Professional Cycling For the Fans - No love for Bianchi?

This may be a matter of sponsorship rather than frame quality but, why aren't there more riders on Bianchis out there? Admittedly, I do not know very much about the comparisons that may be drawn between high end bicycles—I have a mid-range Specialized and am quite happy with it. That said, I always thought of Bianchi as a reputable manufacturer?

Note: due to Versus' rider-oriented coverage, there is a good deal I am missing. The camera angles are usually on the riders themselves, their faces rather than the rides. That said, has anybody compiled a complete list of each team's equipment sponsors for the current Tour?

Versus does not control the camera, that is controlled by the French TV.

"may be a matter of sponsorship"?

It's completely a matter of sponsorship. Those guys aren't riding the frames they would like to, they're riding the frames they are paid to ride and who's manufacturers/distributors have signed agreements to such.

Even Lance, who has a long standing relationship with Trek, is riding a frame that isn't necessarily his first choice. He used to decry compact geometry frames and during his career, more or less kept Trek producing frames that had more or less conventional cockpit dimensions. As soon as he retired, they changed their frames towards a more semi/compact design that is more market responsive. The result of his return, he's on one of those newer designs and now it's, "allright","not as bad as I used to think", etc.

Probably the only wide spread exception to using sponsors gear is in the area of all important contact points, saddle, shoes, bars and wrap.

This may be a matter of sponsorship rather than frame quality but, why aren't there more riders on Bianchis out there? Admittedly, I do not know very much about the comparisons that may be drawn between high end bicycles—I have a mid-range Specialized and am quite happy with it. That said, I always thought of Bianchi as a reputable manufacturer?

Note: due to Versus' rider-oriented coverage, there is a good deal I am missing. The camera angles are usually on the riders themselves, their faces rather than the rides. That said, has anybody compiled a complete list of each team's equipment sponsors for the current Tour?

Barloworld rides the Bianchi HoC 928SL, T-Cube, and Infinito (2010 model). They aren't in the TdF this year. They were in the Giro this year though. Nobody on their team finished in the top 10 GC.

Here are the bikes in the TdF this year:
http://www.bicycling.com/tourdefrance/tourbikes/1.html

Later...

My wife even noticed it the other day..."isn't there anyone on Bianchi?"

She noticed it because 10 years ago she hated my celest Bianchi, but still...

Yup, not a question of love, only money.

"may be a matter of sponsorship"?

It's completely a matter of sponsorship. Those guys aren't riding the frames they would like to, they're riding the frames they are paid to ride and who's manufacturers/distributors have signed agreements to such.

Even Lance, who has a long standing relationship with Trek, is riding a frame that isn't necessarily his first choice. He used to decry compact geometry frames and during his career, more or less kept Trek producing frames that had more or less conventional cockpit dimensions. As soon as he retired, they changed their frames towards a more semi/compact design that is more market responsive. The result of his return, he's on one of those newer designs and now it's, "allright","not as bad as I used to think", etc.

While this makes perfect sense to me I can't help but wonder why Trek would not produce exactly what a LA would want? I mean how hard would it be for them to make LA and his ilk the bikes that best conformed to what they wanted? What you wrote makes sense but I can't see the advantage to Trek for them to have LA riding anything less than what he felt gave him the best opportunity to win.

I'm a noob trying to figure it out.

Chris

While this makes perfect sense to me I can't help but wonder why Trek would not produce exactly what a LA would want? I mean how hard would it be for them to make LA and his ilk the bikes that best conformed to what they wanted? What you wrote makes sense but I can't see the advantage to Trek for them to have LA riding anything less than what he felt gave him the best opportunity to win.

I'm a noob trying to figure it out.

Chris

This is interesting, too, if one looks back to the time of steel-framed bicycles. I've heard a lot of riders were on custom made bicycles, that stands to reason given the flexibility of the medium. With modern frames, I would assume the production process is not nearly as conducive to such customization. That said, I do agree with you here.

The modern bikes are mass produced. Customised? Hah! There's not even any variation in frame size, let alone suiting the frame to the rider. Welcome to the cookie cutter world of modern cycling.

Richard
just letting my inner retro-grump have a play