Regulatori

I was doing different subject searches for "origin" "country" etc.. to see if this was discussed recently but couldn't find any threads.

Last week I was in a bike shop talking to a few employees about a new stem/handlebar setup for my 2007 Bianchi Pista.

I mentioned hearing a lot of good things about Nitto and got absolute shock from both employees...."It's a Bianchi, you need Italian parts!"

Yes, I understand with classic Italian bikes that were indeed made in Italy, you typically chose Campagnolo. I remember back in the 90's people scoffing at Italian frame owners that chose Shimano.

I even had a little of the same views back then...with both of my Klein's, I typically bought US parts (Thomson) or even specifically, from companies around the Pacific Northwest (Synros, Control Tech, etc..) where I lived.
Klein's back then (1996) were actually made in Chehalis Washington though.

Nowadays, my Bianchi Pista has as much in common with Italy as it does with Asian countries (being built in Taiwan).

I had kind of a "gtfo" thought in my head when the LBS employees made that comment in all seriousness.


To me, if it's a classic Italian steel with some real roots/heritage, I would most likely be leaning towards Cinelli, Campagnolo, or similar. Same is if I owned a track bike handmade by one of the Japanese shops...I would lean towards Shimano/Sugino/Nitto, etc..

I of course am not going to look down on anyone if they choose differently...that's their choice.

But as for the Pista...a bike that's more Dim Sum than D'italia, it's not a huge concern.

Just curious what everyone else thoughts were. Sorry if this topic has been done to death.

Ratzinger

Naw. Priority number one is getting something of decent quality balanced with what I can afford. Usually means finding used components. I take what I can get. My bikes are meant to be good for riding.

seau grateau

Don't care.

TejanoTrackie 

Makes about as much sense as putting French parts on my Mercier Kilo WT and Motobecane Messenger. But, yeah, it's more about matching the quality of the parts to the frame, than country of origin. Also, I try to match the vintage of the parts to my frames.

franswa

Never trust a component that is older than you are.

Kindaslow

99.99% of people will have no idea and could not care less. Then, within the .01% that makes up bike nuts, it might be 50/50.

Get what you like, and ride more.

hardboiled718

Unless you're some sort of collector of rare and old parts it's pretentious af (even then it's pretty pretentious tho.) I get matching parts based on quality or style but country of origin seems completely asinine, especially since most companies produce parts in other countries. Guys at that shop sound like clowns

SquidPuppet

I don't care where my components are made, as long as they have grace, style, and dignity.

Night_shift

I don't really care where my stuff comes from. There was a time that location = skills, quality, craftsmanship, etc. Now that regional stuff doesn't matter so much. Was there a difference between a small batch run of a botique italian frame maker and the junk that came out of Asia in the 70s? Absolutely. Any difference between a Masi and a Mericer now? Nope.

That being said on a personal level I do like themes. Like if I had a sweet vintage Colnago i would put italian parts on it; just like if I had a really nice 80s Bridgestone, I would load it up with Suntour... etc.

motrheadsroadie

bars/stem/seatpost should all be from the same manufacturer and also the same color.