Which brands have maintained or improved their products?

[MattTuck]

Originally Posted by Mark McM

I would say that nearly all brands have improved their products over time. In the face of competition, those brands that don't continue to improve their products soon disappear.

If you made lists of older brands that are still around, and those that have disappeared, it will nearly match the lists of brands that have improved over time, and those that have not.

and yet Bicycling magazine persists

[zap]

Well, Zipp is still around! Have to admit, I have not paid attention to Zipp after hub revision 28.

[gdw]

I know they are politically incorrect for some of you but Camelbak has constantly improved their products over the years. Lots of folks have jumped on the hydration bladder bandwagon but Camelbak is and deserves to be the industry leader.

[Clean39T]

Originally Posted by MattTuck

and yet Bicycling magazine persists

Their magazine isn't the problem - it's their website. It's impossible to read with the number of ads and pop-ups. Total fail on their part.

[ripvanrando]

Assos.

I bought my first Assos shorts about 35 years ago and the new versions just get better and better.

[bfd]

Originally Posted by Mark McM

I would say that nearly all brands have improved their products over time. In the face of competition, those brands that don't continue to improve their products soon disappear.

If you made lists of older brands that are still around, and those that have disappeared, it will nearly match the lists of brands that have improved over time, and those that have not.

Yup, it is that old saying - Innovate or Die! Two brands I can think of that use to be at the top and are either dead or a shadow of themselves are Avocet and
Kestrel.

One company that has really improved and is currently a leader is Giant. Their carbon frames are used by everybody and they are the builder of just about every one of the latest lightweight carbon frames that come out of Asia and dominate the market.

Good Luck!

[oldpotatoe]

Originally Posted by GonaSovereign

+1 on mentions of Spooky (always an amazing bike; just better thought out detail now) and Norco (which were junk 20 years ago and amazing now).

Broadly, the entire industry has improved because materials and design have improved. Sora or Rival is better than Super Record of a couple decades back.

Current Sora or Rival better than 1998 Record, because of design and materials?.......ahhhh, nope. Maybe QC but materials and design of at least Rival essentially the same, albeit more robust to reduce failures. SuperRecord last made in 1987 until 2009.

[saab2000]

Originally Posted by oldpotatoe

Current Sora or Rival better than 1998 Record, because of design and materials?.......ahhhh, nope. Maybe QC but materials and design of at least Rival essentially the same, albeit more robust to reduce failures. SuperRecord last made in 1987 until 2009.

Agreed. 1998 Record was great stuff, superceded only when it became 10-speed, which was the high point of Campagnolo Record componentry. In my opinion.

I ride with people who ride Sora/Tiaga and Rival. Based on how many times we have to stop to adjust this garbage I’m not a fan. Mostly it has to do with the OEM spec and terrible shop builds, but my first hand experience does not give me confidence.

[Andy340]

White Industry - great hubs, VBC cranks are a good option if you need less than 34t inner ring and now expanded to multiple B.B. formats , now have headsets (no experience with these but good to have more options/colors)

[Clean39T]

Originally Posted by Andy340

White Industry - great hubs, VBC cranks are a good option if you need less than 34t inner ring and now expanded to multiple B.B. formats , now have headsets (no experience with these but good to have more options/colors)

Paul’s Components too.

What happened to Kooka? Ringle??

[e-RICHIE]

Originally Posted by Clean39T

Paul’s Components too.

What happened to Kooka? Ringle??

They merged and became Kingle.

PS

arrange disorder

[echelon_john]

Just merged again; now it's Chris Kingle.

Originally Posted by e-RICHIE

They merged and became Kingle.

PS

arrange disorder

[dcama5]

Originally Posted by echelon_john

Just merged again; now it's Chris Kingle.

(X) Like

[merckx]

Reynolds and Columbus.

[Hellgate]

All who are still in business?

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