Fall from grace

[REKIBorter]

For components I would say Pulstar with their hubs. Uncermoniously dumped by the trade after they cut corners and lowered the quality to make a bigger margin.

 

[perry]

Poor Saracen couldn't cut it when everything went jump and downhill at the end of the 90s . It's almost impossible to tell someone who doesn't know anything about bikes before that time that they were any good .

I'll throw Huffy , Haro and Mongoose in too .

 

[Dead Rats]

Saracen, a brand I have a soft spot for... great until about '98 (coincidentally when, as drystonepaul saged pointed out to me only today, the became Team Saracen)... then pants through the late '90s until, well, this year!

 

[kaytronika]

I quite like the look of the new Saracens.

 

[fingers]

Onza, or Diamond Back...

 

[Dead Rats]

I quite like the look of the new Saracens.

I think they look pretty dull appearance wise but in every other department they are meant to be good. Annnnnnnnnyway

 

[kaiser]

Why GT? I'm genuinely interested, not flaming or anything, I've been out of the game for years.
I like my '03 one TBH. It does the job, spec'd ok and looks good.

I'd say BITD GT were up there with Cannondale for innovation, always trying new designs and technologies. Definitely a desirable brand amongst its peers (Spesh, Dale,Kona ,Marin). Whereas now I don't really see them pushing the boundaries like they did and have been replaced at the top table(relatively speaking). I'd say these days its Specialized, Cannondale, Trek, Giant.

 

[kaytronika]

I'd say BITD GT were up there with Cannondale for innovation, always trying new designs and technologies. Definitely a desirable brand amongst its peers (Spesh, Dale,Kona ,Marin). Whereas now I don't really see them pushing the boundaries like they did and have been replaced at the top table(relatively speaking). I'd say these days its Specialized, Cannondale, Trek, Giant.

I can see what you mean, doubt we'll see another RTS out of them.
I also remember being excited at seeing my first LTS, doubt I could name their current FS bike.
I always thought 'Dorel Industries' sounded like the faceless corporation of a baddy to be honest.

 

[utahdog2003]

Which retro manufacturers fall from grace has been the harshest? Syncros? Ringle? Bontrager? Klein?

Has to be Klein. From pinnacle (no pun intended) aluminum manufacturer to nothing at all in the blink of Trek's eye. Even if you hate Klein you have to admit, from Adroit to Nill is THE epitome of 'fall from grace"! :shock:

 

[raveydavey]

Klein has to be the biggest one for me - I sold my Attitude Race in protest!!!
I forgot about Pulstar, they made some lovely stuff
and what happened to Fred Salmon?

finally this one will make you laugh/cry

when i was out on my retro kona the other day it caught this guy's eye. he turns to his mate and says something along the lines of,
'that's a nice looking bike'
the other guy says
'kona, yeah, you get them in halfords'

i really REALLY wish i hadn't heard the second guy!