http://rant-your-head-off.com/WordPress/?p=2551 Always select Genuine Rant™ Brand. Everything else is just words. Tue, 07 Sep 2010 21:27:08 -0400 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 http://rant-your-head-off.com/WordPress/?p=2551#comment-47279 Jeff Fri, 05 Feb 2010 16:09:54 +0000 http://rant-your-head-off.com/WordPress/?p=2551#comment-47279 I think this is the first reprisal that is actually boldly proclaiming itself as a reprisal wrt Valverde: http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/tour-of-murcia-bars-italian-teams More than a pea shooter, but not a devastating bomb. None the less, it has started in earnest. Congratulations CAS, CoNI, UCI. Once again, well done....... http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/tour-of-murcia-bars-italian-teams

More than a pea shooter, but not a devastating bomb. None the less, it has started in earnest. Congratulations CAS, CoNI, UCI. Once again, well done…….]]> http://rant-your-head-off.com/WordPress/?p=2551#comment-47231 Rant Tue, 29 Dec 2009 12:48:31 +0000 http://rant-your-head-off.com/WordPress/?p=2551#comment-47231 Jean, Right you are. Never put all your eggs in one basket. As far as the public image goes, for the bigger consumer market, it won't matter much. For those who are cyclists, I think it will be a wash on balance -- at least over here. Not sure how it would play out in Europe, in terms of PR. Someone once said that all publicity is good publicity. In that contrarian point of view, it could even work out well for both sides.
Right you are. Never put all your eggs in one basket. As far as the public image goes, for the bigger consumer market, it won’t matter much. For those who are cyclists, I think it will be a wash on balance — at least over here. Not sure how it would play out in Europe, in terms of PR. Someone once said that all publicity is good publicity. In that contrarian point of view, it could even work out well for both sides.]]> http://rant-your-head-off.com/WordPress/?p=2551#comment-47226 Jean C Fri, 25 Dec 2009 13:21:30 +0000 http://rant-your-head-off.com/WordPress/?p=2551#comment-47226 Rant, As you point it correctly US bike market is not so huge as european market where Lemond has a good image, and a better image than Armstrong on older people (the more wealthy). So Trek would have had 2 master cards to sell bike in Europe, Lemond and Armstrong. Now they will have to pay 2 times, less profit and a big dedommagement to Lemond, and probably a bag public image if it's go on court. Never put your eggs in one basket when you have 2. As you point it correctly US bike market is not so huge as european market where Lemond has a good image, and a better image than Armstrong on older people (the more wealthy). So Trek would have had 2 master cards to sell bike in Europe, Lemond and Armstrong. Now they will have to pay 2 times, less profit and a big dedommagement to Lemond, and probably a bag public image if it’s go on court.

Never put your eggs in one basket when you have 2.]]> http://rant-your-head-off.com/WordPress/?p=2551#comment-47225 Rant Fri, 25 Dec 2009 02:52:33 +0000 http://rant-your-head-off.com/WordPress/?p=2551#comment-47225 Jean, The bike industry in the States has had its ups and downs. LeMond's brand was near extinction when Trek licensed his brand name, and after that, the brand recovered, at least somewhat. Remember, though, that most in the US don't follow cycling. It's not nearly as popular here as over in Europe. So for the average bike buying person, they see stories of LeMond and Armstrong going at each other and they get a negative impression of GL. That translates into lower sales in the shops. A number of friends who own shops tell me that after the first go-round between the two, sales of GL's brand dropped off precipitously. Why that happened is open to speculation. My point is, however, that GL's negative image is not just in the minds of those who you describe as "loving" doping. And, to be honest, I don't know anyone who favors doping -- even if they have differing opinions about who does and doesn't dope. On the other hand, Trek purchased a number of competitors in the 1990s and let those brands slowly die off. So in that sense, GL did way better than Gary Klein or Keith Bontrager -- though Bontrager's name at least still graces a few components sold on Trek bikes. But that's not to suggest that Trek, themselves, lived up to their end of the bargain, either. Seems to me there's blame to go around on both sides. Anyway, a Merry Christmas to you, Jeff and all the people who comment here. May 2010 be a good year for everyone.
The bike industry in the States has had its ups and downs. LeMond’s brand was near extinction when Trek licensed his brand name, and after that, the brand recovered, at least somewhat.

Remember, though, that most in the US don’t follow cycling. It’s not nearly as popular here as over in Europe. So for the average bike buying person, they see stories of LeMond and Armstrong going at each other and they get a negative impression of GL. That translates into lower sales in the shops. A number of friends who own shops tell me that after the first go-round between the two, sales of GL’s brand dropped off precipitously. Why that happened is open to speculation. My point is, however, that GL’s negative image is not just in the minds of those who you describe as “loving” doping. And, to be honest, I don’t know anyone who favors doping — even if they have differing opinions about who does and doesn’t dope.

On the other hand, Trek purchased a number of competitors in the 1990s and let those brands slowly die off. So in that sense, GL did way better than Gary Klein or Keith Bontrager — though Bontrager’s name at least still graces a few components sold on Trek bikes. But that’s not to suggest that Trek, themselves, lived up to their end of the bargain, either.

Seems to me there’s blame to go around on both sides.

Anyway, a Merry Christmas to you, Jeff and all the people who comment here. May 2010 be a good year for everyone.]]> http://rant-your-head-off.com/WordPress/?p=2551#comment-47223 Jeff Fri, 25 Dec 2009 00:41:44 +0000 http://rant-your-head-off.com/WordPress/?p=2551#comment-47223 LA/Trek were not needed to make LeMond at the retail bicycle level. Saint Gregory took care of that all by himself. http://rant-your-head-off.com/WordPress/?p=2551#comment-47221 Jean C Thu, 24 Dec 2009 22:59:12 +0000 http://rant-your-head-off.com/WordPress/?p=2551#comment-47221 Jeff, Lemond's name is only toxyc in USA because of the smearing campaign of Lance and Trek. If you had read the Trek-Lemond case, you would have understood that Greg did a supposition about Lance''s doping.
Lemond’s name is only toxyc in USA because of the smearing campaign of Lance and Trek.

If you had read the Trek-Lemond case, you would have understood that Greg did a supposition about Lance”s doping.]]> http://rant-your-head-off.com/WordPress/?p=2551#comment-47219 Jeff Thu, 24 Dec 2009 18:48:33 +0000 http://rant-your-head-off.com/WordPress/?p=2551#comment-47219 I appreciate LeMond for the rider he was, not the man. I'm not a LA fan. That seems to disprove your theory. The LeMond name is toxic (Rant says radioactive) for many bicycle retailers in the USA. It's not particularly debatable. LeMond bikes sold poorly when the were widely available and after Saint Greg starting making accusations he can't back up. As for a restoration of his "deserved fame", dream on. There is no current Astana doping affair. There are incomplete news reports of an investigation into the possibility.
The LeMond name is toxic (Rant says radioactive) for many bicycle retailers in the USA. It’s not particularly debatable. LeMond bikes sold poorly when the were widely available and after Saint Greg starting making accusations he can’t back up. As for a restoration of his “deserved fame”, dream on.

There is no current Astana doping affair. There are incomplete news reports of an investigation into the possibility.]]> http://rant-your-head-off.com/WordPress/?p=2551#comment-47218 Jean C Thu, 24 Dec 2009 09:56:20 +0000 http://rant-your-head-off.com/WordPress/?p=2551#comment-47218 Jeff, Lemond is an appreciate rider and man, everywhere outside Lance doping fan. His name is only toxic for people who loves doping. Hopefully the 2 current affairs should restore a part of his deserved fame. The current Astana doping affair should have some effects on the current case. Astana riders were using Trek bikes... if Lance is linked to one of the syringe, that would be the worst news for Trek.
Lemond is an appreciate rider and man, everywhere outside Lance doping fan.
His name is only toxic for people who loves doping.
Hopefully the 2 current affairs should restore a part of his deserved fame.

The current Astana doping affair should have some effects on the current case. Astana riders were using Trek bikes… if Lance is linked to one of the syringe, that would be the worst news for Trek.]]> http://rant-your-head-off.com/WordPress/?p=2551#comment-47216 Jeff Thu, 24 Dec 2009 01:14:22 +0000 http://rant-your-head-off.com/WordPress/?p=2551#comment-47216 Jean C, I’d put up a house payment that Rant is correct and the case will not settle. It takes both sides to agree in order for there be a settlement. From my point of view, LeMond values his soapbox above most else. As Rant pointed out, his bike brand is dead as his name has become toxic on a retail level. It’s less about business and more about other motivations for the saint of cycling. As for which side is ahead, it’s anyone’s guess. There are far too many unknown variables at play. Only the most clairvoyant would know with any sort of accuracy. Add to the fact that both sides have acted badly wrt various issues contained within the case. Not many tarot card readers are even venturing a guess, but you are free to read into it what you want via the various bike publications and web sources, or even have a go with some tea leaves.
I’d put up a house payment that Rant is correct and the case will not settle. It takes both sides to agree in order for there be a settlement. From my point of view, LeMond values his soapbox above most else. As Rant pointed out, his bike brand is dead as his name has become toxic on a retail level. It’s less about business and more about other motivations for the saint of cycling.

As for which side is ahead, it’s anyone’s guess. There are far too many unknown variables at play. Only the most clairvoyant would know with any sort of accuracy. Add to the fact that both sides have acted badly wrt various issues contained within the case. Not many tarot card readers are even venturing a guess, but you are free to read into it what you want via the various bike publications and web sources, or even have a go with some tea leaves.]]> http://rant-your-head-off.com/WordPress/?p=2551#comment-47213 Rant Wed, 23 Dec 2009 18:02:19 +0000 http://rant-your-head-off.com/WordPress/?p=2551#comment-47213 Jean, I'm not so certain that the Trek/LeMond case will get settled. I can imagine that Trek would probably like to settle out of court, but I'm no so sure that LeMond wants to settle. Since it takes both sides to agree on a settlement, I suspect that this case will go to court in the early part of 2010. As for needing Lance's money to help bury this case, while I'm sure that the folks at Trek wouldn't mind the donation to their "legal defense fund," I rather doubt that the would need Armstrong's financial assistance. I expect that when it goes to court, Trek will win on some issues and LeMond on others. On balance, LeMond will probably get some sort of payout when all is said and done. I have no idea how much, or whether it will even cover his legal expenses, but my guess is that Trek will write LeMond an check when the case is over. The bigger problem for LeMond is that his brand has been off the market for going on two years now. Before Trek licensed the LeMond name, his bicycle business was on shaky ground. He's going to have a hard time restarting the bike business -- assuming he wants to when this saga ends.
I’m not so certain that the Trek/LeMond case will get settled. I can imagine that Trek would probably like to settle out of court, but I’m no so sure that LeMond wants to settle. Since it takes both sides to agree on a settlement, I suspect that this case will go to court in the early part of 2010.

As for needing Lance’s money to help bury this case, while I’m sure that the folks at Trek wouldn’t mind the donation to their “legal defense fund,” I rather doubt that the would need Armstrong’s financial assistance.

I expect that when it goes to court, Trek will win on some issues and LeMond on others. On balance, LeMond will probably get some sort of payout when all is said and done. I have no idea how much, or whether it will even cover his legal expenses, but my guess is that Trek will write LeMond an check when the case is over.

The bigger problem for LeMond is that his brand has been off the market for going on two years now. Before Trek licensed the LeMond name, his bicycle business was on shaky ground. He’s going to have a hard time restarting the bike business — assuming he wants to when this saga ends.]]>