Some speculation about the Rambouillet based on anecdotal evidence: When the Rambouillet was part of the regular Riv line, it undersold the Atlantis by about half. At least that was the approximate breakdown at my shop, and what I seem to recall Grant writing somewhere. It was sort of frustrating (for me) to sell them, because I could spend a lot of time with a potential customer. S/he'd do test rides, and ask lots of questions, and agree that the bike was lovely, comfortable, and rode beautifully... But about 80% of the time that potential customer would go out and buy a Specialized/Cannondale/Trek/ whatever, which had the benefits of being lighter, less money, and something other cyclists on the club ride would recognize. Not everybody has the spine to show up on a bike that is different than what everybody else rides, then endure the sidelong glances and "you paid how much (!) for a 23-lb bike that looks like my old Raleigh and only has 105 parts on it?!" Anyway, with all that going against it, the Rambouillet always had a limited number of people who understood it, and I assume, at some point, the demand for the model showed signs of saturating. Again, I recall Grant writing somewhere that he feared market saturation and it drove him to freshen up the line with new models.
Interesting how a hiatus or discontinuation of a thing makes it suddenly more desirable. I've fielded more phone calls and emails about Bleriots lately than I ever did when they were available. On Apr 13, 7:29 am, usuk2007 <clive.stand...@umassmed.edu> wrote: > I'm with you on the love for Carradice, although I'm biased as I'm > from the UK and used > one on my bike back in the 1970s. I think Acorn is a close second > because they are > making simple practical bags. > > I also agree about the Sackvilles, I just can't love them, the look > busy and sort > of weird. > > Also words like "beausage" put my teeth on edge.... > > Things I like are the customer service and commitment. > > Ways to improve. Bring back the Rambouillet. Cycling is about more > than practicality > and carrying stuff. The racing end is important too, so why ignore it. > Do something like > Independent Fabrications or the Italian makers and bring out a fast > steel bike. The > legolas is kind of that but I'd like to see more. > > On Apr 12, 11:20 pm, beth h <periwinkle...@yahoo.com> wrote: > > > Things I love about RBW: > > > 1. Lugged steel frames that last for years and years (like mine, for > > instance) > > 2. The Atlantis (I love my LongLow but the Atlantis is very possibly > > the best frame ever designed for anything). > > 2a. The All-Rounder -- bring it back maybe? > > 3. Tire and fender clearance (long before anyone else was returning to > > the idea). > > 4. Canvas bags, particularly Carradice (RBW introduced us to one > > another in '98 and it's been a love affair ever since) > > > Things that make me twitch and make funny noises: > > > 1. Tweed fender flaps and bags > > 2. Sackville, second generation (remember Carradice made the first > > generation of these bags for RBW back in the day) > > 3. The sad short-livedness of the original Wooly Warm line (especially > > the olive green sweaters and vests with those buttoned fronts and > > pockets) -- please bring it back!! > > > Beth --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
