Originally Posted by
Bandera
Good solid sensible Brits didn't go in for displays of sentiment, certainly not of unseemly
passion for a bicycle.
A restrained appreciation for good design, quality workmanship, durability and most certainly for real value were part of the culture that included bicycles as well as other manufactured goods "back when" in the UK.
I doubt that any of the Carlton workmen who had a hand in the production of my '74 International would be surprised that it has been in continuous service for >43 years. Designed and built for a lifetime of versatile service by a club rider it's typically British of the era.
-Bandera
Judging from my old Raleigh international, I doubt they were sober when they made it and I doubt they gave a crap at all about how long it lasted in service.
Really going to disagree with this post...the Brits are more frilly than the Italians in design - and covered a whole lot of slop in stove top enamel. And there's nothing sensible about putting steel rims on a bike with mud guards and what passed as brakes. Obviously any generalizations about a country's bikes fail when discussing specific builders, but, post club bikes, the Brits just made imitation cinellis equipped with Italian parts.
There's just as much romanticism with Brits as there is Italians on this site.