Sky, Bianchi, and SRAM 10

While reading an article in an industry publication, I came upon a quote from Sky Yaeger who is Bianchi's product manager that I couldn't help but to comment on.  Mainly because in my opinion, it's not completely true.  Here's her quote;

"None of us (product managers) would be stupid enough to spec anything on a road bike that didn't work as well as Shimano, so it's a given that in order for us to spec it, it has to be totally dialed."

I agree on the part that it's going to have to be completely dialed, but I have an issue with the first part of her statement.  You can look on just about any road bike from any manufacturer that's not a Campy equipped bike and you'll find parts such as cranksets, bottom brackets, chains, and brakes that are not Shimano.  I would make the argument that most do not work as well as the Shimano equivalent.  It's truly hard to beat the shifting performance of a Shimano drive train.  The fact of the matter is is that it's more a fiscal decision rather than overall performance.  There's really nothing wrong with this, it's just the way that it is.  Availability probably also factors in to the equation, but for the most part, it's an issue of profit margins. 

All of this being said, I'm interested in seeing the new SRAM 10 speed road components.  I hope that they're well thought out and of the highest quality.  I believe that competition breeds excellence.  I'm looking forward to it.

Comments

[John Satory]

This is true. They're supposed to have an Ultegra and a Dura Ace level groups out sometime in 2007. I think that overall, Campy stands to lose the most if the stuff works.

[uber]

i have heard that SRAM's road group is going to be competition level!
if it's anything like the SWEET X.O stuff, it should be right up there.
i don't think that the europeans will be taking to SRAM anytime soon for road components, but there should be some "non-traditional" US roadies that will love to put some SRAM on their road bike!