I agree, it seems that in the US we all seem to think we can compensate for lack of talent, conditioning and youth my spending more money than the next guy (except the next guy of course is also trying to outspend you). It seems that the European and UK markets are a bit more practical in considering value for the money, and at least in the past some European lower division pro and elite amateur clubs would race quite effectively on equipment a lot less exotic than that used by overweight American poseurs. I guess the good part is that American conspicious consumption has helped sustain the profit margins of European manufacturers. I doubt that Campagnolo would have survived had they not been able to sell top of the line products to American buyers whose abilites would have been as well served by lesser equipment.
Regards,
Jerry Moos
Houston, TX
> In a message dated 7/22/02 10:34:39 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
> jerrymoos@sbcglobal.net writes:
>
> << Spanish bikes sometimes
> had English threading, sometimes French. >>
>
> And my Razesa is threaded Italian...nothing like being consistent? Would
the
> Durifort be roughly in the same class as Columbus Aelle or Reynolds 501?
> BTW, I love the term Club Racer, Jerry. Isn't that what 90% of the
> Citizens/Category 3/4/5 racers need? Yet on every club ride or local race
I
> see overweight, undertrained 30-40 somethings like me riding pro-replica
> superbikes that cost more than my first car. Only in America. <wink>
>
> Ed Kasper
> Detroit
> (Where you are defined by the car you drive.)