I recall a series of management tapes entitled, "You are what you were
when." This may be appropriate for the recent comments by several listmembers
about the heart and soul of various nations' bike offerings. In my own view,
the Italian bikes speak race, race, race. The name builders came from a time
when Italy dominated the world racing scene and they built on that experience
to offer the world racing bikes that did that one thing very, very well.
Then, you have the Brits, who have a wonderful countryside and a history of
taking Sunday strolls, or rides, to enjoy their free time. Hillary presented a
wonderful treatise on the British Bicycling Industry at Cirque several years
ago, where he showed us the innovations, but ultimate protectionist policies
that did them in. Still, simple three speed (or more) bikes for the masses
are what I think of when I think of the "English Racer". It was only my
introduction to more classic marques from this group that made me see that they had
more. But, my view is still either three speed or fancy lugs when I think
of British bikes. The French? The trials that I love to read about in Jan
Heine's VBQ make me appreciative of an industry that loved practicality but
also understood the need for lightweight, reliable machines. Fenders, racks,
along with gearing to handle the varied French terrain are what I think of when
I think of French bikes. French racing bikes? While they have the Tour de
France, racing bikes are not what comes to mind when I think about the French
bicycle industry. America? Old world workmanship plus gorgeous finishes
set them apart. Like so many other things American, the result is a mixture of
other world cultures. If you look at the 50s, 60s and 70s, it was a bike
for the masses, with specialty offerings for, well, specialists. But,
something to put under the Christmas tree that didn't break the budget is what comes
to mind for early decades. Now, I believe the United States is the last
bastion of handmade steel bicycles. The work rivals anything ever done anywhere
else in the world. There are other builders in the world who have equally
excellent offerings, but not in the same numbers as in the U.S. Just my three
cents. In my collection, I have zero British, Belgium, French or German
bikes. I own four Italian bikes, one Japanese, and about twelve U.S. built
bikes. I'm not against all the others, I just buy what rocks my boat, and right
now, it is the custom American builder and the Pantographed offerings from
70s-80s Italy. Lou Deeter, Orlando FL