Last week Specialized and Darren Berrecloth announced that they would be parting ways after 13 years. A sneaky instagram video we posted reveals that Darren will now be riding for Canyon. Stay tuned to the site as we will reveal full details of Darren's new Rampage whip later today.
Yes but Claw is notorious for taking all the easiest lines down the mountain. It's basically just a flow trail of you put it together right. Should be fine.
That's the problem with kids these days. If a run doesn't contain a massive "Canyon gap" it's the "easy line. " Kids need to learn themselves something. Claw does some gnarly technical raw mountain lines.
guys, this didn't just happen right now. You don't pick up a sponsor in 3 days, this was probably being planned for at least a couple weeks, therefore he has probably gotten a feel for the Canyon.
That would’ve been too good to be true...still, that he’s signing with Canyon remains cool. The Torque is, like, the opposite of the new Demo and it seems like he’s glad to be with them. Happy days.
and you don't have to worry about selling kidneys either.
plus the torque looks fucking epic, incredible spec you wouldn't have to touch for a freeride bike. even with the SWorks demo i'd still fiddle around with some shit, high end parts, yeah sure, but they don't really all do what i'd like to do.
also isn't the torque still 26" if so, i'll be snatching one of those bad boys up as soon as they're available. they have either 195 or 210mm of travel and 26 inch wheels. FR heaven.
I gather Canyon wants to break into the North American Market now, so signing a big name like Darren Bearclaw into the mix will be like YT signing Cam Zink, and will enable them to set up shop with an entrepreneur similar to Zink who will play part in distribution and advertisement.
Good to see Darren with a fresh start none the less.
neh, it was just speculation which was created on another article, it might turn true, it might just turn into rumors, it would be sweet though.
Luneec, they are doing great on their hirings but i still think their AM bikes are too heavy, I need to purchase the top of the line strive or sprectral to have a bike that weights a mid price stumpjumper/enduro, that's why I havent pulled the trigger on one. Fabien is a big R&D guy, hopefully he brings this to the table and fix it.
I did a little googling and found this article from bike mag about Canyon coming to the states. Back from August but still valid? m.bikemag.com/industry-news/canyon-bikes usa-sales/
I am 47 and have been following the claw since he arrived on the scene....I think he's gonna step his game on the canyon bike...kill it buddy!...eat shit specialized!
Stoked to see DB on board with Canyon- now lets' see him tweak the strive platform to be more SX! Don't get too anxious about a North American debut. The strong dollar will make it hard to justify.
You think they don't know what's up? They have so much capital they could go direct and undercut the shit out of Canyon just to put them out of business.
I'm not so sure about that, I have seen the wizard behind the curtain.
First, they nearly went bankrupt in the early 2000's so they certainly don't have billions in cash stockpiled.
Secondly, I really don't believe the quality of revenue or so called 'capital' is truly there. Internally they are very hesitant to discuss financials, which is a red flag. Also they are private so are not held to stringent GAAP accounting standards. So-called capital is likely tied up in overvalued assets that are being depreciated unnecessarily long, overvalued obsolete inventory, etc. Have you ever talked to someone that has been employed there before? Are their salaries competitive? Is investment in IT infrastructure up-to-date?
Third, radical changes in business climates also exacerbate financial issues and tend to cull the herd.
To these last two points, yes, you and others may laugh that "oh no that could NEVER happen..." and its seems unlikely. However relatively recent business history would show otherwise. Investors and customers of Bernie Madoff, WorldCom, Enron, Lehman Brothers, Fannie Mae, and Freddie Mac for example would have thought it unthinkable for public multi-billion dollar firms to flounder, but they weren't laughing when they went bankrupt nearly overnight.
Third, Specialized core values would make it very difficult to just 'go direct and undercut the shit out of Canyon'. Especially with such a weak and unfocused CEO. Do you see how much shit Trek is getting for not even doing anything very different by allowing customers to click & ship to a local shop? There would be bike industry anarchy if Specialized just up and announced "we're going direct."
Fourth, Specialized business model, infrastructure, and investments would make it very difficult to shift their focus so quickly. Canyon and YT are the fast movers because they aren't tied to hundreds employees, entrenched distribution channels, committed assets, etc. To reference business outside of the industry again, GM is a prime example of an obese organization with huge financial problems once there was a disruption in the economy, markets, and industry.
Change is a-comin' to the bike industry. Hell, even some small parts I ordered off of Amazon are being shipped direct from factory in China! The problem is that the transition to adapt will be very difficult and risky for Specialized with great leadership and solid business practices. Unfortunately they have neither - weak unfocused leadership, incredible turnover, and extreme under-investment in key areas...
Do you really think Specialized are clueless to the direct sales model? I'm sure they've been planning for it for years.
Sure the switch is going to cause major upheaval in the bike industry, but it's already happened in many other industries already and it's inevitable. They have huge R&D investment, they make some of the best tires, shoes, saddles, clothing etc on the market. I bet the sales of those alone ecipse Canyons total sales. They'll probably buyout a percentage of their dealers as concept stores and offer subsidized servicing for Specialized bikes. They'll no doubt have permanent Demo bikes and the ability to try bikes for size.
The direct sales model will look very limited when you have those kind of options.
A like Canyon don't get me wrong but I personally think that this company and it's DH rig will not fit well with such a rider. The claw will snap that rear triangle...I hoped he would moved to knolly, scott or yt but apart from this I'm stoked that Darren is still in the game with a refresh.
It has almost identical suspension design as a YT Tues. It's an aggressive DH/FR bike. IT HAS 26 INCH F'IN WHEELS. It's alu, 195/210mm travel with flip chip. Built like a tank. What isn't to like? Oh did I mention it is species with a ccdb coil, rc team boxxer, awesome DT swiss wheelset, XO1 drivetrain, RS guide brakes and more, for the same price as an introductory Demo????
Kids and their lack of reading comprehension these days...
"In need of some diggers for rampage.
My crew bailed on me last minute.
If anybody's here holler at me"
seems like everyone is bailing on the Claw!
Luneec, they are doing great on their hirings but i still think their AM bikes are too heavy, I need to purchase the top of the line strive or sprectral to have a bike that weights a mid price stumpjumper/enduro, that's why I havent pulled the trigger on one. Fabien is a big R&D guy, hopefully he brings this to the table and fix it.
I don't care either way, just wondering how it goes out there.
m.bikemag.com/industry-news/canyon-bikes
usa-sales/
First, they nearly went bankrupt in the early 2000's so they certainly don't have billions in cash stockpiled.
Secondly, I really don't believe the quality of revenue or so called 'capital' is truly there. Internally they are very hesitant to discuss financials, which is a red flag. Also they are private so are not held to stringent GAAP accounting standards. So-called capital is likely tied up in overvalued assets that are being depreciated unnecessarily long, overvalued obsolete inventory, etc. Have you ever talked to someone that has been employed there before? Are their salaries competitive? Is investment in IT infrastructure up-to-date?
Third, radical changes in business climates also exacerbate financial issues and tend to cull the herd.
To these last two points, yes, you and others may laugh that "oh no that could NEVER happen..." and its seems unlikely. However relatively recent business history would show otherwise. Investors and customers of Bernie Madoff, WorldCom, Enron, Lehman Brothers, Fannie Mae, and Freddie Mac for example would have thought it unthinkable for public multi-billion dollar firms to flounder, but they weren't laughing when they went bankrupt nearly overnight.
Third, Specialized core values would make it very difficult to just 'go direct and undercut the shit out of Canyon'. Especially with such a weak and unfocused CEO. Do you see how much shit Trek is getting for not even doing anything very different by allowing customers to click & ship to a local shop? There would be bike industry anarchy if Specialized just up and announced "we're going direct."
Fourth, Specialized business model, infrastructure, and investments would make it very difficult to shift their focus so quickly. Canyon and YT are the fast movers because they aren't tied to hundreds employees, entrenched distribution channels, committed assets, etc. To reference business outside of the industry again, GM is a prime example of an obese organization with huge financial problems once there was a disruption in the economy, markets, and industry.
Change is a-comin' to the bike industry. Hell, even some small parts I ordered off of Amazon are being shipped direct from factory in China! The problem is that the transition to adapt will be very difficult and risky for Specialized with great leadership and solid business practices. Unfortunately they have neither - weak unfocused leadership, incredible turnover, and extreme under-investment in key areas...
Sure the switch is going to cause major upheaval in the bike industry, but it's already happened in many other industries already and it's inevitable. They have huge R&D investment, they make some of the best tires, shoes, saddles, clothing etc on the market. I bet the sales of those alone ecipse Canyons total sales. They'll probably buyout a percentage of their dealers as concept stores and offer subsidized servicing for Specialized bikes. They'll no doubt have permanent Demo bikes and the ability to try bikes for size.
The direct sales model will look very limited when you have those kind of options.
-Cam Zink - Darren B - Kyle Strait...