Originally Posted by
chaadster
Campy’s Xenon was Sora level, Mirage was Tiagra level, Veloce was 105, and then came Centaur (which still exists), Athena, Potenza…all while the more familiar Chorus, Record, Super Record hierarchy existed, and before Cues, Claris, or any Microshift did.
What was happening in 2009 when Xenon was dropped? The Asian bike boom was in full swing, with China open, Taiwan investing heavily, and carbon fiber rising rapidly.
Speaking of carbon fiber, Reynolds tubing (which itself weathered financial hardships including parent company bankruptcy in the late ‘90s) has some tubesets made to spec in Taiwan because “
it makes much more sense with lead times and costs to do it this way” according to the CEO: https://road.cc/content/feature/rena...-frames-300667
I am aware that Campy used to have entry level components.
My point was that they don't have that now.
Campy chose to leave the entry level market- that is my point.
As for Reynolds producing one tube model in Asia, 520, what is your point? Yes, it is produced under contract by a company in Asia...but that has nothing to do with this discussion. Reynolds produces 631, 725, and 853 tubing in England and bike's in Asia are made with that tubing. Same thing is possible with drivetrain components.
Similarly, Continental tires made in Germany can head to Asia and be used on OEM spec'd bikes.
Components can come from Europe and be used in Asia OEM.