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Cant Climb

Cant Climb

Turbo Monkey
May 9, 2004
2,683
10
bizutch said:
you're kidding right?
The average joe shmo don't..now crap about Lopes personality. They know he stands on the top step of the podium, so they'll bu y what he rides.
You think Funn would be selling bars out the wazoo right now if Sam Hill was sporting Azonics?
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You wrong about Lopes and Easton. I can find 30 guys at my local trailhead (DH'rs, trail riders, xc racers) and i'd wager none of them bought easton handlebars because of Lopes. They buy them because of the price, weight, feel and reputation of Easton products. Of that 30 i'd bet 29 of them don't even know Easton sponsors Lopes.

As for Sam Hill, he has the attention of every grom racer in DH today. The impressionable youth , so there is value there for Funn.

But the other strong demographic in DH, old heads like me and you, we buy what we want and what we can and what works.....
 
norbar

norbar

KESSLER PROBLEM. Just cause
Jun 7, 2007
11,362
1,598
Warsaw :/
Cant Climb said:
But the other strong demographic in DH, old heads like me and you, we buy what we want and what we can and what works.....
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I think the oldheads were not supposed to be a target group for any pro sponsoring. You think too much as it is your own money and I think that the kids are a much bigger demographics now in ex. Biking.
 
gemini2k

gemini2k

Turbo Monkey
Jul 31, 2005
3,526
117
San Francisco
Cant Climb said:
They buy them because of the price, weight, feel and reputation of Easton products. Of that 30 i'd bet 29 of them don't even know Easton sponsors Lopes.
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Wow you just proved yourself wrong!! You think that easton has a great reputation because people have access to all the engineering data, know the fatigue lives, tensile strengths and such? No. Realistically reputation comes from visibility. Visibility comes from pro athletes using their products.
 
W

Winger

Monkey
Dec 9, 2003
138
0
Lopes is the man... he is one of the few americans we have that actually can represent us at the international level... quit hating
 
Cant Climb

Cant Climb

Turbo Monkey
May 9, 2004
2,683
10
gemini2k said:
Wow you just proved yourself wrong!! You think that easton has a great reputation because people have access to all the engineering data, know the fatigue lives, tensile strengths and such? No. Realistically reputation comes from visibility. Visibility comes from pro athletes using their products.
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I agree with you to a point.....but 99.9% of mtb'rs out there buying Easton bars don't know Lopes is sponsored by them. Most probably have heard his name but that's about it......they couldn't tell you what bike he rides, what bike he rode or really anything specific about his career.

One thing is for certain , Lopes is great at selling himself to companies. The value of that "sell" is debateable though.....Easton is an established brand at this point.

I'm done here. :monkey:
 
SPINTECK

SPINTECK

Turbo Monkey
Oct 16, 2005
1,370
0
abc
Lopes has done a lot of good for racers by staying in the sport and working sponsors. He is also an excellent racer, especially at his age- can't take those away from him.

He has pimped himself to the highest bidder, a company owned by Pacific I believe, and big business does what it does- use and abuse.

You guys know my feelings about giving back to the sport, the guy is one of the best racers ever, but I'm not sure what he has done for growing the sport or helping beginners. Improving elite racing doesn't necessarily equal growing the sport. But unlike old guys who have retired, I know training takes a lot his time, so I won't judge him yet.
 
bizutch

bizutch

Delicate CUSTOM flower
Dec 11, 2001
15,928
24
Over your shoulder whispering
It would be pretty neat if Lopes would use some of his influence and energy to put on a race to give back to the sport.

We all know what EC has done over the past few years to give back to the sport, particularly his grassroots sponsorship through ECD.

Anybody want to come forward and tout Lopes the benefactor and public humanitarian?
 
dirttastesgood

dirttastesgood

Turbo Monkey
Dec 12, 2006
1,517
0
CT
rosenamedpoop said:
Got that right! At the '04 National Champs, Lopes was chilling at the side of the 4x course getting ready for his qually. My good friend Drunk Koocher stumbled up to Lopes, shoved him, and started turning the adjuster knobs on his fork while offering friendly words of encouragement like "OOOOOhhhh big man B-Lo, sup tough guy? Think you're hot sh!t huh?"

Lopes, in an all too typical display premaddona-ism, just walked away looking disgusted. What a d!ck.
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hahahahahah. drunk koocher died 20 minutes later from a bike frame to the head
 
rosenamedpoop

rosenamedpoop

Turbo Monkey
Feb 27, 2004
1,284
0
just Santa Cruz...
dirttastesgood said:
hahahahahah. drunk koocher died 20 minutes later from a bike frame to the head
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No no, Drunk Koocher was very busy 20 minutes later, peeing off of a 20 foot cliff then losing his balance and falling off face first still peeing. Not joking. I had to hike down and help him back up.

Lopes was very wise to leave this one alone.
 
sayndesyn

sayndesyn

Turbo Monkey
Sep 24, 2004
2,212
0
Crying in the corner of a Refrigerator Box
That may be the funniest thing I have ever read on the internet.

rosenamedpoop said:
Got that right! At the '04 National Champs, Lopes was chilling at the side of the 4x course getting ready for his qually. My good friend Drunk Koocher stumbled up to Lopes, shoved him, and started turning the adjuster knobs on his fork while offering friendly words of encouragement like "OOOOOhhhh big man B-Lo, sup tough guy? Think you're hot sh!t huh?"

Lopes, in an all too typical display premaddona-ism, just walked away looking disgusted. What a d!ck.
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kidwoo

kidwoo

Artisanal Tweet Curator
Aug 25, 2003
42,146
13,340
Squirtin ketchup n' mustard on charred flesh
rosenamedpoop said:
No no, Drunk Koocher was very busy 20 minutes later, peeing off of a 20 foot cliff then losing his balance and falling off face first still peeing. Not joking. I had to hike down and help him back up.

Lopes was very wise to leave this one alone.
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Wait, so that was actually a true story?


I want to meet drunk koocher.

I think I may have found my first hero.
 
S

spookydave

Monkey
Sep 6, 2001
518
0
Orange County, CA
Time for him to race something with a throttle if you ask me. Like Pistol, I can see him behind the wheel of a Thropy Truck myself.

I only have one question for all the haters.

What have YOU done?
 
KavuRider

KavuRider

Turbo Monkey
Jan 30, 2006
2,565
4
CT
Yeah I don't get why people hate him.
He's driven to win...he's said that before.
Most athletes like that don't seem "friendly" or "approachable", but it doesn't make them bad people.
Good for him for stepping up and saying "yeah, I'm mad" at what happened, instead of all this closed door behind the scenes crap.
 
seth505

seth505

Monkey
Jun 9, 2006
519
0
CA
I would have dropped him for looking goofy when he dresses up to ride (yes I realize he wins). I don't get where people assume there is 'job security' in a SPORT like this...If you are that good or that marketable then you put the time in to meet with new companies and get a new paycheck. This is different because mx has more money...but say Stewart got dropped by Kawi, you don't think the other manufacturers would jump at that opportunity and pay him as much/more? If Lopes does it right then he'll get an equal or larger paycheck from another manufacturer.
 
jbogner

jbogner

Monkey
May 8, 2006
315
0
Fort Collins, CO
Regardless of the talent, wins, personality, marketing power, etc., firing a parting shot at a former sponsor isn't a great way to lure new sponsors in. I'd expect someone with the business sense of Lopes to be a bit smarter about the quotes he puts out there. Who wants to invest hundreds of thousands in sponsorship of a guy who, if you choose to go a different direction with sponsorship down the road, kills you in the press?

From a purely business perspective, maybe not the smartest move to put such negativity out there from the Lopes camp. It's OK to be bitter, but you've gotta keep the game face on for the sake of Lopes, Inc.
 
bizutch

bizutch

Delicate CUSTOM flower
Dec 11, 2001
15,928
24
Over your shoulder whispering
The last week in October is not exactly the best time to learn that you are out of a 6 figure deal. Most companies have already alloted their budgets for the coming season and "drafted" the riders they can fit in that budget, made offers, done signings, and moved on to selling bikes again.

For a guy like Lopes to find out right now, it would be the equivalent to a top pitcher like Kirt Schilling learning he didn't have a job the week before the trade deadline. Finding a team, squad or company with the budget to pay him even half his value is going to be a VERY tough sell this late in budget planning.

Does Lopes have an actual "agent"?
 
S

spookydave

Monkey
Sep 6, 2001
518
0
Orange County, CA
jbogner said:
Regardless of the talent, wins, personality, marketing power, etc., firing a parting shot at a former sponsor isn't a great way to lure new sponsors in. I'd expect someone with the business sense of Lopes to be a bit smarter about the quotes he puts out there. Who wants to invest hundreds of thousands in sponsorship of a guy who, if you choose to go a different direction with sponsorship down the road, kills you in the press?

From a purely business perspective, maybe not the smartest move to put such negativity out there from the Lopes camp. It's OK to be bitter, but you've gotta keep the game face on for the sake of Lopes, Inc.
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good points!
 
Huck Banzai

Huck Banzai

Turbo Monkey
May 8, 2005
2,523
23
Transitory
What negativity - a few words in a passing blog.

'corporate yahoos' - this is the extent of his 'parting shot' - (dont you love single quotes)

The guy OWNS; athletes at the top of mainstream sports are massively more arrogant, and have a ludicrous sense of entitlement but people still jock and defend them.

BL deserves what he earns, so what if he is (or isnt) a dick!

He sold PLENTY of GT's in his time, if you dont see that, you dont get marketing.
 
VMARTINEZ

VMARTINEZ

Monkey
May 23, 2005
303
18
Its part of his now master plan. He will go for the gold.
Restart an Old BMX brand(ELF) and then????
Maybe
Maybe NOT
 
deadatbirth

deadatbirth

Monkey
Aug 29, 2007
657
0
In a van down by the river
DylanDeanDesign said:
Heard some rumblings about that at the show... though didn't speak to BL directly. i am surprised to see BL off GT, he's been the face of the company for some time now... From his quote, sounds like it ended pretty bitterly (at least towards corporate heads). too bad. Nonetheless, BL will have a great '08 season no matter where he lands.

Let the Huffy sponsorship rumors begin again! ;)
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i heard Huffy is coming out w/ a 4" 4x bike and might sign Lopes within this week
 
S

spookydave

Monkey
Sep 6, 2001
518
0
Orange County, CA
kidwoo said:
No I just don't see any GTs.


Anywhere.:busted:
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The next time you go out to eat take a look out back. There will be a grip of them locked up back there. GT has over taken Motiv as the dishwasher's bike of choice.
Now out in front of my shop (across the street from a Home Depot) it is clear that Huffy is still the king ride of the day labors.
 
Zutroy

Zutroy

Turbo Monkey
Dec 9, 2004
2,443
0
Ventura,CA
Wow...Lopes emailed that rant out on Sponsorhouse too this morning......One thing to put it in a Blog....another to email it out.........

he also blogged it on SH.
 
no skid marks

no skid marks

Monkey
Jan 15, 2006
2,511
29
ACT Australia
I'm in two minds about it. I like the fact that he's spoken his mind and doesn't fear the corprate world. But I don't like people wingeing. Speaking the truth is one thing,having a cry about things not going your way is another. He's one of the best riders ever,I won't judge his personality,I've never met the guy.
 
F

FarkinRyan

Monkey
Dec 15, 2003
611
192
Pemberton, BC
For an athlete in Lopes' position, just how important is it to have a frame sponsor anyway? As far as I can see, he's one of the few riders in the industry with the profile and the results to make a season work without a "big name" bike sponsor backing him.

Realistically the 'dollars spent : advertising space given' ratio on a Lopes jersey probably works against him in a business sense anyway, most bike companies pay peanuts compared to what outside sponsors are willing to pay, yet still command a huge chunk of the advertising space on a jersey. Assuming he retains all of his other parts and clothing sponsorships why not just have team Lopes next year?

This isn't just a pie-in-the-sky idea either, there are plenty of guys in BMX who make do without frame sponsors just because bike companies can't afford what these guys command; Jamie Bestwick is one and Daniel Dhers another.
 
Transcend

Transcend

My Nuts Are Flat
Apr 18, 2002
18,040
3
Towing the party line.
FarkinRyan said:
For an athlete in Lopes' position, just how important is it to have a frame sponsor anyway? As far as I can see, he's one of the few riders in the industry with the profile and the results to make a season work without a "big name" bike sponsor backing him.

Realistically the 'dollars spent : advertising space given' ratio on a Lopes jersey probably works against him in a business sense anyway, most bike companies pay peanuts compared to what outside sponsors are willing to pay, yet still command a huge chunk of the advertising space on a jersey. Assuming he retains all of his other parts and clothing sponsorships why not just have team Lopes next year?

This isn't just a pie-in-the-sky idea either, there are plenty of guys in BMX who make do without frame sponsors just because bike companies can't afford what these guys command; Jamie Bestwick is one and Daniel Dhers another.
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I agree, Lopes can probably just find a frame sponsorship from whatever brand he best feels suits his needs and go about his business. However, I think it is about more than that. The mechanic, pit space, support vehicles etc were all taken care of by GT. Travel expenses, food etc were also all covered by GT as far as I know (could be wrong on this). This means his endorsement deals and side deals are pure profit, as the expensive part of racing an entire circuit is taken care of.

As for jersey space, Lopes and Cedric are among the few athletes who can get away with clothing with really no sponsors on it but one. (Oakley in this case).

BMX freestyle riders are usually paid an appearance fee and put up by the event promoters in many cases, obviously not the same as doing the world cups. Lopes does command a hefty appearance fee at other types of events though.
 
SylentK

SylentK

Turbo Monkey
Feb 25, 2004
2,307
862
coloRADo
You know, I'm a little disappointed in this thread. You guys made it sound all dramatic and ooohhh my gosh did you hear what Lopes said? and geez that guy is a jerk blah blah blah....Did you read the qoute from Transcend.com? Here I'll post it for you:

An obviously dissapointed Lopes posted this on his blog earlier today. "I guess winning the World Champs, World Cup series and being with the company for 7 years is not good enough. Some pretty lame excuses were given to me & if they would have just told me the truth I would have respected them more. I have been around too long & know way too many people for me not to hear news from others. That's what happends when you have a bunch of corporate yahoos who really don't get it. I do want to really thank Hans, Monkey, Steve Spencer, my teammates, the entire California office, and all the distributors who have supported me in the last couple years. I'm actually pretty happy in some ways and had some really good meetings with other companies who make some nice bikes."

Professionally speaking he's got a solid case. I think he's telling the truth, which from the sound of it, is more than what his former boss(es) did. That is what's unprofessional here. I'd be pissed too (mad, not drunk, to those not fluent in Amurrrican).

Speaking of drunk, I'll go back to drinking my Sheep Dip...
 
rosenamedpoop

rosenamedpoop

Turbo Monkey
Feb 27, 2004
1,284
0
just Santa Cruz...
SylentK said:
You know, I'm a little disappointed in this thread. You guys made it sound all dramatic and ooohhh my gosh did you hear what Lopes said? and geez that guy is a jerk blah blah blah....Did you read the qoute from Transcend.com? Here I'll post it for you:

An obviously dissapointed Lopes posted this on his blog earlier today. "I guess winning the World Champs, World Cup series and being with the company for 7 years is not good enough. Some pretty lame excuses were given to me & if they would have just told me the truth I would have respected them more. I have been around too long & know way too many people for me not to hear news from others. That's what happends when you have a bunch of corporate yahoos who really don't get it. I do want to really thank Hans, Monkey, Steve Spencer, my teammates, the entire California office, and all the distributors who have supported me in the last couple years. I'm actually pretty happy in some ways and had some really good meetings with other companies who make some nice bikes."

Professionally speaking he's got a solid case. I think he's telling the truth, which from the sound of it, is more than what his former boss(es) did. That is what's unprofessional here. I'd be pissed too (mad, not drunk, to those not fluent in Amurrrican).

Speaking of drunk, I'll go back to drinking my Sheep Dip...
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I agree man, Lopes is being way more diplomatic than he's being given credit for.
 
Tootrikky

Tootrikky

Monkey
Jul 31, 2003
772
0
Mount Vernon
I heard GT/Pacific led on a local pro (freeride) basically made some big promises for next season then flaked badly at Interbike.
I am guessing the Marketing Dept got in trouble w/ the book keepers or something of that nature.
 
1

1453

Monkey
Aug 20, 2007
813
0
down the road from Pleasure Point
thanks for the info, real info.


SylentK said:
You know, I'm a little disappointed in this thread. You guys made it sound all dramatic and ooohhh my gosh did you hear what Lopes said? and geez that guy is a jerk blah blah blah....Did you read the qoute from Transcend.com? Here I'll post it for you:

An obviously dissapointed Lopes posted this on his blog earlier today. "I guess winning the World Champs, World Cup series and being with the company for 7 years is not good enough. Some pretty lame excuses were given to me & if they would have just told me the truth I would have respected them more. I have been around too long & know way too many people for me not to hear news from others. That's what happends when you have a bunch of corporate yahoos who really don't get it. I do want to really thank Hans, Monkey, Steve Spencer, my teammates, the entire California office, and all the distributors who have supported me in the last couple years. I'm actually pretty happy in some ways and had some really good meetings with other companies who make some nice bikes."

Professionally speaking he's got a solid case. I think he's telling the truth, which from the sound of it, is more than what his former boss(es) did. That is what's unprofessional here. I'd be pissed too (mad, not drunk, to those not fluent in Amurrrican).

Speaking of drunk, I'll go back to drinking my Sheep Dip...
Click to expand...
 
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