Re: [CR]croce d'aune - OOPS !

<classicrendezvous@bikelist.org> Sent: Saturday, July 05, 2003 9:10 AM Subject: Re: [CR]croce d'aune

> Hi Tom ,
>
> I should not post this to the list , because I may have incorrectly
> remembered some things . But , on the other hand , maybe somebody can
> correct my mistakes . If I remember correctly . . .
>
> Croce d'Aune was an expensive ( and quite interesting ) engineering &
> marketing experiment . It was designed from the start to be an
> engineering & marketing experiment .
>
> It was designed to be limited production . They were disappointed when it
> turned out to be as EXTREMELY limited as it did .
>
> Compared to the merely ordinary "C-Record" , it was intended to sell for
> at least as much as the merely ordinary-top-of-the-line .
>
> It was designed to be complex and exotic .
>
> It was designed to be stiff and ultimately responsive .
>
> Remember that this was during the period when Campagnolo was being very
> "reactive" instead of "proactive" . This was during the period when
> Campagnolo lost its way a little bit , and tried to play "catch-up" with
> Shimano .
>
> I think Shimano had already come out with a group which was functionally
> about 98 % as race-ready as Dura-Ace - but , was made to really
> LOOK attractive . It was intended to go onto high-priced , prestigious
> , connoisseur , boutique bicycles . It was aimed at people who were
> looking to spend money , but who were also looking for APPEARANCE , and
> perhaps even color , not mere function . This was the Santé group ,
> wasn't it ? Or was the Santé group one step down from the one I'm
> thinking of ? There wasn't another group also , was there ? Either
> way , at first it actually cost close to the same price as Dura-Ace .
> Later it was marked down somewhat .
>
> Croce d'Aune was the Campagnolo version of that idea . Only , instead of
> supplying interesting colors and interesting finishes , to attract wealthy
> connoisseurs - Campagnolo supplied interesting engineering concepts .
>
> Croce d'Aune was more complex , more heavy , totally technically
> fascinating , and finished to the highest standards . It was expensive .
>
> The wealthy connoisseurs and aficionados . . . stayed away .
>
> Also , the long-time loyal fans of Campagnolo were confused . The new
> "click-shifting" "index-shifting" "C-Record" was confusing enough .
> But to introduce the Croce d'Aune , in addition ? Was the Croce d'Aune
> going to replace the "C-Record" ? Was it better or worse ? Which one
> were we supposed to day-dream about , more ? How can there be more than
> one ultimate ?
>
> The Croce d'Aune did not sell , but did cause confusion .
>
> End of experiment .
>
> Cheers ,
> Raoul Delmare
> Marysville Kansas
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Tom Sanders" <tsan7759142@comcast.net>
> To: <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
> Sent: Saturday, July 05, 2003 1:50 AM
> Subject: [CR]croce d'aune
>
>
> Is the Croce d'Aune a bargain version of C Record, or does this perhaps
> represent a time sequence within the group? As this is slightly beyond the
> timeline for being on topic, please respond off list if you feel
> uncomfortable answering on list. Sorry if this too far off topic.
> Tom Sanders
> Lansing, Mi