RE: [CR]Re: American frame builders rule?

(Example: Framebuilders:Bernard Carré)

From: "Moos, Jerry" <jmoos@urc.com>
To: "'brucerobbins@worldmailer.com'" <brucerobbins@worldmailer.com>, classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
Subject: RE: [CR]Re: American frame builders rule?
Date: Fri, 6 Apr 2001 08:35:44 -0400


I think perhaps the "Americans rule" line was just a bit of the gratuitous hyperbole we Yanks are unfortunately given to. I think that the main point was that thanks to guys like Brian and Richard, American bikes are now regarded as highly as the best from Britian, France, or Italy, which wasn't the case 30 years ago. With that I agree. I also agree that UK builders are capable of as high a level of workmanship as the Americans, and can provide exquisite frames at very reasonable prices. I am in fact acting on this belief, as I recently placed a deposit for a custom Audex frame to be built by Richard Kent of Arthur Caygill's. Caygill was recommended to me by our esteemed listmeister, who owns a Caygill himself.

Regards,

Jerry Moos, Russell, PA, USA

-----Original Message----- From: brucerobbins@worldmailer.com [mailto:brucerobbins@worldmailer.com] Sent: Friday, April 06, 2001 5:42 AM To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org Subject: [CR]Re: American frame builders rule?

Dennis Ryan wrote:
> Time was
> when most American cyclist would've been surprised to see American-built
> bikes classed with the best from Britain, France, Italy or Japan. Today we
> rule, but it didn't happen overnight (thanks Richard, Grant, Brian, Matt,
> Albert ...)

I'd have to take issue with you here, Dennis, over your claim that Americans "rule" when it comes to frame building.

I haven't seen any American-built frames but I'm prepared to take the word of all those on the list who say they're the best.

However, to say that Americans rule is to suggest that they are inherently better builders. This I would dispute.

US built frames cost a fortune in comparison with those in the UK. That seems to me largely, but not exclusively, a result of the huge amount of time expended in profiling and shaping lugs.

Since this craftsmanship isn't exactly on the same level of complexity as quantum theory, I would submit it is achievable by gifted builders prepared to spend similar amounts of time and attention to the task.

UK builders are quite capable of that but the home market does not demand what would be seen as an unnecessary expense.

While UK collectors appreciate beautifully built bikes as much as anyone else, there is simply not a market here for such expensive machines, especially when the likes of a Hetchins or Ephgrave can readily be had for a fraction of the price.

With the greatest of respect to Brian, Richard, etc., who seem to be wonderful and highly-skilled craftsmen, I think some of our guys, and many from continental Europe, could produce the same work if the financial returns on their time were adequate.

So while I might concede-since I've no evidence to the contrary-that US bikes are the best traditionally made machines available, I do not, for what it's worth, agree that Americans rule.

Bruce.

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