Originally Posted by teenerted1 (Post 4779191)

been in the bike industry since 1986

used to have a serotta.

racers have always opted for stiffness over flex.

many companies are using the same factories in asia, but they have contracts to either use a common design or one of their own.
some companies use the same common frame. more likely with more mass produced models. but they are not all the same and all from china.

but when it comes to carbon most are using their own designs and might contract to the same plant in taiwan but they still dont share much.

sorry to burst your bubble but cabon frames dont break if you drop them. have you ever tried to break a carbon post? try hitting a steal pipe with a carbon post then a steal post on same steal pipe...neither breaks and the carbon one doesnt sting your hands.

treks at anything other than a Independent Bike Dealer?
doubt that, they have very strict rules on who sells their bikes. most of the higher end brands do.

the waterford schwinn paramount is not the same as the Schwinn that is sold through wally world and thus not the same money involved it supporting a pro team of the level that participates in "le Tour"
Schwinn was sold in 1993 to the Scott Sports Group, who retained the Paramount name/ trademark but sold off the Waterford factory. It was purchased and is now run by Marc Muller, Richard Schwinn (the great grandson of Ignaz Schwinn) and George Garner. George got his start at Hans Ohrt Lightweight bicycles in Beverly Hills. George bought Valley Cyclery in Van Nuys, California in the late 1940's( I worked there in 1979 ) and established 4 more shops in the Los Angles area. I mention him and his background because he was instrumental in working with Frank W. Schwinn, Ray Burch and Schwinn's marketing dept to develop the 'total-concept store' as well as uniform work procedures, marketing, advertising and company service schools to keep all dealers up to date. Waterford Precision Cycles is alive and doing quite well, a great success in their own right. That success, is owed in part to their early pioneering efforts with oversize tubesets such as 753 and 853 as well as their unique relationship with Reynolds.

the big schwinn is now part of Doral Industries...along with several other marques
http://www.dorel.com/marques.htm

Originally Posted by Zef (Post 4779245)

Thanks for the info Ted....My beast is a carbon one, shimano Ultegra equipped....No regret yet to have go by carbon...I simply love the rigidity it come with....!
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1247702675.jpg

Originally Posted by Zef (Post 4779245)

Thanks for the info Ted....My beast is a carbon one, shimano Ultegra equipped....No regret yet to have go by carbon...I simply love the rigidity it come with....!
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1247702675.jpg

Originally Posted by teenerted1 (Post 4779191)

been in the bike industry since 1986

used to have a serotta.

racers have always opted for stiffness over flex.

many companies are using the same factories in asia, but they have contracts to either use a common design or one of their own.
some companies use the same common frame. more likely with more mass produced models. but they are not all the same and all from china.

but when it comes to carbon most are using their own designs and might contract to the same plant in taiwan but they still dont share much.

sorry to burst your bubble but cabon frames dont break if you drop them. have you ever tried to break a carbon post? try hitting a steal pipe with a carbon post then a steal post on same steal pipe...neither breaks and the carbon one doesnt sting your hands.

treks at anything other than a Independent Bike Dealer?
doubt that, they have very strict rules on who sells their bikes. most of the higher end brands do.

the waterford schwinn paramount is not the same as the Schwinn that is sold through wally world and thus not the same money involved it supporting a pro team of the level that participates in "le Tour"
Schwinn was sold in 1993 to the Scott Sports Group, who retained the Paramount name/ trademark but sold off the Waterford factory. It was purchased and is now run by Marc Muller, Richard Schwinn (the great grandson of Ignaz Schwinn) and George Garner. George got his start at Hans Ohrt Lightweight bicycles in Beverly Hills. George bought Valley Cyclery in Van Nuys, California in the late 1940's( I worked there in 1979 ) and established 4 more shops in the Los Angles area. I mention him and his background because he was instrumental in working with Frank W. Schwinn, Ray Burch and Schwinn's marketing dept to develop the 'total-concept store' as well as uniform work procedures, marketing, advertising and company service schools to keep all dealers up to date. Waterford Precision Cycles is alive and doing quite well, a great success in their own right. That success, is owed in part to their early pioneering efforts with oversize tubesets such as 753 and 853 as well as their unique relationship with Reynolds.

the big schwinn is now part of Doral Industries...along with several other marques
http://www.dorel.com/marques.htm

Originally Posted by look 171 (Post 4779862)

I grew up riding and crashed many steel bikes. Why are we so caught up on steel? I like carbon. when I use to go out and beat my self up I had a bad habbit of always grabbing my Look 171 that I called the Jalabert special. I think slope top tube steel is just really ugly and so its some of the carbon. I would buy a Cervelo or Giant (had their 1st team alum. bike) if I was in the market for a bike. I have been out of the loop on bikes, is that Cannandale they are riding in the Tour carbon or are they still alum?

Originally Posted by teenerted1 (Post 4779191)

been in the bike industry since 1986

used to have a serotta.

racers have always opted for stiffness over flex.

many companies are using the same factories in asia, but they have contracts to either use a common design or one of their own.
some companies use the same common frame. more likely with more mass produced models. but they are not all the same and all from china.

but when it comes to carbon most are using their own designs and might contract to the same plant in taiwan but they still dont share much.

sorry to burst your bubble but cabon frames dont break if you drop them. have you ever tried to break a carbon post? try hitting a steal pipe with a carbon post then a steal post on same steal pipe...neither breaks and the carbon one doesnt sting your hands.

treks at anything other than a Independent Bike Dealer?
doubt that, they have very strict rules on who sells their bikes. most of the higher end brands do.

the waterford schwinn paramount is not the same as the Schwinn that is sold through wally world and thus not the same money involved it supporting a pro team of the level that participates in "le Tour"
Schwinn was sold in 1993 to the Scott Sports Group, who retained the Paramount name/ trademark but sold off the Waterford factory. It was purchased and is now run by Marc Muller, Richard Schwinn (the great grandson of Ignaz Schwinn) and George Garner. George got his start at Hans Ohrt Lightweight bicycles in Beverly Hills. George bought Valley Cyclery in Van Nuys, California in the late 1940's( I worked there in 1979 ) and established 4 more shops in the Los Angles area. I mention him and his background because he was instrumental in working with Frank W. Schwinn, Ray Burch and Schwinn's marketing dept to develop the 'total-concept store' as well as uniform work procedures, marketing, advertising and company service schools to keep all dealers up to date. Waterford Precision Cycles is alive and doing quite well, a great success in their own right. That success, is owed in part to their early pioneering efforts with oversize tubesets such as 753 and 853 as well as their unique relationship with Reynolds.

the big schwinn is now part of Doral Industries...along with several other marques
http://www.dorel.com/marques.htm

Originally Posted by T77911S (Post 4779913)

nice to see someone with an inteligent comment other than bike "X" sucks and steel is real.

Originally Posted by T77911S (Post 4779913)

if carbon was so brittle, they would be trashing bikes on P roubaix.

Originally Posted by 924slover (Post 4781190)

i still use my old steel nishiki that my father bought at a yard sale and he fixed then when i worked at a bike shop i upgraded the brakes,bottom bracket, hubs,crank,handlebars,wheels, tires etc everything except the frame it looks like crap but I've put it up against other much more expensive bike's and it's faster and much more reliable.

and on the mtb side of things i still ride my fuji tahoe thats stock and it takes a beating like you wouldn't believe

Originally Posted by billybek (Post 4781574)

Was today's stage winner riding a Focus?
That was the first real mountain bike that I raced on. Tight rear triangle and steep angles on the seat and head tube. I loved that bike until I folded it up.
It was pink, but it was called burnt purple... Good job I had the lungs to back it up back then.

Originally Posted by billybek (Post 4781574)

Was today's stage winner riding a Focus?
That was the first real mountain bike that I raced on. Tight rear triangle and steep angles on the seat and head tube. I loved that bike until I folded it up.
It was pink, but it was called burnt purple... Good job I had the lungs to back it up back then.

Originally Posted by 924slover (Post 4781190)

i still use my old steel nishiki that my father bought at a yard sale and he fixed then when i worked at a bike shop i upgraded the brakes,bottom bracket, hubs,crank,handlebars,wheels, tires etc everything except the frame it looks like crap but I've put it up against other much more expensive bike's and it's faster and much more reliable.

and on the mtb side of things i still ride my fuji tahoe thats stock and it takes a beating like you wouldn't believe