YEA, BABY. . . YEA, YEA. . . .
Oh actually boo, booo. . . this means I have someone else to compete against in the Ebay bidding arena. Was it Sarah Gibson who had the fully trick Zunow that sold for $500 a few months ago? What a smoking deal, any European bike of similar quality would have gotten at least twice as much. damn, damn, damn. . . Brandon"monkeyman"Ives SB, CA
On Tuesday, April 22, 2003, at 06:59 PM, Dave Novoselsky wrote:
> I would assume that part of the problem, Curt, is just as you suspect:
> Japanese framebuilders simply get 'no respect' while French builders
> are treated with what amounts to virtual sainthood. And, there is
> little objective reason for either view.
>
> I may not have the same eye for a frame that you and Richie Sachs
> possess, but both of you have expressed quite a bit of appreciation
> for such Japanese efforts as the Nagasawa frame which I was fortunate
> enough to purchase earlier this year and Richie 'outed' on this group.
> Richie refers to the works of this one-man shop as his source of
> inspiration for many years. You also expressed appreciation of the
> early 80s Zunow frame that I bought recently and just finished
> building Yet another Japanese framebuilder that is largely
> unappreciated by collectors in this country.
>
> Frankly, there are some excellent builders in Japan and they have been
> at work at their craft nearly as long as their French counterparts.
> Which group has the better product?
>
> Well, I was thinking of a Singer recently, then I saw what some would
> call an 'imitation' of the same style by Toei that a friend had
> brought back from Japan. I agree that there is no question which one
> was constructed and built better, the Japanese product. The
> workmanship on the frame (of course, to my layman's eye only) was
> better on the Japanese product. The paint was superior as well, and
> paint is usually something that most enthusiats can weigh without the
> same problems that might present themselves when contrasting style and
> ability in basic frame construction.
>
> Let me offer this observation as well: Compare the average 'low end'
> lugged steel frame from a builder in Europe, including some of the
> current 'survivors' offered by traditional Italian builders such as
> Cinelli, Tommasini, etc. I like my recently acquired, current
> production CInelli SuperCorsa, But sitting next to my Rivendell
> Atlantis or Rambo, also lugged steel in roughly the same price range
> (okay, the Cinelli is a tad cheaper, but the equiv Tommasini is the
> same price) the fit and finish, especially the lug work (and the labor
> on the lugs themselves as well as the basic lugs) on the
> Japanese-built Rivs is head and shoulders above their 'Old World'
> rivals. Paint? Give me a break, the Rivs are so far above their
> competition that it is not even an issue.
>
> As I said, Curt, the Japanese simply get no respect when it comes to
> bicycles, now or in 'our era.'
>
> Dave Novoselsky
> Chicago, Illinois