Mogens

As a native Wisconsinite, I have an eye out for Wisconsin-made bikes. I only have one at the moment, a Trek, but I think if I were to become a 'collector' that would be the focus of my interest.

jamesdak 

I for one am sick and tired of politics being brought into everything. This place needs to stay free from that madness. So no, it's silly to let that play a part in the bikes I have or will have in the future.

nlerner

I’ve long been drawn to Brit bikes, largely because of the culture of cycling and frame building that existed through the first half or so of the 20th century (and am a member of the New England chapter of the Veteran-Cycle Club). I’ve never actually owned an Italian frame, partially because I associate them with racing and skinny tires, which I have no interest in, partially because of their popularity to others. These days, most of what I’m riding regularly is made in Taiwan or China (with the exception of a Brit bike from the 70s modified in Portland, OR, by an Italian-American).

scarlson 

Better you (a collector of historic cycling objects) than an actual nazi.

Kilroy1988 

Culture for sure... I love the look and specifications of so many vintage bicycles I come across and silently wish to try out, but I've fallen into a rabbit hole acquiring mid-century British bicycles, accessories and literature, and trying to recreate that era in my mind's eye. While it's a time and place that's already popular among vintage bike enthusiasts the world over, I do hope that by focusing I may be able to turn around and contribute to the increasing historical record in some small way.

Being a long way from that goal, if I picked up and enjoyed riding unrelated bicycles around that would simply slow the process, so I'm trying to be consistent...

-Gregory

Wileyone 

I don't think the OP meant anything political towards the thread, just a poor choice of words. Country of origin might have been a better phrasing.

But what do I know. I collect rare Canadian bikes.

RobbieTunes

I have a Soviet-made, Soviet-era "flying disc" (i.e. Frisbee). Secured during the Cold War in a trade between two opposing servicemen who represented the reality but easily recognized the absurdity of the whole situation. I traded him a faded pair of Levi's and a "Go Pre" t-shirt for the disc and beautiful knife. I asked him if he was going to wear them, and he said "no, sell them." I called him a capitalist and we laughed our butts off. He now lives in the U.S. and is somewhat of a slum lord, but let me tell you, they pay their rent on time.

RobbieTunes

Awesome.

I simply don't get that. Irreverence is part of enjoying life.

SpeedofLite 

Go for a ride in Ohio while proudly wearing your University of Michigan jersey.
Expressions of concern won't be shown and you will understand borders.

RobbieTunes

I completely understand that.

Oldairhead 

Many a Thanksgiving dinner will be spoiled by politics and nationalism today and that is among family! Bringing those topics up on an unrelated internet forum seems to be tempting fate. It could easily devolve into a red bike vs. blue bike situation.

Happy Thanksgiving!

obrentharris 

I'm pretty sure I don't know all the factors that go into my bike choices.

I've lived all my life in California and I've wanted a California Masi for over 45 years now. Each time I think I can splurge on one I discover they've gone up in price again. Maybe part of my desire is because they were made in California. But I think my main motivations are aesthetic and personal. On the aesthetic side, I think they're beautiful bikes that perform well. On the personal side, my cycling coach in the mid seventies had raced in Italy and knew Mario Confente, so he bought one of the first California Masis. Being an impressionable young man at the time I too wanted one of those bikes. I guess it depends on where you draw the line between personal and cultural.

Brent (who will one day own a beat up California Masi.)

seypat

Something I think that is interesting and related to the thread subject is the hierarchy of "rules, ideas, querks, etc" people have which determines the acquisition and buildup of a bike. Those could be directly related to what's listed in the title.

For instance, color is a big thing for me. Even if it's a grail level bike, if the color is not to the liking it's a no go. Once I get the bike, all of these buildup rules apply. I try to keep the build as close to original while making it more rideable. I put triples on all of my bikes. But not just any triple will do. It has to be the triple version of the original model. If that's not possible, then it becomes same brand>same country of brand origin. And so on, and so on for all of the components. I'm not one of those "I'm putting a (fill in the blank) group on it" type of builders. Nothing wrong with that, it's just not me.

JJScaliger

I'm with Drillium Dude

BFisher

No.

Wildwood 

I was given a replica TdF Yellow Jersey that I never wear. Maybe when I'm 80 no one will call me a poseur.


If i whittled - California = 2, an Austrian, a Swiss, a Belgian, Italian, Brit, Dutchman.......???
I want to go into a bar with all of them.... and hear all the international jokes, stories, and drinking preferences.

SurferRosa

Thanks, all.

Those are just three contributors I quickly thought of when wondering about this subject of country exclusivity. Today I was thinking of fictional Dave Stohler and the incident that led him to switch flags. Are there actual vintage racing examples?

I was also thinking of Fausto Coppi. He went through a personal issue similar to Deigo Maradona that put him at odds with his country. I don't know much about it, but I wonder if he would have changed flags, given the opportunity.

Ha. Yeah, that is maybe the american equivalent of what I was referring to. It can get over-the-top passionate.

A country is made up of those things (politics, culture, patriotism ...) and others. And if any collectors are country specific, it shouldn't hurt to talk specifically about it.

I guess it could help to not know too much about a particular builder or culture that influenced a builder.

Spaghetti Legs 

That is all well and good, but do not, repeat do not, drink with Australians.

grizzly907la

I don't let my politics, culture, or nationalism get in the way of bicycling. Building, fixing and restoring stuff is my getaway from all of that. It's my Zin...most of the time. I have no desire to talk about the above mentioned things when I am riding, or hanging out with my close friends. We've gotten way too round up in the states over those things, and we all need to take the hair out of our noses, and focus on the things we share in common.

Wildwood 

As an old 7th Fleet sailor - your advice is waaay too late.

Pound for pound the Japanese and Korean businessmen I used to work with were unexcelled.
Australians pass out too early. After physical antics end.

Wileyone 

Why not? All the ones I've had "Cocktails" with are probably still under the Table.

jiangshi

I feel a ban coming on.

P!N20

Really? I'd love to have a drink with you guys.

Wildwood 

I heard or read - sorry no reference - so take it with a grain of salt.
(somebody will correct me if I'm wrong)

The Follis bicycle company moved from western Italy to eastern France (Lyon) because they did not like the political winds (rise of Mussolini?) in Italy.

So maybe my collection has a Frenchie, but only on the surface, not in its' soul?

JaccoW

Hardly, but I do believe every single one of my bikes is from a Dutch brand.
But that's just because there were many cool bicycles made here and not a lot of other countries made tall bikes (64+ cm) for people like me.