A really fun part of these trips is seeing what's new at the show. Bike companies from all over the world display their newest and greatest. Manufacturers and factories show off what they can make. We usually find a few cool new products and at least one or two factories with new and interesting capabilities. We also get some great meals and do a little sightseeing. Alec is taking his bike for a 4-day trip through the mountains.
We'd like to ask, as before previous Taipei shows: what do you think we should look for? What products do you need - or just want - that are unavailable? Please bear in mind that these have to appeal to a fairly wide audience and should be the sort of thing that fits with the VO philosophy (no BMX, unicycle, MTB, etc parts).
I thought I'd add some thoughts on the various suggestions here:
- Lights- I don't really want to get VO into making much lighting stuff. It's a huge category that I'm not an expert in. Maybe in a couple of years, or if we hire some brilliant lighting engineer.
- Brass or plastic fenders- We have aluminum which is light and stainless which is tough. Brass is neither, so I can't see the attraction. I can see really good plastic fenders on off-pavement bikes, but not on road bikes--I'll keep thinking about this.
- Stems with integrated hangers- We could do this with the Grand Cru stems, even add knurled caps, but they would cost about $120. Worth it?
- PBP rims are sailing next week, along with almost everything else that's out of stock.
- Those new canti brakes will be here in about 4 weeks. You'll like them!
- Tires- We'll keep looking for new ones. There has been talk of a certain lower-end tire company looking to go high-end... possibilities.
- We have shifter mounts.
- We already stock a very nice seatpost in many sizes. I can raise the price to $50 if you like ;<)
- We looked into making really good freewheels and it would have been far too expensive for us. The Shimano models aren't all that bad.
- We are already working on a really nice new chainguard.
- Regarding full wrap fenders, ours are as long as is practical for most folks. Longer and you'll dent them riding off a curb and they won't work without a second front stay or rack attachment, which most of our customers don't want. But we still may make a longer version as a limited run in the future.
- Our existing Raid rims are much like MA-2s, just a bit wider for the wider tires now in vogue.
- I'm reluctant to make replacement forks because some folks will inevitably put them on unsuitable frames.