Yeah, I was wondering the same thing...
Sounded like another one of those "waxing eloquent" statements that I jump on people for when it would just be easier to make an effort to provide details that are a little more objective - identifiable - observable or comparable.
For example...
My Mexican made Benotto 2000 had a laid back Italian geometry with Ishiwata 019 and a steep head angle - yet it rode just like my Japanese made Lotus with a laid back head angle. The Lotus had a very long wheelbase but could hit the hills and sprints just like the Benotto 2000.
My Italian made Tommasini has a very laid back geometry - but with a tight fitting rear wheel and shorter wheelbase - yet it has the same understeer my Lotus and Benotto had.
My Raliegh Competition from the 80's rode just like my French made Peugeot 501 bike from the 80's - but the Peugeot flexed like a noodle. But the Peugeot didn't feel anywhere near as soft and comfortable as an Italian made Benotto 5000SL which also flexed like a noodle.
And my Spanish made Zeus Victoria? Upright seat tube that tosses and bend you over the front - and an agressive head angle makes for a bike that has no understeering - "takes corners like it's on rails" like one person said awhile back...
Do I "wax eloquently" and...
1. Attribute a "Mexican, Italian, or a Japanese feel" to the Benotto and Lotus?
2. Dare I attribute a "Japanese feel" to my Tommasini?
3. Should I attribute a "Culinary feel" to my Peugeot and the Benotto 5000SL?
4. Should I attribute a "Spanish feel" to my Zeus?
Personally, I prefer to talk in terms of:
1. Angles 2. Road shock absorption 3. Whether you are upright or stretched out. 4. Whether there is oversteer or understeer. 5. Whether there is stiffness for hill and sprint attacks - or flex for long flats and comfort.
The closest I come to making a "feel" statement regarding my bike is simply the following:
All except the Zeus were road bikes. However I "felt" the Benotto 2000 and Lotus were more responsive on the hills and in sprints. My Zeus "feel" like a criterium bike.
At least I can describe the angles and other characteristics that I can "claim" support the generalized statement. Other would still reserve judgement for themselves for the obvious reason...
=8-)
Robert Shackelford San Jose, CA USA
Quoting Nor Meyer <norbikes@gmail.com>:
> * It definitely feels more Italian than French,
> *
>
>
> > I'm curious. What exactly duz the above evaluation mean? Do
> differant nationalities produce bikes with differant "feel"? A little more
> explication, please.
> Thanx!
>
> Nor Meyer, in Mt. Vernon, IA
>
>
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