tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24415034.post115809764165185780..comments2024-03-18T10:19:55.782-04:00Comments on The Velo ORANGE Blog: Letting Off SteamVelo Orangehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02835615331417822722noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24415034.post-1158444583197380762006-09-16T18:09:00.000-04:002006-09-16T18:09:00.000-04:00Neil I actually misstated that. I just last month...Neil I actually misstated that. I just last month built up a city bike with a Nexus 8-speed hub. I must concede that it works very well. (The sickeningly cool setup would involve a Rohloff, but that's about 7x as costly.) Anyhow, I guess I've sold out. Partially. ;-)Dadhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09016373487910801383noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24415034.post-1158273545133306662006-09-14T18:39:00.000-04:002006-09-14T18:39:00.000-04:00David,I've probably ridden even longer and I have ...David,<BR/>I've probably ridden even longer and I have never had Shimano parts either. I know it's foolishness, but I have even gone so far as to remove perfectly functioning DA components and replace them with clumsier Italian parts. I think it's because when I was a kid, one would only use Japanese parts if they couldn't afford "real" European components. I suspect it's my loss.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24415034.post-1158272632912318502006-09-14T18:23:00.000-04:002006-09-14T18:23:00.000-04:00Shimano's a pretty interesting company. I have be...Shimano's a pretty interesting company. I have been cycling for a loooooooong time and have never owned a bike with one single Shimano thing on it. But think their new DA stuff is amazing. I had a chance to ride on a new race bike and the drivetrain was as precise as a Rolex. Plus, I think the new DA gear would look spectacular on a modern-style randonneur, especially the cranks. It's a bit Buck Rogers-ish in a cool way.Dadhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09016373487910801383noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24415034.post-1158264568931451532006-09-14T16:09:00.000-04:002006-09-14T16:09:00.000-04:00Of course, it didn't hurt that Shimano made good p...Of course, it didn't hurt that Shimano made good parts at good prices. I like Campagnolo and do build-up with their parts, but their availability in the Americas leaves a lot to be desired. In some ways, they act no better than those defunct French parts makers.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24415034.post-1158253064893499392006-09-14T12:57:00.000-04:002006-09-14T12:57:00.000-04:00This is a big part of why Shimano grew from an ind...This is a big part of why Shimano grew from an industry laughing stock to having a market share that Microsoft would envy; companies with products that guys like us loved, like TA, Simplex, Huret, Zeus, etc., etc., couldn't be bothered. They were small European, family-run businesses that treated with contempt any customers who didn't come from within a ten-kilometer radius. Shimano acts like a business--a ruthless one, at that--and darn near drove even Campagnolo out of the bueiness of equipping new bikes.Kris Hicks-Greenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12764499328719930749noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24415034.post-1158197958493198462006-09-13T21:39:00.000-04:002006-09-13T21:39:00.000-04:00Chris, Sorry and after around a dozen years in the...Chris, Sorry and after around a dozen years in the biz I can say i feel your pain. My current job isn't easier, just less frustrating. Keep the faith, you are one of the good ones. I placed an order last Friday afternoon and received it the following Tuesday. Thats fast service even considerihg the weekend. Maybe service such as yours will begin to make a small dent in the rest of the industry. Cheers and Thanks, Scott HenryAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24415034.post-1158185236651096942006-09-13T18:07:00.000-04:002006-09-13T18:07:00.000-04:00Oh yeah, hands down the hardest of part of being a...Oh yeah, hands down the hardest of part of being a product manager is dealing with vendors. I know we've dumped vendors because they were unable to fill orders when needed. <BR/><BR/>Building your own is a crazy idea. Anyone who suggests this clearly knows little about the bike business. The absolute best framebuilders in this country all earn VERY modest livings. Being a framebuilder is a lot like being a chef - no money and you should have your head checked for even thinking about going into the profession. <BR/><BR/>On the upside, you offer products nobody else offers at reasonable prices. Can't wait for my Ostrich bag.Chttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10767743759129493752noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24415034.post-1158184655761674532006-09-13T17:57:00.000-04:002006-09-13T17:57:00.000-04:00From what I can tell from doing a couple catalogs ...From what I can tell from doing a couple catalogs for waterloo's finest, I can honestly say your frustration seems to be echoed by brand managers at all levels, even the very top.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24415034.post-1158157809729910022006-09-13T10:30:00.000-04:002006-09-13T10:30:00.000-04:00Maybe it is time for you to get a torch and toolin...Maybe it is time for you to get a torch and tooling and "roll your own" can't be that hard.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24415034.post-1158117449443092512006-09-12T23:17:00.000-04:002006-09-12T23:17:00.000-04:00Chris, It's just plain bad business. I'm sorry you...Chris, It's just plain bad business. I'm sorry you're getting the runaround from these guys. As much as I would like a custom this or specially-ordered that; perhaps you should stop doing business with these suppliers. They're not going to change their ways if late deliveries and poor service don't stop you from ordering. If they lose you as a customer, maybe they'll get it together and do what it takes to get your business back. To me, V.O. is about service and attention to detail and attention to it's customers. Do business with those who share the same vision.<BR/><BR/>Or, if you really just needed to let off steam... damn, that sucks. What a pain. Hang in there. We got your back.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24415034.post-1158115594206648662006-09-12T22:46:00.000-04:002006-09-12T22:46:00.000-04:00I suspect that is a low-wage business across the b...I suspect that is a low-wage business across the board that with the exception of owner-builders who see their names going out on the product really don't have a lot invested in the process. No pride begets un-professionalism, sad to say. In a small-lot sale, there probably isn't much competition for your timely payments, and little fear of loss to a rival or deserved disrepute. Who could blame a small-lot buyer for going abroad for supplies?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24415034.post-1158114251100764872006-09-12T22:24:00.000-04:002006-09-12T22:24:00.000-04:00Keep the faith Chris. You're stuff is worth waiti...Keep the faith Chris. You're stuff is worth waiting for. I do agree the bike business is a stange industry. I ordered a bike part from my local REI store, gave them all the details, part number, name, description, ..... They just couldn't get it right. I finally accepted a substitute just to get on with life. Best regards, AlanAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24415034.post-1158100538882758612006-09-12T18:35:00.000-04:002006-09-12T18:35:00.000-04:00Welcome to the bike business!! I remember a guy wh...Welcome to the bike business!! I remember a guy who worked for a parts distributor talking about ordering frames from a well known Italian builder. He ordered a batch in red and a batch in blue. When the crate arrived the bikes were all one color. He called and asked "What gives?" and the response from the Italians was "It was the end of the day and changing out the paint guns takes a lot of time. Red...blue...what does it matter??" They just didn't get it.Chttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10767743759129493752noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24415034.post-1158099381653238462006-09-12T18:16:00.000-04:002006-09-12T18:16:00.000-04:00I'm sorry for your frustration. Maybe you were a ...I'm sorry for your frustration. Maybe you were a bigger fish in a smaller pond in the wooden boat trade? Of course that still is no justification for anyone, anyone, not honoring their word.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com