Velo Orange new stuff
 

After replying to this thread:
http://www.bikeforums.net/showpost.p...1&postcount=94

I thought it might be good to start another one regarding other parts and accessories we are working on, or at least create a dialogue here in addition to our blog.

I'd like to see a larger selection of dynamo powered LED lights :)

Are you asking for suggestions?

Someone suggested, to a possibly cool reception, the idea of gumwall 700's. I like this idea.

I'd like to see better prices. $25 for Grand Cru hangers and $32 for Elkhide sew-ons?

-Kurt

"...skinwall, skinwall, skinwall!"

-Kurt

Tom, you should offer built up 26 x 1 3/8" wheels for us Sports guys with CR18 rims and new hubs.

Yeah, I mostly stopped shopping there when prices got prohibitively expensive.

But I just looked at the site again, and there's lots of new stuff! Which is cool.

This would be nice, especially with 3 speeds and dynamo hubs. Then again, I'd like that with 650b's too...

Please guys...don't complain about the prices. Is there any bike shop that offers the same products? I can't get most of that stuff at any LBS in my area...Unless I drive for two hours. I agree some things are pricey.

I do think a nice 700C tire with supple casing and 27-30MM diameter would be awesome. The Grand Bois Tires are just too expensive for what they are...I'm sorry but the casing is exactly same as the Panaracer...There is no reason the same casing and different tread should cost twice as much as the Pasalea tire.

If VO could make a very good 700C sport touring performance tire for 70$ a pair I think that'd be a safe bet.

Ohh, niice. You don't make semi-custom frames anymore? I don't know if I like that.

i've found that velo-orange has very reasonable prices on a lot of things, some of which are very unique.

noticing that tom only has two posts on this forum, i only hope that he doesn't use this board as a one-way street to quietly collect information, but actively participates in discussions.

I'm a happy customer.Thanks for offering the hard to get stuff.

...because you were in the market for a New, $2000 semi-custom frame? :rolleyes: kinda doubt it.

I'd like to see some Velo-Orange High Flange hubs (Normandy Knockoffs maybe) that don't cost the huge amount Electra is asking for theirs.

+1 for more dynamo powered LED lights. But make them more vintagey looking...All the ones V-O currently has look too modern to my eye.


and I'd like to see the Flashlight/Headlight mounts that V-O used to carry make a return.

Cuda-

ahh--- the age old pricing story......

Like it or not, things cost money, and generally things cost more to make now then they did 30 years ago. $25 for a *pair* of Grand Cru cable hangers is actually not bad at all, when you consider the alternatives are NOS (impossible to find, original Herse hangers fetch for hundreds of euros on ebay). There's Toei (almost as difficult to find and they cost 6000-9000 yen). Modern triangle type hangers from TRP and others do not have the same look or function, but we sell a ton of them for $7.50 a wheel, which is $15 for a bike.

For another couple lattes, you can seriously upgrade your brake cable hanger.

I know- i don't drink those milkshakes either, but you get my point.

The elkhide bar covers are similar- they are very competitively priced. More importantly, they are actually available for sale. There are alternatives, like Toshi, which going from memory, are $55-60. A fellow CR lister occasionally sells sew on bar covers and it's $30-45 depending on how many you buy and how well you know him.

If these prices are exorbitant, what would be reasonable to you?

I'd love to be able to offer gumwall or tan sidewall tires ('skin' comes in a range of colors, including darker brown and even black, so I really try not to use that term for describing color hues). Velo Orange is a bit player in the tire world. We are trying, but opening molds like Pacenti or WTB is a little beyond our budget, much as we would like to offer it.
There's more to it than sidewall color though. Cheap gum and tan sidewall tires are available through any US distributor who supply to any bike shop in the US. What we are all looking for is a quality tire, with a hgher thread count, lighter weight and better wearing tread compound. but OEM suppliers usually care about one thing: OE COST. That is what forces us to pay dearly for molds, because we want something a little better than commodity level tires. The factory has an expectation that a mold (one size, tread compound, bead, specification etc) will be pumping out a minimum of 50,000 tires, if not more, for the cost to be completely amortized. Velo Orange will never sell that many tires. So, we have to rely on our charms and work with some tire makers who are willing to work with smaller companies like Rivendell, Grand Bois, and us . ;)

I bought a few items there a few months ago and was very happy with what I got. After emailing them and receiving a helpful reply, I decided to get the croissant bag, which is great and a perfect size for what I needed.

However, I do agree that some items are higher than I can afford. I had been wanting to buy a few racks, but I just can't justify spending the $240 necessary for the two racks I liked.

I don't want to seem like I am bashing the company and its prices though. Every other item that I wanted and found on the site was fairly priced and I can't find similar racks that I like anywhere else.

Southpaw- I've posted quite a bit here, albeit anonymously and privately. I've done the same on the i-bob list the past few years. The CR list is my home though- been active on and off since 1999 or thereabouts. I can say with confidence that I have never used these lists and forums as a way to hawk my goods for global bike part domination. That really pisses me off. Communities are more than just consumers or sheep to fleece.

Its in my nature to be active, keep it open, maintain the conversation have a dialogue. I really don't relish trolling for hot new categories to maximize profit. It's hard to strike a balance to keep a presence here and on other lists/ forums/ blogs, etc all the while remaining employed, working on new products, doing the daily work at Velo Orange. And after that's done, go home, eat, roast coffee, brew beer, ride my bike, have a social life, play with my cat and sleep.

I'd like to see some clamp on downtube cable stops - preferably with adjusters. My bike has clamp on shifters, and I'd like to convert to STI.
http://img1.iwascoding.de/2/2009/10/...C7ECBAB156.jpg

Also, some pump pegs - like this.

http://i6.ebayimg.com/03/i/001/0c/35/4177_35.JPG

For less than $30 a piece.

Finally, I'd like a nice water bottle clamp. The one you have is ok, but there has got to be a more elegant solution.

I like VO, and have ordered stuff from you in the past.

Beech:

which racks were you interested in?

I wish somebody would make a set of replacement brake bolts for dual pivot brakes such as Ultegra 6600 that are long enough to permit mounting in a nutted application for older frames that don't have recess brake mounts.

How about some clamp on down-tube shifter bosses? I can't seem those anywhere...

Amen. :thumb:

Ones that fit the nice Dura Ace 10 speed shifters and available in a couple of downtube sizes...yum!

Tom-

I only recently discovered velo orange, but have been really impressed- your prices seem very fair and you have lots of cool items (have bought anything yet, but have bookmarked lots of things). Plus I love the atmosphere and the attitude.

Just wanted you to know I think you're doing a great job, too bad I live on the opposite coast, I'd love to work for you guys.

we are stocking Tektro R538's and R556's in nutted and recessed versions.
We looked into just selling the bolt but disassembling the entire brake and replacing the pivot bolt is a lot of work for most people, even for those who are mechanically gifted.

I would like to add my vote for a more Vintagy style Dynamo powered headlight. A modern dynamo headlight just ruins the look of a nice old bike.

I've grown to accept the current all black tires... and prices? Heck anything more than a dollar seems like too much these days!

Your prices seem like the current prices of things; some, like the racks are too much for me to consider, but that's me, not VO...

I'm glad you're doing what you're doing!