View Poll Results: Which country of origin do you prefer for C&V bikes?
Canada
7
4.64%
England
22
14.57%
France
17
11.26%
Germany
0
0%
Italy
34
22.52%
Japan
37
24.50%
Spain
1
0.66%
Switzerland
1
0.66%
USA
22
14.57%
Other
10
6.62%
Voters: 151. You may not vote on this poll
Which country of origin do you prefer for C&V bikes?
07-12-21, 04:35 PM
#26
Sunshine
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Japan for sure. I got into c&v bikes by way of an interest in the globalization of frame manufacturing so Japan's history in the 70s and 80s is what fist got me.
07-12-21, 04:44 PM
#27
Master Parts Rearranger
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Due to my height, USA gets the nod, especially for anything semi-desirable or better, that came in 65cm or larger. Yes, other countries' bikes sold here could come in Super Tall sizes, but as a percentage it's less. Now, if I was Dutch and tall (but do I repeat myself? 
), then I'd just chose my own country. 
), then I'd just chose my own country.
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07-12-21, 04:44 PM
#28
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No bike brand has ever come up to the standard offered me by Marinoni. Perhaps it is my Canadian bias but every single Marinoni has proved to be a cut above the other bikes that I have owned and I have owned top dogs from France, Italy, US, Germany and, certainly, Japan.
Each of these bikes blew me away. All, but one, are gone and the one I still have will be in the casket with me, when the time comes...
Product of a failed marriage with first generation Campy Super Record transmission - $25.00
Found at the dump...
$60.00 at a yard sale but too small for me to ride...
A bit big and set me back $200.00 but a great rider...
My first ever Marinoni - thought that I had died and gone to heaven...
This is my keeper, unless a better one comes along...
Each of these bikes blew me away. All, but one, are gone and the one I still have will be in the casket with me, when the time comes...
Product of a failed marriage with first generation Campy Super Record transmission - $25.00
Found at the dump...
$60.00 at a yard sale but too small for me to ride...
A bit big and set me back $200.00 but a great rider...
My first ever Marinoni - thought that I had died and gone to heaven...
This is my keeper, unless a better one comes along...
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Last edited by randyjawa; 07-12-21 at 04:50 PM.
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07-12-21, 04:56 PM
#29
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Where is Belgium?
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07-12-21, 05:12 PM
#31
señor miembro
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Originally Posted by Wileyone
America??!!
<image withheld for the sake of humanity>
<image withheld for the sake of humanity>
07-12-21, 05:15 PM
#32
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Originally Posted by SurferRosa
Okay, now that's just hitting below the belt.
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07-12-21, 05:25 PM
#34
Klaatu..Verata..Necktie?
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Huh. Based on the results so far, it looks like I was wrong to think Japan would be way down in the standings. Either I'm not the independent thinker I like to imagine, or a bunch of independent thinkers all arrived at the same conclusion. Independently, of course.
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07-12-21, 05:42 PM
#36
Le savonnier
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Originally Posted by nlerner
My Austrian-made Free Spirit sheds a tear.
But then there is "Other."
07-12-21, 06:19 PM
#37
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My favorite country of origin is the country of origin of whatever bike I'm currently wanting. Which is to say, "I like all the countries because I want all the bikes."
But I picked England, because only the Brits would make a Hetchins. And I really, really want a Hechins.
--Shannon
But I picked England, because only the Brits would make a Hetchins. And I really, really want a Hechins.
--Shannon
07-12-21, 06:22 PM
#38
Ride, Wrench, Swap, Race
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Belgium:
Merckx frames are perhaps the best I've ridden(?), though technically Belgium's not on the list (and none are very light).
Some great ones from Japan, my Pro Tour and my ONP immediately come to mind.
My Konno-built Allez perhaps having some USA influence, at least branded as such.
USA:
My Nobilette is super-spirited. My Trek 720 "Cadillac" is uniquely smooth. My Davidson Impulse is so well-rounded and so rewarding of hard efforts, and my fillet-brazed Ritchey is almost too nice to ride! My Bayliss-painted Richard Moon WAS too nice to ride, so I moved it on to a new owner.
France:
My Limongi is another great one for fast riding, and I've enjoyed riding many a Peugeot!
Italy:
My Bianchi Nuovo Racing seems to fight above it's weight so to speak, and my Mondonico-built Masi is one really fine rider. I'm still looking for a C&V Colnago in my size.
England:
My Marlboro-era Holdsworth Special is I think my best all-round road-going bike for longer rides, soaks up bumps like nothing else in it's class and is a good climber.
My Hong Kong-made Kobe Cobra is impressive for it's modest price point.
Other modest bikes like a Carbolite UO9 Super Sport, Steyr Clubman, Schwinn Supersports and Raleigh Super Course all made favorable impressions over many miles, though are bikes without sprinting capability.
Merckx frames are perhaps the best I've ridden(?), though technically Belgium's not on the list (and none are very light).
Some great ones from Japan, my Pro Tour and my ONP immediately come to mind.
My Konno-built Allez perhaps having some USA influence, at least branded as such.
USA:
My Nobilette is super-spirited. My Trek 720 "Cadillac" is uniquely smooth. My Davidson Impulse is so well-rounded and so rewarding of hard efforts, and my fillet-brazed Ritchey is almost too nice to ride! My Bayliss-painted Richard Moon WAS too nice to ride, so I moved it on to a new owner.
France:
My Limongi is another great one for fast riding, and I've enjoyed riding many a Peugeot!
Italy:
My Bianchi Nuovo Racing seems to fight above it's weight so to speak, and my Mondonico-built Masi is one really fine rider. I'm still looking for a C&V Colnago in my size.
England:
My Marlboro-era Holdsworth Special is I think my best all-round road-going bike for longer rides, soaks up bumps like nothing else in it's class and is a good climber.
My Hong Kong-made Kobe Cobra is impressive for it's modest price point.
Other modest bikes like a Carbolite UO9 Super Sport, Steyr Clubman, Schwinn Supersports and Raleigh Super Course all made favorable impressions over many miles, though are bikes without sprinting capability.
07-12-21, 07:15 PM
#39
Full Member
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Originally Posted by hazetguy
07-12-21, 07:35 PM
#40
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No preference. I just like that certain ideas popped up in these various locations, and the people there produced machines that were truly marvelous.
English three speeds.
French randonneur/constructeur type bikes.
Italian racing bikes. (Honorable mention for sport/condorino bikes).
English three speeds.
French randonneur/constructeur type bikes.
Italian racing bikes. (Honorable mention for sport/condorino bikes).
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07-12-21, 07:44 PM
#41
Le savonnier
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Originally Posted by Markeologist
thanks for confirming Belgium is NOT in France. Relegating Eddy Merckx’s bikes to “other” is a crime!
07-12-21, 08:11 PM
#42
Phyllo-buster
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We need a a ranked vote, maybe top 4 or 5 countries to get to the centre of our wants and needs, including Favorits. 
NYC had a real hard time implementing one of those this month. Not being political.
NYC had a real hard time implementing one of those this month. Not being political.
07-12-21, 08:13 PM
#43
señor miembro
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Originally Posted by bikingshearer
And what would Brian Boitano do?
07-12-21, 09:11 PM
#44
Disraeli Gears
As far as bikes I've built up to completion as a C&V aficionado: 3 English, 2 American and one each French, Italian and Japanese. 5 of these builds were not for me, but for members of my family.
Of the frames I've collected, to build as future projects, there are: 6 English, 4 French, 2 American, and one each Italian and Swiss.
Of frames I've bought and then passed on because they didn't seem to have much potential: 1 each American and Japanese.
One of the English frames I built up (my first build) I loved to ride, but finally decided it was undersized, and passed it on; to someone known to you all who apparently thought enough of it to put it in his (extensive, one might say promiscuous) rotation, for awhile at least.
In terms of perfection of construction quality, one American and one Italian, neither yet built, stand out. They're both mid-80s, which degree of perfection I can appreciate, but find myself drawn inexorably to other bikes with:
More "imperfect" charms -- three English frames of '50s vintage, with honorable mention (not too far behind) for three '70s frames: English, French and Swiss. Somehow I seem to have skipped the '60s.
Overall, I voted English, in the poll as in real life; but I feel strongly that French bikes should not suffer the stigma they often do, on account of their threading -- the French were, I think particularly good at "production" bikes; and then there were the exalted "constructeurs". There are very nice Italian bikes, I am well aware, but by and large they don't seem to send me anywhere special, Classic Rendezvous (which it occurs to me may be slightly misnamed, culturallly) notwithstanding. The Japanese bike I built to completion was not of the very highest level of that type, but it was surprisingly nice when you got to know it. Still, Japanese being the poll leader was a complete surprise to me.
Of the frames I've collected, to build as future projects, there are: 6 English, 4 French, 2 American, and one each Italian and Swiss.
Of frames I've bought and then passed on because they didn't seem to have much potential: 1 each American and Japanese.
One of the English frames I built up (my first build) I loved to ride, but finally decided it was undersized, and passed it on; to someone known to you all who apparently thought enough of it to put it in his (extensive, one might say promiscuous) rotation, for awhile at least.
In terms of perfection of construction quality, one American and one Italian, neither yet built, stand out. They're both mid-80s, which degree of perfection I can appreciate, but find myself drawn inexorably to other bikes with:
More "imperfect" charms -- three English frames of '50s vintage, with honorable mention (not too far behind) for three '70s frames: English, French and Swiss. Somehow I seem to have skipped the '60s.
Overall, I voted English, in the poll as in real life; but I feel strongly that French bikes should not suffer the stigma they often do, on account of their threading -- the French were, I think particularly good at "production" bikes; and then there were the exalted "constructeurs". There are very nice Italian bikes, I am well aware, but by and large they don't seem to send me anywhere special, Classic Rendezvous (which it occurs to me may be slightly misnamed, culturallly) notwithstanding. The Japanese bike I built to completion was not of the very highest level of that type, but it was surprisingly nice when you got to know it. Still, Japanese being the poll leader was a complete surprise to me.
Last edited by Charles Wahl; 07-12-21 at 09:15 PM.
07-12-21, 09:29 PM
#45
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The country that just won the UEFA Euro Championship.
07-12-21, 09:37 PM
#46
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My heart is with vintage French bikes. My garage is filled with made in USA bikes with a few US brands made elsewhere. Then when I was racing, I had a Serotta. So, I think French, English and European and Japanese, but I seem to buy American.
My first "lightweight" was a French bike.
My first "lightweight" was a French bike.
07-13-21, 04:22 AM
#47
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Originally Posted by SurferRosa
Vote USA, obviously.
All "kidding" aside one of my favorite production bikes of all time was a Trek TX900 I owned back in the day. It would run circles around the Colnago I owned.
07-13-21, 04:29 AM
#48
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In 20 years, you’d definitely need to add China to this list.
