charles nighbor <cnighbor@pacbell.net> wrote: A partial quote from a previous CR digest reads, "......The point though, is that the pantographed stem/stamped-bar combo is super-cool, and far more interesting to see than the usual Cinelli bars-and-stem. For those of us who get pleasure from that particular coolness-factor, the Cinelli stuff is boring; the 3ttt stuff is interesting......". I disagree with that partial quote. As an artist and Architect I find most bicycle components that are pantographed ugly and super cool. I am of the School of thought that less is more. Looking a non pantographed Cinelli stem I find the very clean lines marred and ugly when intruded on with pantographing. Then to add color further adds to the undesirability of it from a, "less is more view point". A Hetchins ornate lugs are nice but are they to be preferred over the clean ,"less is more" lugs of a 1970's California built Masi frame. I say no. A pantographed brake set with the typical red, yellow and green colors applied in the resulting grooves is even more of a joke. I prefer to enjoy and prefer a bike without any pantographing, clean non-ornate lugs and a very tasteful letter style frame makers name applied to the down tube only.
Charles, My first thought here, is that it seems to me that your present-time aesthetic judgement of pantographed-era bicycles is problematic, or, did you hate the stuff back then? What's the point of your "As an artist and Architect" critique without a nod to present collector's emotional and nostalgic attachment to the stuff? It caused quite a stir back in the day, and I'd even wager that a new take could be done today, with class. But forget about pantographing; I find your last sentence most chewable. You "prefer to enjoy and prefer a bike without any pantographing, clean non-ornate lugs and a very tasteful letter style frame makers name applied to the down tube only." Here's what I think: I think the practice of sticking foot-long full-name decals on the down tube is past its raison d'etre, all around. Masi, Colanago, and all the rest get a pass, cuz: race bikes: win races: publicity. done. But why now? What's with all the fine makers of steel frames in the $2000+ realm doin' plasterin' their names on? The other day I saw a rider on a bicycle, labeled "Bruce Gordon" on the down tube. I said, "Hi Bruce!" Come to find out he isn't "Bruce," he's Chuck, but his bicycle's frame was made by "Bruce." Bruce Gordon isn't the only one, there are others who do the same. Short story, I got the scoop from him on custom bicycles and I now think to myself, "Why would ANYBODY pay several thousand dollars for A BICYCLE BUILT TO RIDE AND FIT TO SUIT ONE'S SELF, and then submit to the imposition of another man's name up and down the whole damn down tube like that!!? Yeesh. I'd be grateful I got a fine-riding beauty, but there's no way I'd want some other guy's identity to become a permanent part of my riding identity. Where's the purity and joy of a bicycle ride in that? Surely there's a lugged steel builder out there with the talent, courtesy, and RESPECT to make it right without the immature stickers, don't you think so, Charles? What does the artist and architect in you say? Here in Wisconsin, I know a Frank Lloyd Wright when I see it. Joe Starck Masidon, WI
---------------------------------
Yahoo! Shopping
Find Great Deals on Holiday Gifts at Yahoo! Shopping