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So many european frames

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So many european frames

Old 12-28-08, 11:08 AM
  #1  
Surferbruce
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So many european frames

I've known of a few brands of frames here in europe that don't see the states, but I picked up Le Cycle's buyers guide, and am stunned by how many high dollar frames there are I've never heard of.
a few:
FSC
Whistle
Cube
CRC
Focus
Massi
Geliano
Le Vacon
L. Brouchard
Girs
Ferrus
Viper
De Prisa
Stevens
Wolhauser
Felino
Go Sport
D. Guédon
Switch
Carraro
Mannheim
Framy's
Bull's
Haibike
Prodoli
D. Salmon
Pilorget
CBT
FRM
some are just obvious rebadges of generic taiwan frames(not that there's anything wrong with that), but some are surprisingly nice looking and very light. Cube, Wolhauser, Gir's,and Haibike are just some that look really nice.
The magazine lays out pages of built bikes with prices and weights. The most expensive is a BH G4 with Campy SR and Lew's- 15,000 euros and 5.4 Kg, the second is a Laurent Brochard (never heard of them/him before) with Record and Lightweights that comes in at 13,000 euros and an even 5Kg (or around 11lbs)
Some are surprising, Stevens sells a cf monocoque frame with 105 and Ksyrium elites that retails for 1,829 euros and is listed at 6.9 Kg (15.0 lbs)
It's amazing the plethora of choices over here- I didn't mention the marques you have likely heard of like Ciocc, LaPierre, Corratec, Fondriest, Moser, KTM, Canyon, Bottecchia, Daccordi etc, who all also do insane frames. (the Lapierre Web Series frame is so insane, as is the Bottecchia BS 850 and the Ciocc Devilry Concept)
In comparison we seem to have such a few limited choices of high end carbon frames back in the states. It's the same with cycling mags too funny enough, every presse/tabac has at least 8 different road cycling mags, and at least half are better than anything we get back home.
Anyway, it was surprising to see so many brands I've never heard of.
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Old 12-28-08, 06:10 PM
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Focus are sponsoring the Milram pro team in 2009 IIRC. Nice frames according to some of the magazines that have tested them.

Laurent Brochard is a former pro world champion, Didn't know he had a bike range.
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Old 12-28-08, 06:51 PM
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Many of them may be house brands and a few of them would be custom builders. Australia followed the European trend for a while where many shops sold generic frames with their own shop brand on them. There was a time also when any serious bike racer was riding a custom built frame and I'm guessing that this is still reasonably popular in Europe.

Anthony
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Old 02-16-12, 02:58 PM
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@Surferbruce You said "I've known of a few brands of frames here in europe that don't see the states, but I picked up Le Cycle's buyers guide, and am stunned by how many high dollar frames there are I've never heard of.

Le Vacon constructor

Wolhauser assembler ( olympic champion in 1968 in individual pursuit in mexico)

D. Guédon constructor from Lyon

D. Salmon constructor


My Wolhauser 1969:



And if some one say to you that this not a wolhauser, answer " Prove it".

Frédéric
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Old 02-16-12, 03:02 PM
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Originally Posted by Surferbruce
I've known of a few brands of frames here in europe that don't see the states, but I picked up Le Cycle's buyers guide, and am stunned by how many high dollar frames there are I've never heard of.
Just because you haven't heard of them doesn't mean they don't sell them over here.
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Old 02-16-12, 03:25 PM
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focus does sell in the US
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Old 02-16-12, 03:29 PM
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Nor does Canyon or Boardman, unfortunately.
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Old 02-16-12, 03:34 PM
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Sometimes google and/or the forum search tool is a PITA. Replying to a four year-old topic... why?
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Old 02-16-12, 03:49 PM
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Typical newb move.
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Old 02-16-12, 04:08 PM
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By the way, is surferbruce still "living the dream" in France? Have not seen those beautiful pictorials of his in a while.
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Old 02-16-12, 05:03 PM
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Originally Posted by abstractform20
focus does sell in the US
Performance Bikes?
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Old 02-16-12, 05:30 PM
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Originally Posted by Jed19
By the way, is surferbruce still "living the dream" in France? Have not seen those beautiful pictorials of his in a while.
As of 1+ years ago when I last corresponded with him, he was back in the states in a full blown plan to go back for good soon. He had not ridden in months, but very interested to get back on the bike. Haven't heard from him since.
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Old 02-16-12, 05:41 PM
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Originally Posted by I <3 Robots
Performance Bikes?
i think they still do. there was a boutique shop near me that did as well.
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Old 02-16-12, 05:50 PM
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anyone who buys a euro frame does it because they hate america
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Old 02-16-12, 05:51 PM
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Originally Posted by wkg
anyone who buys a euro frame does it because they hate america
You are welcomed!
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Old 06-26-14, 12:45 PM
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es una wolhauser???
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Old 06-26-14, 12:49 PM
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Originally Posted by xuarex
es una wolhauser???

Originally Posted by ColinL
Sometimes google and/or the forum search tool is a PITA. Replying to a four year-old topic... why?
I hear ya
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Old 06-26-14, 01:42 PM
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Originally Posted by Surferbruce
In comparison we seem to have such a few limited choices of high end carbon frames back in the states. It's the same with cycling mags too funny enough, every presse/tabac has at least 8 different road cycling mags, and at least half are better than anything we get back home.
Anyway, it was surprising to see so many brands I've never heard of.
It's just a different market. It costs money to export, and set up dealer relationships overseas, and lots of small brands don't. Many small american brands you don't see in Europe.

And as for availability of very high end bikes, I think you'd be surprised by the parcity of high end bikes in the average European bike shop. The U.S. is still more affluent than most of Europe, and you just don't see many $5000 bikes there, whereas the are prevelant in many shops here.
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Old 06-26-14, 01:43 PM
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dammit, atacked by zombies again
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Old 02-04-21, 04:05 PM
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so many european frames

The USA is the biggest cycle market and all of the best frames are available. The wierd brands that are mentioned as available in Europe are mostly junk, all of the very best bikes are available for much less in the USA than in Europe. Europeans are used to paying much more for everything. That's due to their taxes, which makes everything more expensive. In the USA without those prohibitive taxes, everything is cheaper and companies can sell their very best at lower prices than the lower quality goods you get in Europe.
Again, the USA is the best place to buy your high end bike esp with top of the line components. Here, euro trash means junk euro bikes that won't sell in the USA:
Americans are more demanding when it comes to frames and professional components. As proof of this, campy, at least up until the ealry 2000's has three levels in the USA, namely record (all of them), chorus and athena. In europe campy has all sorts of lower end components that we've never heard of. Why? Because the American consumer in general will not buy garbage. You can get better cheese, wine, bread, ham, sausage, eggs, beer, etc in EUrope, because they have long traditions and government subsidies that make those products cheap, but the best technical products are marketed in the USA because we have lower taxes and higher expectations. Get your Colnago in the USA and trick out with the very best.
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Old 02-04-21, 04:13 PM
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These two quotes were from February of 2014 in this 2008 thread
Originally Posted by ColinL
Sometimes google and/or the forum search tool is a PITA. Replying to a four year-old topic... why?
Originally Posted by merlinextraligh
dammit, atacked by zombies again
Time marches on and evidently zombies don't die.

Last edited by Iride01; 02-04-21 at 04:16 PM.
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Old 02-04-21, 04:18 PM
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Old 02-04-21, 04:24 PM
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Originally Posted by Iride01
These two quotes were from February of 2014 in this 2008 thread

Time marches on and evidently zombies don't die.
Why are they always revived by someone with single-digit posts, and often accompanied by some weird rant?
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Old 02-04-21, 04:26 PM
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This is why you can’t have nice things.
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Old 02-04-21, 04:41 PM
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Originally Posted by datlas
This is why you can’t have nice things.
Hey, don't be dissing my bikes! <grin>

I think they are nice. But maybe it's like any proud parent. Some things you have to believe are nice.
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