Re: [CR]Re: no respect for japanese bike makers ...

> Out of curiosity can the list name some of these unknown Japanese builders ?
> We've all heard of Toei, San Rensho, Zunow, Nagasawa, Fuji, Panasonic,...
> but what about others ? Even the CR site has only a limited selection of
> Japanese bikes shown.
>
> When I'm browsing EBay alot of times I'll do searches on "Japanese lugged"
> or "Old Japanese" or "Japanese Steel..." just to see what turns up (usually
> not much).
>
> John Price
> Denver CO
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Mark Poore [mailto:rauler83@yahoo.com]
> Sent: Wednesday, April 23, 2003 11:31 AM
> To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
> Subject: Re: [CR]Re: no respect for japanese bike makers ...
>
>
>
>
>
> With regards to what Dale said, "I believe top-of-the-game Japanese
> bikes/frames get great respect by those with a knowledge of the craft," I
> believe this is true for those with a knowledge of the craft, however with
> regards to many, whether general consumers or even list members there is a
> lot to be said for name recognition. This is true well beyond the perimeters
> of the cycling world. In skiing the handmade Stockli skis are to skiing what
> Colnago is to cycling. Although not well know in this country outside of
> racing circles many of the top World Cup racers rode Stockli skis to
> victories with their sponsor's graphics on the top skins, but it comes, as
> no surprise the consumer would shell out bigger bucks for a pair of
> Rossignol skis over the Stockli skis. Now think for a minute, the respect or
> lack of is not only limited to the Japanese builders. Would a Bill Hurlow
> built Condor draw the admiring crowds around it say as a straight stay
> Hetchins without the long ornate lugs would. Maybe among a few on the list
> would stop and give it a long look, but many would glance at it and move on.
> I have seen this happen many times the last two years at the Cirque with my
> Rauler. Here is a limited production frame with lugs and workmanship out of
> the ordinary for Italian bikes that hardly got a glance by many who then
> stopped at a Cinelli a few bikes down and they inspected the bike from top
> to bottom. In the past 3 years I have seen 3 Raulers on ebay, the two frames
> went for around $150 and a NR Colnago pantographed equipped Rauler in nice
> shape went for nothing as compared to a Colnago of the same vintage. The
> strange thing here is that Rauler may have built many of the Colnagos that
> would have brought nearly twice the money. How many importers have brought
> very nice bikes or frames into this country they thought would be THE next
> bike to only gain no following and fade out of the market place. Faggin and
> Scapin are only two examples of Italian bikes that didn't gain a following
> that the big name brands did and I am sure there are many of you that can
> think of many others marques from England, France and other European
> countries.
>
>
>
> In closing, I believe you can look at any country, even our own, where you
> will find some top notch frames/builders that like Rodney Dangerfield just
> got no respect.
>
>
>
> Mark Poore
> In Slatyfork, WV where the mountains were snowcapped this morning.
>
>
> ---------------------------------
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