the market for a racing MTB last year, I looked at both
>Bridgestone and Specialized (among others). I considered Bridgestone largely
>because of the constant fawning of all the rec.bikes folks,
>but was *completely* underwhelmed by what I saw. Bridgestone offered a grossly overpriced
>product line. If there is a single reason they failed, it's because
>they priced themselves out of the market without offering any
>quality advantages. For example, the 93 MB2 retailed for around 1200 to 1300
>dollars. For that, you got a Japanese made steel frame, rigid fork, and
>"eclectic component mix" (for whatever that's worth). The 93 Specialized
>Stumpjumper FS, priced *under* 1000, also had a Japanese Tange Prestige frame,
>XT/LX components, AND an adjustable air/oil shock. Why would anyone pay 200 more
>dollars for a lot less bicycle????
<stuff deleted>
This response is a good example of why Bridgestones didn't sell well in
the mass market: your typical consumer simply doesn't understand the
finer points about bicycles and their components. The MB-2 is worth
the $200 extra dollars because:
* it has a better riding, lighter frame made of
Ritchey Logic Prestige (not just plain Prestige)
* the fork is light (way lighter than any sus fork)
yet supple (moreso than even the Logic fork),
requires no maintenance (unlike all sus forks),
and will last way longer; plus, (and this is
important) it will allow the rider to develop
the technique and skills all off-road riders
should have.
* PLUS--and you really have to be able to appreciate
the finer things in life to get this--the Ritchey-
designed fork crown is BEAUTIFUL!i
* the advantage of mixing parts is that you get
the very best component, regardless of who
happens to make it, instead of the mediocre part
because it "belongs to the group".
* on the MB-2, this means you get the cold forged
Specialized crank instead of the cast (or melt forged)
LX or XT crank; the cold forged and lighter Dia-compe
987 brake calipers instead of the heavier LX brakes;
the strong and durable DX hubset instead of the cheap
and poorly made LX set (the local MTB shop cursed
these hubs because they couldn't adjust the play
out of the bearings--ie, low tolerances, poor quality,
rapid wear); XT thumbshifters and cold forged Ritchey
brake levers instead of (and here I'm guessing)
XT Rapidfire with the heavy and non-replaceable
STI levers; pro competition proven Ritchey stem
and handlebar; GREAT wheels: the DX hubs joined to
Vantage Comp rims by Wheelsmith spokes, shod with
Z-Max tires.
Anyhow, in my opinion, there is no comparison: the MB-2 is a better bike
AND a better deal. You get light, strong, race proven equipment, and a
great-riding and beautiful frame, all at a very reasonable price.
But again, you have to know something to be able to appreciate this.
Unfortunately, most people don't. And THAT'S why Bridgestone is goingg
under.x
>
Tony Chang
>
>
#! rnews 1257
Path: netnews.upenn.edu!msuinfo!uwm.edu!vixen.cso.uiuc.edu!sdd.hp.com!decwrl!nntp.crl.com!crl.crl.com!not-for-mail
From: cfry@crl.com (Cory M. Fry)
Newsgroups: rec.bicycles.misc
Subject: non bikers ideas of bike weight....survey sorta
Date: 6 Mar 1994 09:06:18 -0800
Organization: CRL Dialup Internet Access
Lines: 20
Message-ID: <2ld2ia$ns6@crl.crl.com>
NNTP-Posting-Host: crl.com
Well well well, just an amusing thoughtthat I figured I might
introduce as a new thread. How many people have ever heard the ole
story from non-bike folks that goes.... 'oh, i knew this guy with
a french made bike that weighed eleven pounds'. Then ya tell them,
nah, prolly not that light, and have to listen tothe bull, then hand them
an average weight bike, and they're shocked and say.... 'oh, this one
must weigh only 5 lbs' for a 23 lb bike
Well, kinda amusing at times, but other times it makes me
wanna..... oh, never mind :-)
Well, with that said, I think i'm gonna go out fer a ride, if anyone
sees a weird looking big guy pedaling near SF Bay on a DeRosa, its prolly
me..... or someoen with my looks, that took them without my permission.
I know i know....... Cory, shaddup
Jeez, someone take this kybd away from me :-)
Get on my wheel, and lets fly
Cory