I hardly know where to start.
First, thanks to Mr. Martinez I am corrected on one score: the TI Raleigh pro bikes definitely won a lot in the pro peleton (and, by the way, I'd *love* to own one of those red and yellow beauties)...but that was not the bike I was referring to...I was actually referring to all the bikes Mr. Kohler likes to extole so much..none of those won anything, so far as I know.
Which brings me to Mr. Kohler. No vitriol intended here, but, really, man, how valuable is your opinion anyway? Far as I can tell, you don't own or ride *any* vintage italian race iron, so how would you know what it's like to ride that iron on a regular basis?
For what it's worth, they ride just as nice slow, as fast, so enough with the straw men, ok?
And before you start assuming all kinds of stuff about me, I should inform you that I rode a Falcon San Remo for 20-odd years, in all weather, including 3 feet of fresh snow (no lie), and it's one of my favorite bikes...the fact that it's rather italian in a 50s kind-of-way probably has something to do with it. ;>
No offense intended, or taken, but you might try owning and riding some italian race iron before you are so free with your opinion of same.
Charles Andrews
SoCal