Tom,
It doesn't appear that anyone became too upset by your gutsy post. Did any old hubs get tossed through your window last night? I think that what you stated raises some complex issues, but to a great extent the reaction to the newer equipment by the classic bike enthusiast is just, 'human nature'. I have some modern bikes that I quite enjoy as well, and the new super light Campy wheel sets are a pleasure to use. Admittedly though, when I select a newer bike to purchase, a preference is for something that strikes me as having at least a touch of 'artistry' in it. It is one of the qualities within the cycle tradition that I most appreciate. In my opinion, this is not currently easy to find amongst the well known and old time concerns. That is a basic criteria for me. When I go to bike shows however, and see all the folks 'gooing' and 'gaaing' over the latest here today gone tomorrow set ups, as in the hideous hidden head set designed frames, and I look at the top of the line components made by our beloved makers now, where the plating is so shoddy compared to the old days, I begin to question the advantages of 'progress'. The loss of connection with the human hand making the things leaves me sad. After a few hours spent at a exhibit like that, I feel like a man thirsty and lost in the desert, dying for a drink from the oasis of classic bikes, where the ancient well is still pure and satisfying, and I don't want to know about the modern stuff anymore. My eyes are burned by all the new 'flash', and my ears are numb from all the hype. Sure, it is a generalization and a overreaction, but if you are someone who knows 'how sweet it can be', it can't help but get to you sometimes. Unfairly and through no fault of their own, it makes me want to even throw people like the highly skilled and talented current group of hand made frame makers into the young 'whipper snapper' category as well (some of these 'whipper snappers' with thirty years experience now I believe). After a while I come back to my senses about it, but there definitely is a lot of bad 'gas' out there, and if you aren't careful, it tends to influence one's impressions and manner of critique.
Dennis Young Hotaka, Japan
> I am somewhat troubled by the mentality that seeks a villain for every =
> setback. I am somewhat unsure just what is meant by the "Decline" of =
> the classic bike. I see no villainy in seeking to make bikes lighter, =
> or more accessible to the masses. There was a conjunction of lots of =
> events that brought us here. Before we go any further with this =
> discussion let us remember that there has always been a lot of junk on =
> the bike market. I have modern high quality bikes, classic bikes of =
> the CR List period and also classically inspired bikes. I don't feel =
> anything has been lost when I ride my ergo shifting, aero braked bikes. =
> I love them. I love my older bikes, too. I love lugwork above all, but =
> half my bikes are fillet braised or tigged. The lugwork on my newer =
> Columbine is, by far the finest lugwork..it rides better than any other =
> bike I've ever seen. I won't extol the virtues of my (way off topic) =
> tigged cyclocross bike, but all on the list who have seen it seem to =
> admire it. Many of the sacred cows of vintage collectors share at =
> least some responsibility for any decline in the classic bike, assuming =
> there really has been one. Tremendously expensive Italian components =
> that were sometimes outclassed by cheaper Japanese ones, frame who sold =
> out to companies who did not share their quality ideals, the Madison Ave =
> type B.S. that seemed to send the message that if you didn't emulate =
> racers you weren't hip. =20
> I really think this is beating a dead horse. If you think the classic =
> bike is in decline, you might be right if numbers are the prime =
> consideration, but remember the really great bike has always been the =
> exception. I'd put up many modern makers, like Tommasini or Richard =
> Sachs or Columbine against any of the classic bikes and I think they'd =
> stack up pretty well. =20
> Again, what percent of sales were Masi Specials, any way? The special =
> has always been somewhat rare and there are great bikes today. And, as =
> always a lot of not so great bikes. I do think the special bikes today =
> are a lot more expensive, but I'm not just sure, if adjusted for =
> inflation, how much more expensive.
> A thousands pardons for waxing so verbose...I am painfully aware this =
> letter is way too long and I know will not be welcome in some quarters.
> Too gabby in Lansing, Mi
> Tom Sanders