Brooks issue a new Despatch for Feb 2013

[Danneaux]

Hi All!

Brooks have just issued the latest edition of their Despatch for viewing online here:
http://us1.campaign-archive1.com/?u=779d0fc02cc4843db052687bf&id=4ff4b891cb&e=9fe9e6dc64

Features in this edition:
• Enter to win a "Dashing Bike"
• Brooks' new LEJOG roll-top panniers video http://blog.brooksengland.com/wps/new-travel-bags-video/
• Brooks' Cambridge rain cape http://www.brooksengland.com/catalogue-and-shop/clothing/john+Boultbee+Clothing/CAMBRIDGE+Stowable+Rain+Cape/
• New Edition of the Books Bugle blog
     Online here: http://blog.brooksengland.com/wps/bugle/
     Downloadable PDF here: http://blog.brooksengland.com/wps/wp-content/uploads/bugle/the_brooks_bugle_2013.pdf
The blog features the following:
        • Enjoy Every Mile, Brooks new tour-facilitation website; starting entry centers on LEJOG.
        • New 2013 products arising from the Royal College of Art-Brooks collaboration.
        • Brooks-inspired art (or Art, depending on one's view).
        • A talk by Grant Petersen, late of Bridgestone, now head of Rivendell Bike Works.
        • An Events roundup.
        • Riding LEJOG for charity.
        • RTW and international touring accounts.
        • (Brooks) Dashing Bike Show, San Francisco summary.
        • Alex Moulton tribute.
        • Unusual bikes of 2013.
        • Brooks poetry (?!)
        • New Brooks vegan (!) saddle, the Cambium, made of natural rubber and organic cotton (?!?!)
        • Brooks multi-tool presentation, building on earlier announcement.
        • New chat-help function.

Compared to earlier Despatches and Bugles, I see a distinct change of focus at Brooks. For good or bad, to me they seem to be moving further away from product pragmatism and closer to positioning themselves as a "products lifestyle" company. I suppose it is a necessary direction for economic diversification, niche fulfillment, and survival in leaner markets, but I'm not sure I'm too happy with the change and grumble to myself about the makers of my saddles becoming more poseur-focused with prices and products to match. Perhaps all the ancillary activities and change in focus simply stuck me wrong; they still produce the same remarkable saddles, and if it keeps them from going the way of Sturmey-Archer, it can't be a bad thing. Interesting reading in any case.

Best,

Dan.