...and a Yugo or a Trabant is basically the same as a Porsche 959 or a Ferrari F40! They are all cars that will get you from point A to point B. No accomplishment in that either, then, I suppose. And a child's first violin is the same thing as a Stradivarius, too, I guess. They both make noise. ;-)
I hope you (again?) find something to be passionate about at some point in the future.
Cheers,
Greg Parker Ann Arbor, Michigan
Date: Wed, 15 Jun 2005 13:09:29 -0400 (GMT-04:00) From: Louis Schulman <louiss@gate.net> To: speedaneze@tesco.net, classicrendezvous@bikelist.org Subject: Re: [CR]Classic British Frames
I don't necessarily disagree with the sentiment in this letter. The problem is, as Dale has noted, that any competent builder can make a good riding bicycle, and it is the "artwork" that sets them apart. Without the artwork, all the bikes are basically the same.
Which, I have come to conclude, is the problem with this hobby. There is nothing interesting of substance in the filing of lug designs. There are much better media for the demonstration of mastery in metalwork than bicycle frames.
After three years on the list, and attending 3 Cirques, I find I just don't really care about most of the meaningless minutia that some seem to be preoccupied with. The Italian bikes are basically all made the same, whether by some bike god or not. Fancy lugs are not a great human accomplishment, nor is being able to spray a good coat of paint.
The history of bike technology is interesting, but most here never recovered from the love affair created by Campy's marketing department, so not much room for discussion there.
I wish someone could find something interesting to say about vintage bikes, but I haven't heard anything lately.
Louis Schulman Tampa, Florida
-----Original Message----- From: speedaneze@tesco.net Sent: Jun 15, 2005 11:37 AM To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org Subject: [CR]Classic British Frames
Good afternoon, I seem to have stirred up something with my remarks. Think I will try and put the matter straight. When it comes to classic frames I personally prefer pure simplicity of line. No fancy lugs. What purpose do they serve? Surely accurately mitred tubes are more important than a Bonum Whatsit lug set and if the mitring is done well it makes no difference if they are good quality investment cast or Bocama pressed lugs. Perhaps the builders amongst you will either ridicule this statement or agree? No fancy lugged Condor's just a nice simple Prugnat or Bocama Board built Condor with no chrome! Finally just look through any of the British cycling press from the 30's to the 80's and find me a crack on a fancy curly Hetchin's. Max Pendleton's Hetchins was rather plain and that's the only one I can readilly think of.
Oil up! Frank Ellingford London UK