Pinarello 2 - Colnago 0 ?

by Jens on Oct 9, 2009 1:17 PM EDT

Today we heard that Team Sky will ride Pinarellos for the coming three years. This means that two of the major teams will be marketing the Italian mega-brand. Meanwhile the other legendary brand, Colnago, remains unrepresented on the ProTour level. Do any of you know the back-story here?

Is it just coincidence or are there some explanations, monetary or other, to why they haven't been sponsoring a major team since Rabobank ditched them for Giant?

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One big reason: They don't have a good TT bike. That is why Rabo left and why nobody big will come their way until

they get one that isn’t standard road tubes just curved and shaped to look aero when it is mostly aesthetic.

by Vlaanderen90 on Oct 9, 2009 1:48 PM EDT reply actions

That makes sense

I think they would probably love to be back with a pro tour team but those teams need a top flight tt bike.

If I just had one more gear, I...

by SpunOut on Oct 9, 2009 2:08 PM EDT up reply actions

Totally Agree.

It must cost a fortune to design/build a TT rig and so few roadies even own them (maybe I should put a poll out on this). Even tri guys seem to stick to more of te tri-specialist brands.

The Pinarello Montello is a beautiful rig, but there is no way I’m spending $20k on a bike.

by Peter Fontecchio on Oct 9, 2009 4:15 PM EDT up reply actions

http://triathlon.competitor.com/2009/10/news/results-are-in-2009-kona-bike-count-presented-by-triathlete-magazine_5170

by samb on Oct 13, 2009 3:56 AM EDT up reply actions

They still have at least 2 fairly prominent Pro Conti teams

Landbouwkrediet-Colnago and CSF Group-Navigare. Maybe they think they get good value for their money from them?

by majope on Oct 9, 2009 1:54 PM EDT reply actions

True...

They get a lot of there sponsorship dollars from Gran Fondo’s and people in America, when they hear the name Colnago start to drool, even though they don’t sponsor any teams.

Nys is just a guy who sells their ’cross and mountain bikes (not that they do much of either) with his performances and gets the name out there…a lot in any discipline that he does. Not every company hinges on Tour de France rides for money

by Vlaanderen90 on Oct 9, 2009 3:02 PM EDT up reply actions

FWIW

I suspect the big companies today (Giant, Specialized, Pinarello, Trek and C-Dale), feel a need to keep their brands out there in the public eye. Using Lance, Boonen, Valverde to help sell their bikes.
Smaller companies on the Pro Tour like Focus, Kuota and Canyon are trying to gain brand recognition (but it’s costly) as well. Companies like Colnago, Litespeed, Parlee and Indy Fab have their market and probably don’t want the expense of sponsering a pro team. I’m guessing profit margins these days are paper thin, and if I buy a Colnago it isn’t going to be because Milram rode them.

by Peter Fontecchio on Oct 9, 2009 3:58 PM EDT reply actions

This was roughly my guess as well

The potential gains are bigger for the the ones trying to establish themselves on the market (Focus, Cervelo, Canyon, Ridley) or dominate it (Giant, Specialized, Trek) than the ones that have an established and lucrative niche.

by Jens on Oct 9, 2009 4:13 PM EDT up reply actions

It's a crapshoot at best too.

It’s funny (Chris hates when i mention skiing, but he might not be looking) but remeber in the 80’s how many ski companies were represented on the World Cup Circuit. It seems today that there are only about 5-6 brands out there… And building a DH ski can’t really be that expensive. Just a big GS ski with an extra layer of metal.

by Peter Fontecchio on Oct 9, 2009 4:18 PM EDT up reply actions

I accept no other brand than ELAN

(I have never been on a pair of skis)

by Jens on Oct 9, 2009 4:31 PM EDT up reply actions

Just like Stenmark

by Peter Fontecchio on Oct 9, 2009 4:44 PM EDT up reply actions

bollocks . . . with respect

Colnago has been coasting on their reputation for 15 years.

Compare and contrast their business and R&D decisions to Trek rather than the boutique brands: for nearly a decade, Trek sat on the same oclv carbon fiber design—but when they figured out that that lack of innovation was killing them in the marketplace, they responded.

Colnago . . . . . . have they gotten around to using integrated headsets yet?

by R Mc on Oct 9, 2009 4:34 PM EDT up reply actions

Maybe they're in cahoots

with Chris King.

For myself, I like my 5-7 year old technology, but that’s because I like the idea of taking care of stuff and being rewarded with many years of use. I’m sure the next time I purchase a new bike I will take advantage of all the innovations that are out there.

by Peter Fontecchio on Oct 9, 2009 4:48 PM EDT up reply actions

Integrated headsets

are poor design, aesthetics over function. Ernesto Colnago is with Chris King on that one; he has said so.

However, Colnago has rested on its reputation, keeps its prices insanely high, etc: I agree with that.

by Drongo on Oct 9, 2009 7:00 PM EDT up reply actions

I had a King on my last non-integrated

bike and it was great (never even gave it a thought). But i find the internal ones just fine too. Just drop the bearings in and go.
King should have hopped on that one. I would love to have a King interrnal headset (in blue) on my C-dale.

by Peter Fontecchio on Oct 9, 2009 7:08 PM EDT up reply actions

Well, I'll leave to the man himself to explain

his reasons

by Drongo on Oct 9, 2009 10:29 PM EDT up reply actions

His reasons are sound

but, the reality is almost nobody builds (road) bikes without an integrated design anymore, in fact we are seeing more tapered fork designs as well. I just wish King made an integrated model since his quality is superior, but I respect that he stands by his principles.

I also wish he made a campy compatible hub.

by Peter Fontecchio on Oct 10, 2009 7:33 AM EDT up reply actions