Originally Posted by
Citoyen du Monde
There is nothing wrong with a Mark Nobilette bike, so why not simply buy a Nobilette if you are simply looking at the quality? Why would the bankroll behind herse not simply build his own brand and sell that, or simply become the marketing force behind Mark Nobilette bikes? There is only one reason, the bankroll is a cynical opportunist who is counting on profiting from the hard work and lack of conviction of others.
Why not a Nobilette? Styling, and lets say Mark would not do a bike in a Herse style without authorization. Reasonable convictions.
Mike Kone is doing a Boulder Cycles, different animal.
Who is being being taken advantage of? The public? They don't have to buy it. Lack of conviction? I do not understand that, hard work has to go into these things, the financier deserves a profit if it goes well.
to be true, does one have to be as talented and bitter like Bruce Gordon is perceived? He has complained frequently about the lack of monetary success, but he is very talented.
Mark and Bruce might be examples of where those who are talented at doing are best not to be doing the representation, even Picasso had an agent. Then there are guys like Hockney who might not be anywhere without one.