here is why i think that japanese makers and japanese parts get no respect.
japanese parts and frames have always been rather bland stylistically. when i was a kid in the 1970's i was always looking for parts that were "amost as good" as the overly expensive european parts. i appreciated the suntour and SR stuff and the japanese efforts at innovation. Suntour and SR actually tried to make works of art in their componentry. unfortunately, they were wiped out by evil shimano.
today, i have an ultegra bicycle but if you ask me do i appreciate what shimano has done for the industry, i think it is truly a mixed bag. shimano has cheapened the bicycle parts industry, turning bicycle components into throw-away items. shimano bicycle parts are bland looking and i do not like the look. shimano has gone too far in making parts inexpensively and they have forced others to follow them down that dirty road. i feel that campagnolo has been forced down this road by shimano, but i may be mistaken about their motivations.
the european frame makers and component companies, especially campagnolo but also stronglight and cinelli, evoke a "passion" for bicycle design and styling. the parts and frames are a work of art. i'd like to see pictures of just one japanese frame or component set that comes close to being a work of art.
in 2000 i bought a 1998 trek 2300 with ultegra, and got it converted to a triple. it's a frigging 27-speed. i am reminded of a Bicycling! 1977 (i think) cartoon strip about a guy bragging about his 27-speed. the sprocket on the rear wheel takes up 25% of the picture (the bike's rear end is closest to the viewpoint). we all laughed about this in 1977. now in 2003 you can buy a 30-speed. why is this not thought to be insanely funny / stupid in 2003 ?? On my trek 2300, i normally shift 2 gears at a time because its such a pain in the *ss to change by only one gear at a time. I bought the trek because it looks good at 5 feet. there are almost no modern aluminum bicycles that offer anything to look at from 5 inches away. i still love the 1970's bicycles more than the neon explosions that are passed off as bicycles today ...
- don gillies
san diego, ca