Category: Bicycle Brands

2009 Bianchi Pinella steel frame

Richard MasonerSeptember 1, 200816 Comments on 2009 Bianchi Pinella steel frame

After a two year absence, it looks like Bianchi will reintroduce the Boron steel Pinella frameset in 2009.

I don’t have information on the 09 model, but the sub 3 pound Pinella has been among the lightest weight steel frames available. Though there are concerns with durability — the light weight comes from paper thin tubing — when built up the Pinella frame makes for a fantastic looking bike that handles well at high speeds. It will be available as shown in the classic Celeste color with black graphics.

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2009 Bianchi Vigorelli – Steel is real

Richard MasonerAugust 25, 200812 Comments on 2009 Bianchi Vigorelli – Steel is real

After a one year absence, Bianchi has reintroduced steel road bikes for 2009, including the nice Vigorelli.

09 Bianchi Vigorelli Ultegra 10 sp compact

The Bianchi people I’ve spoken with really like the 2009 Vigorelli steel road bike — the exact word used is “love,” and this bike built up with Reynolds 631 CrMo tubing and carbon fiber fork is indeed easy to love. Equipped with a mix of Shimano 105 and Ultegra 10 speed components with a compact crankset, the price I’ve heard is “under $1800.”

It’s good to see a decent steel road bike from a top tier bike vendor. 2009 will also see the return of the Imola (Tiagra 9 speed triple) and the entry level Brava (Sora 9 speed triple).

While Bianchi has a nice lineup of carbon fiber dream machines for 2009, higher prices on everything as well as renewed interest in steel among consumers will make the Vigorelli and their other steel bikes a good seller, I think.

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2009 Bianchi Pista – flat bars and brakes

Richard MasonerAugust 22, 20086 Comments on 2009 Bianchi Pista – flat bars and brakes

Bianchi will introduce a flat bar and brakes version of their popular Pista fixed gear bicycle.

Besides the handlebar, cabling and brake hardware, this is exactly the same bike as their regular Pista track bike. The ’09 Pista — both the brakeless and flat bar versions — will be available in blue, as shown here, and chrome.

Bike Hugger has some photos of the 2009 Bianchi Pista. I highlight some other 2009 Bianchi bicycles over at Commute By Bike.

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Collab: G-Star RAW + Cannondale

Richard MasonerJune 19, 20082 Comments on Collab: G-Star RAW + Cannondale

Cannondale introduced the Special Edition “RAW” bicycle last March as a special edition collaboration with fashion label G-Star RAW. The bike features what Cannondale calls a “no-scratch” finish, which is perfect for stacking your bike on the train. 8 speed Alfine 8-speed internal hub gearing, integrated lights, internal cable routing, disc brakes, HeadShok front suspension, fenders and chainguard complete the urban utility of the Cannondale RAW.

Bicycle Design’s James T talked with Cannondale designer chief Torgny Fjeldskaar about this bike last January — Click here for more. More details about the Cannondale RAW here. Orangutan Studio blogged about it and reminded me of this bike.

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Exclusive video: Cannondale ON urban folding bike

Richard MasonerMarch 13, 200818 Comments on Exclusive video: Cannondale ON urban folding bike

Last summer Cyclelicious reported on the Cannondale Jackknife folding bicycle. Cannondale announced that because of overwhelming interest from customers and the media, they decided to move forward from concept to reality with the production of the Cannondale ON bicycle.

Cyclelicious talked with Cannondale product manager Yngwie Malmsteen, who claimed the ON will fold to “fit a small carry on suitcase.” We were skeptical until Yngwie showed us this amazing video.

Find out more about the Cannondale ON urban bicycle (yes, it’s real) at Cannondale Community. Treehugger, via WIRED.

In other news, James reports that sales of “hybrid bikes” were up a healthy 6% in 2007 over the previous year. According to the research service he cites, “Consumers are taking to bikes like never before, and they’ve got good reason. The expense of maintaining, fueling and parking a car is making them think twice about all those short trips to the grocery store, and even the commute to work.” In spite of recession (or perhaps because of it?), “one sector of the economy that did surprisingly well in 2007 was bicycle sales.” Something that may take some wind out of that trend, though, is the news that prices are expected to increase this year on everything throughout the bike industry — from semi-finished product suppliers; component makers up to bike manufacturers. The prices are expected to be raised by at least 10 to 15%!

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Canada buys Cannondale, Sugoi

Richard MasonerFebruary 5, 20082 Comments on Canada buys Cannondale, Sugoi

Dorel acquires Cannondale – Two distinct bicycle divisions to be created

Possible move to Asian manufacturing?

Dorel Industries Inc announced the acquisition of Cannondale Bicycle Corporation of Bethel, CT. Dorel — which owns the U.S. based Pacific Cycles which in turn markets Schwinn, GT Bicycle, Mongoose, Pacific, Dyno, Murray, RoadMaster, PowerLite and InSTEP brands of bicycle products — also announced the creation of an Independent Bicycle Dealers division to differentiate the Cannondale and GT bikes from the mass merchant retail products that the other brands primarily focus on, with Cannondale the “crown jewel” of this new division. Sugoi Performance Apparel (which is already Canadian, but who’s paying attention) is also included in the purchase from the investment group that currently owns Cannondale and Sugoi. Pacific Cycles will be a stand alone division focusing on the mass merchant channel. The purchase price will be somewhere around US$200 million.

Dorel stated they are seeking acquisitions of of similar high quality, performance bicycle companies to join this new IBD group.

“Dorel recognizes that doing business with the IBD and mass merchant categories is two very different things and requires distinct strategies and specialized people selling the best products for those channels. We clearly realize this and are making the necessary adjustments to best meet the needs of our customers,” said Dorel President and CEO Martin Schwartz.

Cannondale’s insane foray into motorcycles bankrupted the company in 2003. After the sale of company assets in a bankruptcy auction, the company sold off its motorcycles operations and was able to turn itself around with a renewed focus on bicycle design and production.

Margins are signficantly higher than mass market bicycles, but Dorel also recognizes that dealing with the IBD channel is “vastly different” from the mass market. “We need to focus much more on quality and innovation,” said Schwartz. “Relationships and personal contact are much more important for the independent bike dealers.”

Cannondale’s manufacturing and assembly currently is done in the United States and Europe; Dorel’s management said they’ll look at how much to move to Asia. With Cannondale’s acquisition and the current business from GT, Dorel hopes to be the number three player in the IBD channel behind Trek and Giant.

Via; props also to Jennifer for the heads up.

Posted In Cannondale | news