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.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?
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.....