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Why isn't there a German manufacturer of a road group set?

Posted: Wed Jul 09, 2014 12:57 pm
by Ahillock
This is not meant to turn into a nationalistic topic to debate. So please don't go there.

My question stems from some great advancements in road cycling that have come out of Germany. SRM power meter. Lightweight wheels. Just two companies that come to the top of my mind in terms of completely leading and changing the industry. Not to mention other industry leaders like ax-lightness and others. I can only think of a high quality German engineering producing a road group set. Maybe one day?

Why isn't there a German manufacturer of a road group set?

Posted: Wed Jul 09, 2014 12:57 pm
by Weenie

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Re: Why isn't there a German manufacturer of a road group se

Posted: Wed Jul 09, 2014 1:31 pm
by sawyer
Maybe someone will. Shimano own most of the market and are hard to go up against tho.

Some of the best composite tech comes from German companies so it could be interesting if mated to Di2 type reliability.

Re: Why isn't there a German manufacturer of a road group se

Posted: Wed Jul 09, 2014 1:54 pm
by gravity
Probably it cant be manufactured at a cost that could be competitive to the existing brands. Dont think "Design in Germany, Made in China" would sell. All of German offerings have always been a premium product at a premium price.

Also I think it will be a high entry barrier for this segments.

Re: Why isn't there a German manufacturer of a road group se

Posted: Wed Jul 09, 2014 2:01 pm
by Ahillock
True. But this is a sport and hobby where some people spend $3-6k on a set of wheels or $500 on a saddle. I think there would be riders willing to pay for a Germany made group set. I don't have any data to back that up, but plenty of people already do that with other components (paying a higher premium over other brands). Just an interesting thought that I had. I don't expect anything in the near future, but hopefully one day.

deleted the quote. please read this: viewtopic.php?f=7&t=126225

Re: Why isn't there a German manufacturer of a road group se

Posted: Wed Jul 09, 2014 3:02 pm
by wingguy
It's just a very difficult market to break into - more than anything else in cycling it's dominated by OE sales and Shimano and SRAM have got that tied up (and without so much history on their side I think even Camagnolo would be struggling as a company) - and SRAM only got their start through suing Shimano and receiving a sizeable investment and guarantee of a chunk of the OE market.

Re: Why isn't there a German manufacturer of a road group se

Posted: Wed Jul 09, 2014 3:19 pm
by prendrefeu
ACROS is German, and they have been working on a Road version of their hydraulic drivetrain group. A working prototype was on display at last year's EuroBike and InterBike.

Re: Why isn't there a German manufacturer of a road group se

Posted: Wed Jul 09, 2014 3:27 pm
by CBJ
Wasn't Sachs German before SRAM bought them?

Re: Why isn't there a German manufacturer of a road group se

Posted: Wed Jul 09, 2014 3:38 pm
by motormouth
prendrefeu wrote:ACROS is German, and they have been working on a Road version of their hydraulic drivetrain group. A working prototype was on display at last year's EuroBike and InterBike.


I was about to mention this too! ACROS' hydraulic system is my holy grail, what an awesome system.

Re: Why isn't there a German manufacturer of a road group se

Posted: Wed Jul 09, 2014 5:57 pm
by vdrey
The op asked about road groupsets, not mtn ones.

Re: Why isn't there a German manufacturer of a road group se

Posted: Wed Jul 09, 2014 10:59 pm
by tibikeboy
I think Sram, Shimano, and Campagnolo probably has their stuff patented. As a result, coming up with a new road group set, you have to design something different to avoid infringing on those patents, causing more R&D.

Re: Why isn't there a German manufacturer of a road group se

Posted: Thu Jul 10, 2014 2:59 am
by dereksmalls
Lightweight did their derraileurs briefly

Re: Why isn't there a German manufacturer of a road group se

Posted: Thu Jul 10, 2014 3:28 am
by grover
As said ACROS is going to launch a road group soon.

SRAM do most of their road design and R+D at their German office, that's probably the closest thing at the moment.

Re: Why isn't there a German manufacturer of a road group se

Posted: Thu Jul 10, 2014 4:30 am
by ichobi
Watch out for Rotor Hydro group coming this Eurobike. Lighter than Red 22.

Re: Why isn't there a German manufacturer of a road group se

Posted: Thu Jul 10, 2014 1:30 pm
by wheelsONfire
ichobi wrote:Watch out for Rotor Hydro group coming this Eurobike. Lighter than Red 22.


I am also curious on how Rotor can stand up to the big brands. Tiso had 12 speed electronic wireless but could not release it due to patents (my guess Sram is holding this).
Sad since the prototype was ready 2012.

Re: Why isn't there a German manufacturer of a road group se

Posted: Thu Jul 10, 2014 7:46 pm
by soracabana
Rohloff is on the way...

Re: Why isn't there a German manufacturer of a road group se

Posted: Thu Jul 10, 2014 7:46 pm
by Weenie

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Great Prices ✓    Broad Selection ✓    Worldwide Delivery ✓

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