rms13

Inspired by the SRAM thread I figured I would start this. Seriously, I don't remember the last time I walked into an LBS and saw a Campy equipped bike on the floor. Must be in decline

Niloc

you ready for a flame battle huh? I suppose Campy is in danger in this winner take all mass market we have. The stuff is awesome though. There's some snob appeal and history fo sho, but it's nice stuff, designed and made by people who really care about cycling. For example the Ergo levers. People go out of their way to get those on their bikes even if they have to Shimango them to their Shimano drivetrain. They have to chase the crabon fiber, electronic shifting, cutting edge stuff to stay relevant, but I think they should make sure they keep the high polish beautiful alloy stuff going that made them famous too. There's a small but willing market there.

RollCNY

I see Campagnolo equipped bikes in my LBS frequently. Felt has at least two models in their line up.

But they never have bacon. Is bacon in decline?

rms13

There is already a flame battle going for days in the SRAM thread so why not expand? And while were at it , why don't I see more Microshift?

rms13

I think the bacon market is stronger than it's ever been. Lots of small artisan producers getting into the game and raising the stakes. It's a great time to be a bacon lover

BoSoxYacht

Great thread.

Are they in decline?

Nope. They are in a league of their own.

hueyhoolihan

i think the incline on my favorite climb is in decline. it seems to be getting marginally easier...

Soil_Sampler

The costs of doing business in a none asian country. (European Union)

rms13

So same could be said for SRAM?

spdntrxi

I would welcome a decline...






































in prices

Psimet2001 

Where's the "+1" button?

RollCNY

The cost of skilled labor in Romania (Campy's near shoring location) is about 30% off China's. Transportation is less, both on finished product and on supplied material (many EU contracts have a very restrictive raw material sources which do not include China). I do not know their cost structure, but to say they are pricey because of non-asian sourcing is overly simplistic.

3alarmer 

...bacon gets a ton of bad press that is, in my opinion, unwarranted.

Silvercivic27

Too bad you don't go to any good bike shops.

RollCNY

It's a rasher.

rjones28 

We don't press our bacon here.

Hapsmo911

Sagging pants or fitted suit? Not everyone has a good sense for style and class it can be learned but most people don't understand. They say sheep will follow each other off a cliff.

Trsnrtr

Decline? Don't know, but I'm replacing my 2006 Centaur group with a new Record group this week.

Soil_Sampler

Simplistic, but one of the factors in Campys price difference.

Campag4life

Nope. Believe your neighborhood is in decline. Bike shop owners understand demographics...at least the ones that stay in business and if your town in shambles, an astute bike shop owner will provide types of bikes equipped with groupsets that his customers can afford...that is the one's that aren't stolen.

embankmentlb

At any price level People have the perception they can buy a bike with Shimano or SRAM and it will be a great experience. Few people drop 4k + on their first bike or any bike for that matter. Campy's reputation that it only really works well on it's high end groups hurts them. Will that niche market keep them alive? I think it is questionable, especially if aesthetically they drop their classic looks for a more radical one.

rjones28 

Which end?

clausen

Unless your there accountant your talking out your backside.

Zef

I hate to sound like a Campagnolo appologist but your comment seems based in ignorance.

First here is an excerpt from the Campagnolo website verifying how they see themselves in the market place:

"VISION
To be leader in high end and top of the line cycling applications, with a distinguished brand able to ignite passion.

MISSION
To produce high tech products, innovation and design with enduring quality..."

For many who ride Campagnolo equiped bikes, the above statements seem to ring true.

Campagnolo is not out to capture the larger marketshare. They don't produce components at the lowest end of the spectrum like Shimano and they don't seem to have any desire to expand into that strata of the market either...just as they have made forays into the MTB realm in the past and reallized that is not in concert with their vision/mission.

Campagnolo caters to a small sector of the total market, and could be defined as catering to a niche market.

Second:
Where is the evidence that only their end groups (I suspect you mean high-end/upper tier product lines) work well?

While it is true that the groups that make up the upper tiers of their product line up do offer more in funtionality and have desirable design features that are not necessarily present on lower level components, that is a far cry from there lower level stuff not working well.

The only thing that I think you are correct about in your post is the issue of aesthetics. But beauty is in the eye of the beholder or so they say.

When one looks at the market niche Campy caters to, and look beyond your borders to see where they fit in the global market, you will better understand that Campagnolo remains a mainstay of the industry.

-j

Campag4life

Actually, human civilization is on the decline which impedes perception of value. So yes, in an obtuse way, Campy is in decline but likely not at the same rate other similar products are. As to the decline thing relative to Campy, the fact that they are retooling their mechanical and electrical groupsets for 2015 suggests they apparently are solvent enough to make this investment. Further, there is speculation that Campy will be making more of a push to get on OEM bikes throughout the world. I really don't think it matters in the grand scheme just as long as Campy hangs around so I can ride it. To me, just having come off DA 9000, there is a difference in the riding experience but would say that many likely wouldn't even notice. But to me, the ergonomics are night and day better with Campy.