VO getting a little bit "touchy"
04-23-10, 05:59 AM
#27
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Stronglight abandoned the 49D decades ago. In my view, it is more of an homage to the 49D. I'm glad VO is making 50.4 crankset and rings.
04-23-10, 06:11 AM
#28
Dropped
Was the Stronglight 49 D first or was that just a copy of another crank. Bike companies have been "borrowing" others designs since the first bike. The 50.4mm BCD 5 pin crankset has been around for decades and was copied by many companies. Similiar 50.4mm cranks include: TA Cyclotouriste, TA Criterium, Stronglight 49D, Nervar 631/633, Magistroni (cottered), Lambert, Sugino Pro Dynamic, Sugino PX, and the Shimano Deore FC-DE20/21/30/31. All used the similar 50.4mm arm to ring attachment and some had different ways to attach the other rings to each other. Most of the rings can be interchanged between different brands as well. Both the VO and Electra design can use original TA and Stronglight rings if one chooses.
TA or Stronglight isn't making them now so I have no problem with someone else doing it. TA still makes the rings for them, but not the cranks. They did a anniversary run and weren't a set of arms only a few hundred bucks! The Electra hubs were made thicker at the flanges because of the original's exploding flanges.
TA or Stronglight isn't making them now so I have no problem with someone else doing it. TA still makes the rings for them, but not the cranks. They did a anniversary run and weren't a set of arms only a few hundred bucks! The Electra hubs were made thicker at the flanges because of the original's exploding flanges.
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04-23-10, 08:31 AM
#31
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Another one that doesn't get it.
Supplying parts for building bikes in the classic French style is a specialty for VO. Those that get it understand that it's only natural for them to supply parts that resemble classic French parts.
It's not copying, it's an homage in the French sense of the word.
Supplying parts for building bikes in the classic French style is a specialty for VO. Those that get it understand that it's only natural for them to supply parts that resemble classic French parts.
It's not copying, it's an homage in the French sense of the word.
Last edited by Grand Bois; 04-23-10 at 08:45 AM.
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04-23-10, 08:50 AM
#32
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In addition their best selling frame is in the classic 90s japanese hybrid style, they have a ton of fixie supplies and I would highly doubt that even 1% of the products they sell are made in France.
There is a fine line between inspiration/passion/authenticity and pretentiousness/wannabe-ness...
04-23-10, 08:54 AM
#33
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“One morning you wake up, the girl is gone, the bikes are gone, all that's left behind is a pair of old tires and a tube of tubular glue, all squeezed out"
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04-23-10, 08:54 AM
#34
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What gets me is how some of the generally nice members of this forum become jerks when this subject comes up. There is no reason why these components should elicit replies that are worthy of a P&R discussion.
-Kurt
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04-23-10, 09:07 AM
#35
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The VO rack that I got for my Koga-Miyata looks terrific btw.
04-23-10, 09:33 AM
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Another one that doesn't get it.
Supplying parts for building bikes in the classic French style is a specialty for VO. Those that get it understand that it's only natural for them to supply parts that resemble classic French parts.
It's not copying, it's an homage in the French sense of the word.
Supplying parts for building bikes in the classic French style is a specialty for VO. Those that get it understand that it's only natural for them to supply parts that resemble classic French parts.
It's not copying, it's an homage in the French sense of the word.
Again, not that there isn't anything wrong with that, fast following seems to be part of their model and is a time-honored practice in the bicycle industry, but the part that some find ironic is that VO then turns around and complains when Electra appears to have perhaps ran the same game plan on VO.
But maybe I misunderstood what this thread was about. Me, I think most of their stuff is pretty decent, some of it is very nice, some of it is costume jewelry, just like most other vendor components.
04-23-10, 09:36 AM
#37
nice idea, poor execution
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Parts company sells parts. Don't like the parts? Don't like the company? Don't buy the parts.
04-23-10, 09:49 AM
#38
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I guess I misunderstood the drift of this thread. I thought the point was that it was ironic that VO snarks about Electra copying their designs when VO, by their admission and by your description, focuses on reproducing the other peoples designs, whether a direct knock-off, tribute, homage, etc. And what chaps some people in this is that some of the VO products bear a striking resemblance not just to the 50's french stuff, but to other current homage/tribute products.
Again, not that there isn't anything wrong with that, fast following seems to be part of their model and is a time-honored practice in the bicycle industry, but the part that some find ironic is that VO then turns around and complains when Electra appears to have perhaps ran the same game plan on VO.
But maybe I misunderstood what this thread was about. Me, I think most of their stuff is pretty decent, some of it is very nice, some of it is costume jewelry, just like most other vendor components.
Again, not that there isn't anything wrong with that, fast following seems to be part of their model and is a time-honored practice in the bicycle industry, but the part that some find ironic is that VO then turns around and complains when Electra appears to have perhaps ran the same game plan on VO.
But maybe I misunderstood what this thread was about. Me, I think most of their stuff is pretty decent, some of it is very nice, some of it is costume jewelry, just like most other vendor components.
04-23-10, 10:10 AM
#40
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The irony of that is that most of their parts will not fit classic French bikes...
In addition their best selling frame is in the classic 90s japanese hybrid style, they have a ton of fixie supplies and I would highly doubt that even 1% of the products they sell are made in France.
There is a fine line between inspiration/passion/authenticity and pretentiousness/wannabe-ness...
In addition their best selling frame is in the classic 90s japanese hybrid style, they have a ton of fixie supplies and I would highly doubt that even 1% of the products they sell are made in France.
There is a fine line between inspiration/passion/authenticity and pretentiousness/wannabe-ness...
2) I am assuming your comment is in regards to the Polyvalent frame? I will let you be the judge of what style it is, but I would argue that it's not a bad value.
3) How many companies buy parts that are made in france? They have/do sell parts that were manufactured in the USA.
4) So what if they sell fixie supplys? That is a genuine branch of the cycling world and they buy products too.
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04-23-10, 10:14 AM
#41
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Ditto. I saw the comment on the blog and was a bit shocked at first. At the same time I am glad that Chris has the fortitude to just say what he wants on his own companies blog. Maybe he is a bit miffed with Electra or maybe he genuinely feels his product is superior.
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04-23-10, 10:24 AM
#42
Unique Vintage Steel
Gentlemen, please keep a civil tone with each other. I really don't like having to put on my moderator/admin hat when in C&V, I have to do enough of that elsewhere on the site. Thank you.
04-23-10, 11:32 AM
#43
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However, I'll add that some of the useful product info I get from blogs, forums, etc, is the negative information that never makes it into ad-driven publications. That may help me make an informed decision about a product.
04-23-10, 01:31 PM
#45
Senior Member
People want classic looking parts that meet modern standards, company springs up to sell to those people.
Interest grows, other firms enter the now larger market.
Electra stakes out lower ground (generally) price and quality wise, VO makes claims about it's higher quality and lightly disparages the competitions product.
What are we confused about? Isn't this exactly how the free market works?
Interest grows, other firms enter the now larger market.
Electra stakes out lower ground (generally) price and quality wise, VO makes claims about it's higher quality and lightly disparages the competitions product.
What are we confused about? Isn't this exactly how the free market works?
04-23-10, 05:05 PM
#46
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too bad they didn't make the VO logo look more like the stronglight logo, I think it detracts a little from the cranks. I understand why they didn't go with something more like the TA, you could get stickers and make counterfeit cranks.
04-23-10, 05:55 PM
#47
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Love it or hate it, if I had $175 and the bike to put it on, I'd buy a set. I feel that the gearing is perfect for those that want to do distance or recreational rides.
04-23-10, 06:05 PM
#48
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redxj: "The 50.4mm BCD 5 pin crankset has been around for decades..." exactly. "TA or Stronglight isn't making them now so I have no problem with someone else doing it. " +100
04-23-10, 06:58 PM
#49
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I just set up my Fuji America with a 34/48 on the Sugino Mighty Tour. Fortunately, I had a spindle of the correct length to use this as a double. My first go is using a 11/30 8 speed cassette in the rear. This works pretty good, although the low gear is pretty low for unloaded riding around the DC area. I also find myself not needing the low ring a whole lot, but I'll get on it for some hills or if I'm just sort of ambling around a crowded/congested area. Similarly, I'm not on the 11/48 a whole bunch. I'm thinking something like a 12/28-27 might be perfect.
This is also my first experience friction shifting w/8 speeds since a long time ago on some MTB's and I'm finding it trouble free. Makes me want to try this w/a nine speed cassette, although I hate the idea that I have to get a nine speed chain.
This is also my first experience friction shifting w/8 speeds since a long time ago on some MTB's and I'm finding it trouble free. Makes me want to try this w/a nine speed cassette, although I hate the idea that I have to get a nine speed chain.
04-23-10, 07:50 PM
#50
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It's typical for a "touring double". Very effective if you don't expect your top end to be more than about 26-28 mph.
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