Don said "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."
Go to http://www.yellowjersey.org and see the link to my 2003 Nagasawa frameset, both as delivered and as built. Take a look at the closeups of the lugwork and the paint. This artist has been building since the 'classic era' and these photos show very well that this Japanese builder does indeed craft 'works of art. (Richie Sachs' reaction to these photos was "wow, one of the most beautiful frames I have ever seen, of any era." )
Although not to everyone's taste because of the rather wild decals and paint choices, the Zunow frames feature artisitic touches galore, including a 'biplane' rear brake bridge, carved lugs, etc.
When the Nagasawa photos were first 'outed' here by Richie, Dennis Young called to my attention that there are many other Japanese framebuilders who simply make no effort to export, as their work is sold -- and sold out in advance much like the work of our artists such as Richie, Peter, Brian, and Curt -- and who are not known in the United States or the Continent as a result.
And as for componentry, while I am a 'Campy man' in my modern gruppos (I prefer the way the Ergo shifts vs the STI), let us not confuse art and 'pose'. In the classic era, Frank Berto said in THE DANCING CHAIN that the fastest way to sort out a tester who had not ridden a bike or was not being honest in his review was if the tester praised the Campy Gran Turismo rear mech, the 'worst der ever to wear the Campy name.' What did Schwinn replace it with on the back of the Paramount P-15 in 1973? A rebadged Shimano Crane GS.
Also during the classic era, Frank noted that an $8 Sun Tour der shifted far better than a $35 Campy. The Japanese forced Campy into the modern era, and the result is components that improved at a rapid pace, and fit and finish on the Japanese products that is functional art. (Sorry, even though I prefer the Campy products, the fit and finish and the 'artistry' of the Dura Ace line really can't be denied. Smooth,and cleanly-designed, beautifully finished, carefully built, the DA rear mech is just as much of a work of art as the current Campy Chorus or the cf covered Record rear.)
Yes, form does follow function and 'art' in a mechanical component should not be exalted over function. The Sun Tour bar ends were art in its highest form, a near perfect function that was used on many bikes, even otherwise Campy gruppos, simply because they worked so well. Take a good look at how they looked. Nicely finished for a low price. IMHO, that is true art.
Let us not buy blindly into the 'evil Empire' or ShimaNO mantra. Shimano achieved its current position by devoting a substantial portion of its budget to R&D while others such as Simplex etc were content to build the same product, over and over and over. (And where is the artistry in a plastic der that works poorly?)
Sorry for the rant. Too much coffee after an early morning ride in the dark (using one of those new HID lighting systems on my Gunnar Crosshairs.)
Dave Novoselsky Chicago Illinois (and Pleasant Prairie Wisconsin)