Bruce writes;
>Claims that US framebuilders are the best begs the question, "What were
they doing in the 30s-50s when the French, British and Italians led the
way?" Why weren't they producing bikes to take the world by storm?
Because they were too busy building automobiles to feed the gasoline-fueled frenzy that is just now catching on in other nations around the world. Nations who, to their credit, saw fit (either thru common sense or economic necessity) to ride bicycles rather than fall prey to the seductive temptaions of the car.
During the years you mention, bicycles in the US were econsidered toys... you rode one as a kid and then as soon as you could convice your parents to let you save up for that first used car, the bike got tossed aside and you spent every cent of your extra money on gas and mag wheels, and every minute of your spare time went to hot-rodding the engine or looking for girls who wanted to go for a ride.
The club rides and time trials I hear so much about in England were unheard of in my childhood. On the other hand, I did know several guys who lived for the sole purpose of drag racing every Sunday.
The folks in this country who stuck with their bikes after childhood were a distinct minority. I did not own a car until I was 28, and most of my friends thought I was pretty odd (well, there may have been one or two other factors besides the bike which contributed to that...).
Bob Hovey
Columbus, GA