Re: [Classicrendezvous] Brooks !

(Example: Framebuilders:Alex Singer)

Date: Wed, 4 Oct 2000 15:17:16 -0700 (PDT)
From: "Mark Chandler" <velo@value.net>
To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
Subject: Re: [Classicrendezvous] Brooks !
In-Reply-To: <39DB9D94.6E6E355@penn.com>


On Wed, 4 Oct 2000, Jerry Moos wrote:
> I too am guessing that Brooks sales were making a modest comeback, at least in the
> US. And I think the proper marketing approach by a new owner could tap a
> significant niche market for continued Brooks sales, namely the upscale middle age
> or thirty-something buyer or those who fancy themselves upscale. The use of natural
> materials, be it leather upholsterly and walnut accents in that Lexus, Mercedes or
> Lincoln or the leather jackets and 100% wool sweaters from the L.L. Bean catalog
> (have to plead guilty personally on that last one) have a strong appeal in the
> upscale market and beyond. The 22 year old Cat 1 racer probably won't ever buy
> Brooks because of weight, but a lot of $4000 race bikes are bought by people with
> good incomes but no serious racing aspirations and those guys might be conviced to
> buy Brooks based on superior quality in every aspect except weight. Leather seats
> probably add to the weight of a Ferrari, too, but you can bet the buyers demand
> them.

I'm a former weight-weenie who (stupidly) sold a Brooks Pro many years ago. I came to my senses this past year, and wrote a brief piece about Brooks when I learned of the company's troubles. It's at: http://value.net/~velo/brooks.html

--mc

--
Mark Chandler Concord, CA velo@value.net
http://value.net/~velo
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