It's really a Canada vs. USA kinda thing with me. For me, Europe is the birthplace of the great cycles, and the UK first and foremost. Anything coated in chrome from the USA is either a Harley or a Chevy.
And I'd rather a straight-stayed Hetchins Magnum Opus, if you please, preferably with low mounted fastback seatstays. That's so very British.
I grew up in a city awash with French and Italian and British bikes. My local shop stocked Masi, Colnago, De Rosa , all rather similar in my view. My friends mostly rode Peugeot, Torpado, Bianchi, Bottechia. My brother rode a Mercier Service des Courses, his best friend a Claud Butler. Eventually people here turned to Marinoni because they could get a custom-made Italian style frame at a very affordable price.
Until I learned about Hetchins -- what an amazing story it is -- I lusted only after a Raleigh Team, preferably 753.
That's my story and I'm sticking to it.
Emanuel Lowi
Montreal, Quebec