I worked at a Trek dealer in 2005 before I started HC. Back then they had the Pilot series of comfort-road bikes. These were a more upright geometry with clearance for 700x28 (gasp). The trick to selling them was to de-emphasize the "comfort" part of the category. In many cyclists' minds, "comfort" = a geeky 50-lb Pee Wee Herman ballooner.
On Monday, April 22, 2013 10:55:49 AM UTC-5, ccanter wrote: > > Similarly. Stumbled upon this at the Trek site a while back. Seems they > have a new fit system. > H2 Fit > > "H2 features a slightly higher head tube to put less strain on your back > and neck. It's the right way to get most riders, including many of our Pro > Team riders, in the right place. With no need for high-rise stems or spacer > stacks, the look is nothing but pro." > > > On Fri, Apr 19, 2013 at 5:15 PM, Jim Thill - Hiawatha Cyclery < > thil...@gmail.com <javascript:>> wrote: > >> In the recent thread about SunTour's comeback, this quote was presented: >> >> "Junzo feels the time is right to re-enter the bicycle component >> business. As he puts it “the market is too race-centric; carbon fiber, >> electric shifting, full suspension, 11 speed, doesn’t really enhance the >> enjoyment of cycling. In the 1970’s and 80’s we cycled to be closer to >> nature, for the environment, for our health, for the simple beauty of >> cycling.” For these reasons SunXCD will focus on touring and randonneuring >> components which were the focus of SunTour during its heyday." >> >> Of course, most of us Riv fans will note that this echoes Grant's >> published opinions over the years, as well as the sales pitches of a few >> brands who've tried, with varying success, to get into the Riv-ish segment >> of the market. I "discovered" Riv almost 10 years ago because I wanted a >> certain type of bike that didn't seem to exist at local shops. What I >> wanted was a touring bike, and the Atlantis I bought filled that desire. >> Had I been able to find a Trek 520 locally, or if the LHT existed back >> then, my story may have taken some different turns. But it was certainly >> true back then that any readily available higher quality bike was going to >> be some kind of impractical skinny tire road bike. Not my style. >> >> But things have changed drastically. Sure, many of us are baffled by >> electronic shifting and seemingly delicate CF and 11-sp cassettes that have >> become available. But at the same time, a HUGE variety of touring and >> "adventure" bikes, parts, and accessories have become not only available, >> but mainstream. So while I wish Junzo and SunTour success, I thought his >> rationale seemed hollow, or at least 5-10 years too late. >> >> -- >> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups >> "RBW Owners Bunch" group. >> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an >> email to rbw-owners-bun...@googlegroups.com <javascript:>. >> To post to this group, send email to >> rbw-owne...@googlegroups.com<javascript:> >> . >> Visit this group at >> http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en-US. >> For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out. >> >> >> > > -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en-US. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.
