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Originally Posted by
Thylacine Cycles
Nick,
Sorry, a bit late to the party as usual.
I'm probably one of those 'no talent marketing types' that you referred to on a previous page (despite being neither), but I have a few questions.
Did I call someone a no talent in this thread? That wasn't nice was it. I am sorry.
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We have a model in our line-up called the Tephra CTi, of which the lower portion of the frame is Titanium and the top is tube-to-tube carbon. We have little or no reputation on the road scene so we've only sold a handful since we introduced the concept. It's a tough sell which is a pity because the frames ride great.
Who is building them?
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We contacted you in 2006 for help with these frames and you seemed keen, but then for whatever reason things didn't work out with working with you, which from my standpoint was a real pity.
Honestly, I think it was too early for me at the time. Mostly coupled with us being 2 hemispheres apart and still having to work with the metal fab guy and a painter? I didn't want to manage a project like that. I probably still don't. Project management isn't my thing.
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So I guess I was curious about what you thought about 'mixed media' frame design? You did a 'concept' frame with Jason Groves around about the same time - what did you learn from that? You mention you do sub-contract work for two other vendors - do you think that your expertise could be brought to the table for other companies wanting to add carbon in some form or another into their line-up?
There are pros and cons to mixed but the net on your CTi and what Jason and I did is this, it is totally covered by a US patent issued to Trek Bicycle corp. So why bother. I did a similar project(non patent infringing) with Dean, that was a sweet bike but was priced to high for the brand I guess.
At this point I am quite happy with full carbon and more interested in removing metal from what I currently have rather than add more.
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Finally, now that you're at, what, 60 frames a year, where do you see handmade carbon fiber going? Calfee is doing his bamboo thing - are you looking into other avenues, related niches....? How will you keep differentiating yourself from the mainstream carbon fiber companies?
I always thought it would grow. I thought there would be a dozen or more FT pro builders finding success with tube-to-tube full carbon construction by this point. I guess I was wrong. With carbon being nearly all production mid to high end, it is a bit confusing to me. I have some ideas on why that might be. Assuming it's lack knowledge or material availability, i'm gonna continue to help in this area as best I can.
I'll continue to differentiate by just being me and doing what I do. If I feel the need for drastic change because I can not be differentiated in the market, then I would suspect I have failed and would probably move on OR I have succeeded in helping create a monster and would probably still move on. I see neither any time soon.