Pacific is screwing GT/Schwinn race squads [Archive]

RideMonkey

10-01-2001, 11:41 AM

From Velo News:

Another indication that Pacific's support of racing will be slim or none came last week when riders and staff of the existing Schwinn and GT squads (approximately 60 people) were informed they would not be receiving their final-quarter paychecks. This is completely within the rules following the purchase of a company that's declared bankruptcy, but still came as a surprise to some of the riders.

Downhiller Steve Peat was reportedly the hardest hit, with Pacific opting not to pay him nearly $70,000 that would have been owed him if Schwinn/GT had not filed for bankruptcy. Overall World Cup dual champion Leigh Donovan was owed about $25,000 that she won't be receiving, and Alison Dunlap won't be getting her bonus for her win at the world championships in Vail.

If you love the sport of Mountain Biking, do not buy a bike from Pacific!! This includes GT and Schwinn brands!!

RideMonkey

10-01-2001, 11:49 AM

Time to show Pacific the power of the Internet. Spread the word. As RM grows, more and more people will see this thread. Maybe one day we can force them to pay these racers what they are owed!!

AND DONT JUST LOOK AT THIS THREAD, SAY A WORD OR TWO ABOUT WHAT YOU THINK!

Heidi

10-01-2001, 11:51 AM

Anyone know of someone we can email or send a letter to regarding our disapproval of the treatment of the sponsored riders?:confused:

Damn True

10-01-2001, 11:59 AM

now, or ever buy a Schwinn or GT bike.

mikec918

10-01-2001, 12:04 PM

You can Write or Email then but I daught they will really care. Pacific more then likely bought Schwin and GT for the name only. Expect them to close what little USA facilties Schwin and GT had and to only continue importing the lower end models. Of course with a few changes to bring down the quality to just over Huffy.

You Don't need to have a race team when your competing against Huffy and Murray at Walmart.

RideMonkey

10-01-2001, 12:07 PM

I'd also like to point out that the World Championships at Vail took place less than a week after the WTC attacks. It was just so amazing to see the world to come together for peaceful competition during such a sad and tragic time. Being there was one of the best experiences of my life.

Can you think of any other time when America needed victories more than it did after the attacks? We had heroes out there giving us those victories. And Allison Dunlap won't be paid for her Gold medal in the XC???? Heres a great big **** you America straight from Pacific!!!!!!

Heidi

10-01-2001, 12:09 PM

Originally posted by ridemonkey
I'd also like to point out that the World Championships at Vail took place less than a week after the WTC attacks. It was just so amazing to see the world to come together for peaceful competition during such a sad and tragic time. Being there was one of the best experiences of my life.

Can you think of any other time when America needed victories more than it did after the attacks? We had heroes out there giving us those victories. And Allison Dunlap won't be paid for her Gold medal in the XC???? Heres a great big **** you America straight from Pacific!!!!!!

Bin Pacific?
Pacific Laden?

I agree, I was moved after reading the article in the new VeloNews about the beauty of the Worlds - a bunch of cyclists coming together.

Joe Pozer

10-01-2001, 12:12 PM

Originally posted by Acadian
I feel like a dick now with all my GT bikes :(

You bought your bikes when GT was a great company...
It's a shame to see it being destroyed in such a manner by a crappy company.

What dicks not paying the racing staff...These guys and gals have been training and racing their butts off and they get shafted.

Damn True

10-01-2001, 12:20 PM

Is probably sitting with his feet up. A Guiness in one hand and a cordless phone in the other. Question is, who is he talking to?

Intense?
Brett Foes?
Chumba? (Shaums is out for a while)
Cortina?

hmmmm........

wonder where Lopes will wind up?

kitchenware

10-01-2001, 12:40 PM

No racing team = No race tested inovations.

Their bikes will not evolve (or will evolve poorly) and will surely become extinct without the racers and teams.

On a side note, looks like some of the local Trek team here in Boulder got new cars. I've seen two brand new Trek/VW Jettas in the last couple of days, one at a house where an older Trek/VW used to be parked.

BMXman

10-01-2001, 12:58 PM

Originally posted by Damn True
Is probably sitting with his feet up. A Guiness in one hand and a cordless phone in the other. Question is, who is he talking to?

Intense?
Brett Foes?
Chumba? (Shaums is out for a while)
Cortina?

hmmmm........

wonder where Lopes will wind up?

I have heard that Giant is making big moves to secure Peat for next season. Time will tell. D

BMXman

10-01-2001, 01:01 PM

Originally posted by Acadian
Like I said...I love my GT I-Drives...I will ride them until they break, but I will never by another GT bike again. I've been riding GT bikes for like 13 years! This year was the first time I ever bought a bike other than GT (my Planet-X), but that is about to change....I guess change is good sometimes :think:

"CORTINA" Just in case you were wondering.:D D

BMXman

10-01-2001, 01:03 PM

Originally posted by Acadian
WOW...where did you get this rumor from?

I have been sworn to secrecy...I will tell you in person when I get there I'm betting on Giant though. My friends and I have a pot going. Care to join? D

BMXman

10-01-2001, 01:10 PM

Originally posted by Acadian
cool....I'll pass on the betting, I suck at that type of stuff...always end up loosing and did I ever told you I'm a bad looser ;)

I don't think anyone I know is a good loser:think: D

-BB-

10-01-2001, 01:20 PM

MtnBikerChk

10-01-2001, 01:58 PM

That sucks. Glad I didn't buy one.

MuDHoG

10-01-2001, 02:38 PM

yeah if the treatment of thier riders is this crappy I can just imagine what kinda junk they're gonna pump out for the public to buy!!!!!!!!! what a shame, as with acadian the two bikes I do own are GT..what a shame :(

Damn True

10-01-2001, 02:50 PM

Originally posted by MuDHoG
yeah if the treatment of thier riders is this crappy I can just imagine what kinda junk they're gonna pump out for the public to buy!!!!!!!!! what a shame, as with acadian the two bikes I do own are GT..what a shame :(

Imagine being an employee. Pumping yourself into the design of a product that you take pride in and ownership of. To help in developing the brand identity to have it taken to the lowest common denominator.

buttychunkster

10-01-2001, 03:49 PM

acadian and mudhog...Im with you...GT since the beginning..I even worked for the distributor down here until I got made redundant (duh!)..its a shame true but the company they are now is not the company they were then RIP..

Joe Pozer

10-01-2001, 04:05 PM

Originally posted by Acadian
yeah...that is why I'm gonna keep on riding my current GT bikes and keep my head high! Man I just hope I can get spare parts for this upcoming racing season!

I don't own a GT myself but I've heard and read many good reviews on the I-drive system. I would be surprised if someone didn't buy the rights to build a similar system.

BMXman

10-01-2001, 07:26 PM

Originally posted by Acadian
yeah...that is why I'm gonna keep on riding my current GT bikes and keep my head high! Man I just hope I can get spare parts for this upcoming racing season!

As soon as it breaks...and it will...Charlie has a brand new....dare I say it....Cortina ....waiting just for you.:rolleyes:

Utom51

10-01-2001, 07:42 PM

Just covered all Schwinn decals on my Moab with red tape. Looks good.

skiba

10-01-2001, 09:17 PM

this blows, gt made a great bike, i never owned one but plenty of my friends have them, schwins also, the new straight 8 was a pretty nice bike, just as they whip out something cool everything goes to hell. murphy;s law sucks (at least i think it applies in this situation, correct me if im wrong)

Babar

10-01-2001, 10:09 PM

All the bike ive owned was GT, Im riding GT Zaskar X... now i have no pride in my bike but just shame....

All the kids will laugh at me for riding a pacific...

Future doesn't look very good.:crying:

Im going sleep too depressed...

vernon

10-02-2001, 01:45 AM

arrrgh, I just bought my GT about 2 months ago....

Hope Peat finds sponsopship with a great team.....it sucks that he won't be paid, according to the rumour.....:confused:

spincrazy

10-02-2001, 03:05 AM

Ah GT. Seems everyone is most upset about them. I too am a GT fan, or shall I say was.

When Mongoose was bought and and sold to the masses was the response similar? It seems like we should be able to at least
INFLUENCE somebody over at that slum lord of a bicycle company (Pacifier) to do the right things...................alas.

I'm not even sure what bikes to dream about buying now......

DaveW

10-02-2001, 03:50 AM

Well once again my theory on how the big company's work is sadly proven correct once more.
that the only way companys get big is buy playing mean nasty and dirty.
"So to the pacific crowd I say up your's C**t .":angryfire
I only buy from the small guy's these day's, any way 90% of the time it's the small guy's that come up with the inovative idea's the improve the breed so to speak.
:angryfire :crying:

Joe Pozer

10-02-2001, 10:26 AM

Originally posted by Acadian
from Mountainbikedaily.com

"We will honor the warranty on past bikes. Technically and legally, we are not obligated, but it's academic. We will honor the warranties."

Well, at least that's somewhat good news....They'll honor the warranties...

Joe Pozer

10-02-2001, 10:46 AM

Originally posted by Acadian
yeah but what does it really mean? When my $3500 Team frame breaks...they will replace it with a $500 bike ;)

Good point...

I've seen guys riding Pacific bikes with dual crown forks around here...I'm sure they make great downhill bikes...:rolleyes:

Captain Cogset

10-03-2001, 04:54 PM

Pacific is screwing everyone, racers, current GT and Schwinn owners, and bike shops that have been carrying GT and Schwinn for years. Any self respecting mountain biker should steer clear of GT, Schwinn, Mongoose, and especially those dual crown Pacific bikes.

Heidi

10-03-2001, 04:55 PM

Originally posted by Captain Cogset
Pacific is screwing everyone, racers, current GT and Schwinn owners, and bike shops that have been carrying GT and Schwinn for years. Any self respecting mountain biker should steer clear of GT, Schwinn, Mongoose, and especially those dual crown Pacific bikes.

Hey, I know you!!!!:love:

dsgnomite

10-10-2001, 10:56 AM

Maybe we can get the CEO out for a ride, then a little mob style blanket party, if you know what I mean. However, I did see a pic somewhere with Peat at Interbike, and was hanging with Global....maybe...?

LPARK

10-24-2001, 01:13 PM

Hearing that big team sponsored riders will not be
paid for their outstanding performance by their so called big name sponsors is extremely disappointing. Most of us are aware that these competitors would strive toward excellence in their own performance beyond the fact of simple compensation by their sponsors; BUT the fact remains that the companies would not be what they are, without these riders and the valueable input they provide.

This is really a ridiculous blow in light of some other bike companies pulling out of pro/sponsored DH racing, refering to the big S of course. Luckily it is nice to see that the big T is getting the program started again.

I sincerely hope that the industry will wake up and realize that success as a bike company does not come with size, volume, and sales numbers alone. It comes with their dedication to good products, loyalty to the sport (their teams), and most of all listening to people like us, the riders/supporter of the sport of mountain biking.

Thanks to RM for the opportunity to put some word on paper. RGDS LPARK

Gutty

11-12-2001, 05:39 PM

Pacific did not buy a race team. They bought some designs, some patents and two names. I know you will all hate me for this but it is the very sad fact.
Lets say no one bought Schwinn/GT. What would we have? No race team, no GT, no Schwinn. Who would you abuse then?
As i have said to someone else on this board already, Vegemite was bought out by a U.S company that sacked half the workers(alot more than 60). Should i now bouycot Vegemite? No way. I was born and bread on that stuff.
I know i would hate it if i was under contract and the owner pulled out leaving me short, but in this case the owner went broke. Pacific did not sign up any riders.

I know i'll cop it for this but i stand behind what i think is right and wrong, and although Pacific may not be right in all they do,
they are deffinately not bad or evil just because they bought a dieing/dead company.

left coast punk

11-15-2001, 09:49 AM

Of course it is pretty lame for them not to pay the riders, but what if. . . no one had bought Schwinn/GT, and it just folded, the riders wouldn't have gotten any money that way either. You must remember that the owners of Pacific don't give a rats ass about cycling, they just want to make money. They are in it for money, and if they can save some, they will.
Who knows the future for GT and Schwinn, they may be in department stores in a few years, but then again, they might carry on making smoking bikes. At least they now have a chance.

Espen

12-07-2001, 02:53 PM

It`s a shame!! Pacific sucks! They`re gonna ruin a great company with great products and a great history. This is really really bad!!

NRSracer

12-10-2001, 10:51 AM

does this boycott include clearance models?

dump

12-12-2001, 01:32 AM

Originally posted by Acadian
read this on MTB daily this monring..

Pacific Retains Two Key GT Employees
With a smell of hope in the air, word came down this week from Pacific Cycle's Richard Wittenberg that former GT product development gurus Barry Burke and Mark Peterman have been hired on as Pacific employees for the long haul. Both Burke and Peterman had been contracted after the Schwinn/GT layoffs to aid Pacific with the development of the GT line during the ownership transition, but were slated to be on their own in 2003. The two will reportedly be setting up a So-Cal design office in Orange County California later this month, but the intentions of the facility at this point are unclear. More as information becomes available.

it would be nice to see these guys set up a design shop... that would rock... i'm sure they have a bunch of ideas up their sleeve... they probably foresaw much of this, so i assume they held back on some goodies.

- dump

edoz

12-12-2001, 11:44 AM

I think that it will be very hard for them to overcome rejection by bike shops. I've seen several Schwinn or GT dealers just replace the lines with something else. Many would see selling GT, even high-end GTs as lining the pockets of the enemy. Any sales that they make would profit Pacific and, well Huffy makes high-end BMX frames, but can you think of a bike shop that sells them? I mean, who would buy a 600$ carbon fiber BMX frame that said Huffy?

Around here, though, the demise of GT\Schwinn has been a good thing for Rocky Mountain and Kona as dealers in the area have picked up both brands. It's just my opinion, but I think GT\Schwinn will be the same laughing stock that Mongoose is, despite all their 3000$ titanium bikes.

psylo

12-17-2001, 11:54 PM

What they did to the teams is just wrong. That is really lame.

Gutty

12-18-2001, 02:45 PM

Originally posted by espen
It`s a shame!! Pacific sucks! They`re gonna ruin a great company with great products and a great history. This is really really bad!!

Are you serious :confused: "They're gonna ruin a great company" Have a think about what you say before you shoot your mouth off. Pacific didn't ruin Schwinn/GT. Schwinn/GT was already ruined,dead,broke,bust......need i go on ???

Probably a bad example but it's kinda like saying some one's gonna bomb the WTC.......too late it's already gone. Just like Schwinn/GT.

JimmyPistons

12-18-2001, 09:02 PM

It truly does suck that after all teh hard work that those riders put into kickin some but they got shafted by the new managment,
sounds like a job I had once.

Mr. ShockWave

01-14-2002, 09:42 AM

Steve Peat will be on a personal sponsorship for 2002 with an Orange 222 bike.
and Brian Lopen will continu his personal sponsorship with GT for 2002 as he will only does dual/4X does needing ony an hard tail and an "low budget" FS

Rocket

01-14-2002, 01:40 PM

You don't gotta tell me... I have 3 high end homegrowns, a rocket 88 and a phantom (and 2 old school predators). This buy out blows! I still love my bikes but like many of the GT owners here it Stings a little.

Gutty

01-14-2002, 02:23 PM

Originally posted by JimmyPistons
It truly does suck that after all teh hard work that those riders put into kickin some but they got shafted by the new managment,
sounds like a job I had once.

Ummm....shafted by OLD managment no:confused: :confused:

edoz

01-14-2002, 06:18 PM

Originally posted by Gutty

Are you serious :confused: "They're gonna ruin a great company" Have a think about what you say before you shoot your mouth off. Pacific didn't ruin Schwinn/GT. Schwinn/GT was already ruined,dead,broke,bust......need i go on ???

They may have had financial troubles, but they still had a great reputation for quality bikes. What everyone is saying is that Pacific is going to ruin the name by putting out crap with the Schwinn or GT name on it.

Rocket

01-15-2002, 04:56 AM

We are/were a dealer for schwinn... I am pretty sure that the deal is like this: Schwinn will be taken into the department stores and they will also try to keep their dealer network moving the bikes as well. It is still up in the air as to GT. There is some speculation that they will try to keep the GT name for their high end market. But most likely they have learned from their mongoose failure and will pack them both in the 12-pack express. (12-pack express is our local way of making fun of the guys riding the pink huffies and soon to be schwinns that have obviously lost their license due to drunk driving... usually they are riding a girls bike)

SwitchbladeWD

01-28-2002, 05:36 PM

We can all write in to Pacific, jump up and down, scream and yell, but guess what? They don't give a $#!+..... We aren't in their market segment because we don't shop for bikes at Sam's Club (yes, they are already there!). The folks that do buy bikes at Sam's couldn't care less about some guy not getting paid tens of thousands of dollars for racing a bike because they haven't a clue what it took to EARN the cash. Pacific is in the business of selling bikes and they are pretty good at it. They know their market and make decisions accordingly. It sucks, but that's the reality of it. The people that I blame are the managers at GT/Schwinn that allowed the company to go bust. I think one of the big problems in the MTB industry today is that there are too many people running companies that have little to no business sense.
Enough business to keep the bills paid mixed with enough passion to keep it fresh is what it takes. There are some out there.......

Off my soapbox now, pardon my rant.:mad:

Gutty

01-29-2002, 02:42 PM

O.k everyone who has read this yhread knows my feelings so i wont ramble again but i do think you should all read this.

Taken from an interview with Leigh Donovan in Freewheel magazine. It would seem that if anyone is to blame it's the legal system.

crono35

02-17-2002, 01:27 AM

I still remember the first bike i bought coz i wanted to bike... it was a wal-mart mongoose full suspension bike. I'd heard of mongoose before and knew they were a great brand, and figured it was just my luck that they were sellin their bikes cheap.

Get the word out to kids- let them know what they're buying. Heck, it wasn't until 5 months later that i saw the brunswick sticker on the bottom of the BB shell. :D

freightGOD

02-17-2002, 09:23 AM

Originally posted by RideMonkey
Time to show Pacific the power of the Internet. Spread the word. As RM grows, more and more people will see this thread. Maybe one day we can force them to pay these racers what they are owed!!

AND DONT JUST LOOK AT THIS THREAD, SAY A WORD OR TWO ABOUT WHAT YOU THINK!

I really hate to see this happening. Schwinn was my first bike, and I have very fond memories of that bike. I think the racers should be paid what they earned while basically promoting the brand in National/International competition. This sucks in a major way. Pacific will NEVER be able to count me a one of their customers, that's a fact!

MuDHoG

02-18-2002, 04:06 PM

interview in this months MTBAction seems to have found lopez not to soured and moving on, haven't heard much about the rest of the team though.

MuDHoG

02-18-2002, 04:09 PM

Originally posted by edoz

They may have had financial troubles, but they still had a great reputation for quality bikes. What everyone is saying is that Pacific is going to ruin the name by putting out crap with the Schwinn or GT name on it.

have to agree dude always a great bike and a great rep.....from what I hear GT is going to become a walmart, costco bike, Pacific plans to slash quality and price for quantity and volume, it's a sad sight. Norco and schwinn and mongoose have been there before though and seem to have bounced back.

hannabrenkmyleg

04-04-2002, 07:04 PM

It seems there nothing can can be done to make pacific accountable to the squads. They ARE gonna decrease into the quality of both the brands, in favor of moving more units. Even though they were not contractually obligated to pay-off the teams, they should have reached some "middle-ground" to keep whats left of the brands they bought in good graces. I for one will never buy a GT, again, or a schwinn ever....even though some great bikes are now on fire sales in the 'zines. But I will write a scathing letter to Sams Club or whoever sells the bikes, and inform them of the level of integrity of their vendor.......thats where you influence, not at the corporate level, but at the point of sale. Retail outlets hate having people pissed at them.......Also, a great place to start would be to suggest an article to the 'zines on the "before" and "after" ....compare the quality, of the two bike lines under the two regimes............A parent is not gonna stand for a kid bitch'in about owning a GT, when its not cool anymore......worse workmanship equals greater safety hazards........ah you guys get the gist.:o: