Re: [CR] Hacksawn Dropouts: A Smoking Gun?

(Example: Framebuilders:Dario Pegoretti)

From: "P.C. Kohler" <kohl57@starpower.net>
To: <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
References: <244640-22004256214353463@M2W095.mail2web.com> <40242C50.423631D6@earthlink.net>
Subject: Re: [CR] Hacksawn Dropouts: A Smoking Gun?
Date: Fri, 6 Feb 2004 20:57:11 -0500


----- Original Message ----- From: "Chuck Schmidt" <chuckschmidt@earthlink.net> To: <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org> Sent: Friday, February 06, 2004 7:08 PM Subject: Re: [CR] Hacksawn Dropouts: A Smoking Gun?


>
> I think the word you're looking for here Peter is "chauvinistic", which
> the French invented.

Mais qui, M. Schmidt. But I mean it's hard not to admire this maddingly Gallic trait in things as important as a bicycle. In lesser things like international relations, it's most tiresome, but it was rather nice to see something as noble as a bicycle summing up the best (or worst) of one country's cycle ethic, ethos and engineering.

Parts bin cycle manufacture has been a factor for so long, it's worth recalling when Raleigh could make pretty much everything used in something as complex as a bicycle. Peugeot never quite achieved this but you could buy, at the same time as your PX-10, an electric kettle, pepper grinder and electric drill, all from the same company if not factory. But at least the bike was resolutely FRENCH. Just like every bit of my 1950s Raleigh were BRITISH. Er, actually ENGLISH.

Today of course we have turned full circle. Most Raleighs can proudly claim to represent the great cycle engineering traditions of..... Viet-Nam.

Peter Kohler, cycle chauvinist
Washington DC USA