I would agree with Peter that until the 80's or maybe late 70's there were extremely few top quality high volume American road bikes except Schwinn Paramount. There were always a few custom builders around, and more of them beginning in the 70's, but it was hard to walk into a shop and buy a top quality American bike.
Regards,
Jerry Moos
Houston, TX
ajoke
I am wondering just what period Peter finds that American bikes were all a joke in. I have found that certainly since the '70s they lead the world in many ways in quality. Perhaps he was referring to an earlier period, in which case I plead a lack of knowledge. He did say when he was growing up. We he said that "If I collected Masi, sorry but I just would have to have an Italian one" I just had to think how strange this was, as I have sold Italian Masi bikes just because they were not American. I certainly am not chastising Peter here, and am glad that he is leaving the American ones alone so that I can buy them. I would welcome come clarifying remarks on his views of American bike quality, though. Tom Sanders Buyin' all those great American bikes I can afford (and then some), especially Masis, in Lansing, Mi