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DailyBicycle.com by Oliver Carbonell Quick Q&A with Rob Roskopp of Santa Cruz Bicycles Shortly after Interbike 2010, the DailyBicycle reached out to Rob Roskopp, founder of Santa Cruz Bicycles. Here’s what Rob had to say about SCB. DailyBicycle: Fresh from this year’s Interbike, what were your general impressions of this year’s show? Any major new themes developing in the industry? Rob Roskopp: I  was only out for the Dirt Demo part, which turned out great for us. We brought 80 demo bikes out and were slammed both days. I only walked the show on the first day briefly because I had to get back for some other business, so I didn’t get a chance to see if there were any new themes. But from what my people said, basically I had seen everything months ago. So no real surprises. DailyBicycle: 80 bikes is a lot of bikes for a Demo… for our readers who aren’t familiar with Interbike’s demo program can you briefly explain what it is and how you think it ultimately impacts their experience at the local bike shop? Rob Roskopp: The Dirt Demo part of Interbike is for Dealers only, so it gives dealer’s a chance to come try out any of the new bikes we’re introducing. We only bring that many bikes to Interbike. Our actual Demo Tour takes about 30 bikes around the country to our various dealers and offers the public a try before they buy. This was our first year and it was a huge hit on every stop the Demo Tour made. On the weekend after Interbike there was a new demo event for the public called Outerbike in Moab. We took all 80 bikes straight from Interbike and got a lot of really great feedback. People appreciated us being there and our whole crew made it enjoyable for everyone that attended and the free beer didn’t hurt either! DailyBicycle: It seems SCB has been busy launching new bikes all year long. Every time I opened a bike mag, there was another model being introduced. It’s a good thing to have so many great options. Any new bikes launched at the show? Rob Roskopp: Yes, this has been the biggest year for SCB product launches. We’ve been wide open with R&D for the last two years. This year we introduced the new Nomad Carbon, V-10 Carbon and our new APP suspension platform. The Nickel and Butcher are our two new models using the APP system. I think the customer gets a lot of “Bang for there Buck” with these two new bikes. Basically you have the simplicity of the single pivot, coupled with the VPP shock rate which gives a great ride at a really competitive price. And next year we’ll have a few more surprises…..so it should be another exciting year! DailyBicycle: Sounds like a productive past couple of years for SCB. I’ve ridden the Blur and I have to say that the VPP is my all time fav full suspension platform… such a buttery smooth ride. As for new bikes, sounds like you have an APP for that! ;) Kidding aside, the APP platform sounds interesting. Can’t wait for the reviews to pour in. Among all the bikes SCB manufactures what’s your favorite ride? Rob Roskopp: I’m in a lucky position……I get to ride a lot of different bikes. My current rides are a Tallboy and a Nomad carbon. I spend most of my time on the Tallboy, mostly because that’s my XC bike and that is the type of riding I do 90% of the time. I spent last weekend up in NorthStar Tahoe riding the new V-10 carbon. We had a demo up there and Steve Peat, Greg Minnaar and Cedric Gracia came out for that and did some BikeSkills clinics. It was a great weekend of riding, especially since I don’t get to do much DH. We spent the last 2 years tweaking the V-10 and I was amazed at how much it has improved over the last generation. It’s a very intuitive ride… loves to be ridden hard. DailyBicycle: Mountain bikes aren’t exactly an impulse purchase. And when people decide to buy, there are many choices. With all the talk about a slow economic recovery, how’s SCB faring in terms of bike sales? Rob Roskopp: At the end of 2008 we got hit hard like everyone else. It was a hard time for all of us and we had to make some hard decisions and choices. But, we got through it and 09 ended up being a solid year for us. 2010 is shaping up nicely and it seems a good number of bike brands are doing well. DailyBicycle: Among the cross country, trail, all mountain and downhill bikes, which segment do you see growing significantly the next couple of years? Do you see any new styles of riding out there that could spawn a new type of mountain bike? Rob Roskopp: I think the trail bike market is the biggest segment currently and has the most potential for growth. The Mega Avalanche races in Europe are continuing to grow and grow…..so I see that racing style could become the most dominant in time. XC racing will always be where it’s at today because it’s not a spectator sport, it’s a participant sport. DH is growing again and in my opinion is the most fascinating to watch, especially with the competition being so close. The last two years have been very exciting to watch. DailyBicycle: Thanks Rob! Click here to check out Santa Cruz Bicycles Interbike 2010 Virtual Tradeshow booth as provided by the amazing folks at mtbr.com: http://bit.ly/dnBLXW Copyright 2010 DailyBicycle

DailyBicycle.com

by Oliver Carbonell

Quick Q&A with Rob Roskopp of Santa Cruz Bicycles

Shortly after Interbike 2010, the DailyBicycle reached out to Rob Roskopp, founder of Santa Cruz Bicycles. Here’s what Rob had to say about SCB.

DailyBicycle: Fresh from this year’s Interbike, what were your general impressions of this year’s show? Any major new themes developing in the industry?

Rob Roskopp: I  was only out for the Dirt Demo part, which turned out great for us. We brought 80 demo bikes out and were slammed both days. I only walked the show on the first day briefly because I had to get back for some other business, so I didn’t get a chance to see if there were any new themes. But from what my people said, basically I had seen everything months ago. So no real surprises.

DailyBicycle: 80 bikes is a lot of bikes for a Demo… for our readers who aren’t familiar with Interbike’s demo program can you briefly explain what it is and how you think it ultimately impacts their experience at the local bike shop?

Rob Roskopp: The Dirt Demo part of Interbike is for Dealers only, so it gives dealer’s a chance to come try out any of the new bikes we’re introducing. We only bring that many bikes to Interbike. Our actual Demo Tour takes about 30 bikes around the country to our various dealers and offers the public a try before they buy. This was our first year and it was a huge hit on every stop the Demo Tour made. On the weekend after Interbike there was a new demo event for the public called Outerbike in Moab. We took all 80 bikes straight from Interbike and got a lot of really great feedback. People appreciated us being there and our whole crew made it enjoyable for everyone that attended and the free beer didn’t hurt either!

DailyBicycle: It seems SCB has been busy launching new bikes all year long. Every time I opened a bike mag, there was another model being introduced. It’s a good thing to have so many great options. Any new bikes launched at the show?

Rob Roskopp: Yes, this has been the biggest year for SCB product launches. We’ve been wide open with R&D for the last two years. This year we introduced the new Nomad Carbon, V-10 Carbon and our new APP suspension platform. The Nickel and Butcher are our two new models using the APP system. I think the customer gets a lot of “Bang for there Buck” with these two new bikes. Basically you have the simplicity of the single pivot, coupled with the VPP shock rate which gives a great ride at a really competitive price. And next year we’ll have a few more surprises…..so it should be another exciting year!

DailyBicycle: Sounds like a productive past couple of years for SCB. I’ve ridden the Blur and I have to say that the VPP is my all time fav full suspension platform… such a buttery smooth ride. As for new bikes, sounds like you have an APP for that! ;) Kidding aside, the APP platform sounds interesting. Can’t wait for the reviews to pour in. Among all the bikes SCB manufactures what’s your favorite ride?

Rob Roskopp: I’m in a lucky position……I get to ride a lot of different bikes. My current rides are a Tallboy and a Nomad carbon. I spend most of my time on the Tallboy, mostly because that’s my XC bike and that is the type of riding I do 90% of the time. I spent last weekend up in NorthStar Tahoe riding the new V-10 carbon. We had a demo up there and Steve Peat, Greg Minnaar and Cedric Gracia came out for that and did some BikeSkills clinics. It was a great weekend of riding, especially since I don’t get to do much DH. We spent the last 2 years tweaking the V-10 and I was amazed at how much it has improved over the last generation. It’s a very intuitive ride… loves to be ridden hard.

DailyBicycle: Mountain bikes aren’t exactly an impulse purchase. And when people decide to buy, there are many choices. With all the talk about a slow economic recovery, how’s SCB faring in terms of bike sales?

Rob Roskopp: At the end of 2008 we got hit hard like everyone else. It was a hard time for all of us and we had to make some hard decisions and choices. But, we got through it and 09 ended up being a solid year for us. 2010 is shaping up nicely and it seems a good number of bike brands are doing well.

DailyBicycle: Among the cross country, trail, all mountain and downhill bikes, which segment do you see growing significantly the next couple of years? Do you see any new styles of riding out there that could spawn a new type of mountain bike?

Rob Roskopp: I think the trail bike market is the biggest segment currently and has the most potential for growth. The Mega Avalanche races in Europe are continuing to grow and grow…..so I see that racing style could become the most dominant in time. XC racing will always be where it’s at today because it’s not a spectator sport, it’s a participant sport. DH is growing again and in my opinion is the most fascinating to watch, especially with the competition being so close. The last two years have been very exciting to watch.

DailyBicycle: Thanks Rob!

Click here to check out Santa Cruz Bicycles Interbike 2010 Virtual Tradeshow booth as provided by the amazing folks at mtbr.com: http://bit.ly/dnBLXW

Copyright 2010 DailyBicycle

Posted 1 year ago
Tagged: Santa Cruz Bicycles, Santa Cruz Bikes, Rob Roskopp, Interbike 2010, interbike, Bikes, Mountain Bikes, Santa Cruz Nickel, Santa Cruz APP, .