Is not the correct way to judge a bicycle frame not on how it looks put too judge it on how it does it intended purpose. Yes Confente and a long list of frame builders built wonderful detailed and finished bicycles. But did what they build forefeel its intended purpose. For example a track frame is meant to hurl the rider in a very brutal manner at maximum speed for a short period. Does a wonderfully looking track frame help? I would say what it does say is the builder was thoughtful, careful, knew how to put a frame together correctly and tried to produce a frame meant for its intended purpose. But a lesser looking frame could produce the same results. Yes has we can't ride every bicycle we see too try to make a judgment call we tend to resort to what we see. And that can be very deceiving. Charles Nighbor Walnut Creek, CA