Stephen,
you wrote (among other comments):
>I don't see
> why that is any reason not to ride the best bike I can afford, if that's
> where my interest lies.
> I realize that Jerry was speaking in sweeping generalities and I acknowledge
> the truth in his comments, though I suspect the desire for quality equipment
> is as strong in Europe as here in the states, when money is available. I
> just don't think any weekend warrior needs to feel guilty about wanting to
> put a Masi between his legs.
Certainly not and this sentiment have been strong also in Europe and no guilt felt. Still there is a difference in culture and I will give you an example. I have a mid-priced Dutch sports tourer from 1979, first class paint, chromed ends, plain but nice lugs, Campagnolo fork ends, braze-ons. Looks nice and rides nice. Well executed, not over-worked or pretentious, but built by someone with a sense for classical design, good workmanship and good taste. It has Hi-Ten tubes.
Such a bike had a market in Europe twenty years ago (not now I´m afraid), but would probably been impossible to sell in US. For psychological reasons maybe, but you could also express it thus that a segment of the market was missing.
tailwinds
Olof Stroh
Uppsala Sweden with lots of snow