Conference noted::bicycle

    la-la land.
    
    Though Nashbar or Performance might take advantage of the difference
    and MIGHT pass along the savings.
    
    Don't hold your breath though.
    
    ed

    
    The last time the dollar got strong vs. European currency (mid-80's, I
    think) prices never seemed to fall.  They just didn't go up as rapidly.
    With the dollar strong vs. lira, and falling vs. D-marks and yen, who
    knows what will happen.
    
    Of course, a falling dollar leads to a great hoopla of "gotta pass
    these pesky price increases on to the consumer".  I think that having
    your third cousin in Rome buy something for you would be about the
    only way to make any headway.  I wouldn't expect any windfalls.
    
    Will

>    Of course, a falling dollar leads to a great hoopla of "gotta pass
>    these pesky price increases on to the consumer".

ain't it the way. a falling dollar and prices go up  - a rising dollar and
prices ... go up. 

>I think that having
>    your third cousin in Rome buy something for you would be about the
>    only way to make any headway.

damn, no cousin in italy. do have a cousin in poland though. maybe i should
stock up on those polish made pama hubs.

    The lira has weakened, but from a VERY strong position against the
    dollar.  Now it stands at the high end of the range it was in when I
    was in Italy (1988-1990).  I wouldn't expect prices to be "bargain
    basement" anytime soon....

    
    
    
    I think the only way to take advantage from actual lira weakness is buy
    Campagnolo equipment in Italy, but also here the price are not so low.
    
    I don't know the road-bike market very well, but I can assure you that
    prices on MTB Equipment (italian made, obviously) are quite the same
    here and in USA, reading at the priced claimed on magazines as MTB
    action. Think that in some cases italian equipment costs less in USA
    
    ( Marzocchi suspension forks, are a tipical example of that : 
    
    		Italian price for PF1 model 560.000 L.
    		USA price for XC100 model 340$ = 420.000 L. 
    		PF1 and XC100 are the same model, only difference is
    		the name ).
    
    Anyway, at this time you can get an opportunity. I can figure as your
    third grade italian cousin (!!), I can ask for you, to my "bike stuff 
    pusher" prices of devices you want ... and then ...
    
    Bye from Rome.
    
    Luc
    Luc

    I'll be going to Italy for a couple of weeks (from U.S.).  I thought
    it was a good time to resurrect this note.  In a nutshell, if I pass
    a bike shop, will it be worth my time to go inside?
    
    My bike is all Dura-Ace right now, but I can be seduced ; )
    
    
    Robert

Italy has the best clothing and the best frames in my opinion, and ANY bike 
shop is worth entering (!!!!).  Be aware they are unlikely to speak anything 
but Italian even in the larger cities, and remember they are wary of credit 
cards and cheques - you can normally get a better deal with the folding, 
although their bigger notes are like the front page of La Stampa.  Check out 
on the exchange rates as late as possible - look at the Reuters note in EF93, 
and take a list of converted US prices with you.  Just one more thing - watch 
out for Italian threading, especially in bottom brackets!

Have fun, and if you are a real American, go easy on the Espressos, you could 
still be twitching a month later....

    Thanks for the advice.  You _nailed_ the situation.  In the U.S.,
    I paid around $100 (US) for a pair of Sidi/Genius (rachet strap).
    In Rome, I got much stiffer carbon-soled shoe for $60 (US).  It 
    was a brand called Diamant(e) and was SPD compatible.  
    
    This was the first time I'd seen this brand.  It took a plastic adapter
    plate to fit a LOOK system.  I'm not concerned because it goes in a 
    place that doesn't get any wear.  One can even be engineered if I lose
    them.
    
    I also got a short sleeved Ariostea jersey with a sort of terry lining
    on the inside.  It softens up the jersey, and I've never noticed it
    on jerseys here.  In other words, our jerseys inner surface is the same
    as the outer.  The zipper opened all the way down to the waist and 
    zipped on the left instead of the right (for braking while zipping).
    All of these features for $35.  It is hard to get even a generic
    jersey for that price in Atlanta.
    
    r�
    

The furry inside seems to be popular over here, my "Coppi" jersey is like
it, as is another I bought in Decathlon.  I like them because they do
have a bit more substance to them and are not like wearing a plastic bag.
They wash like a charm, they both recommend COLD wash so read the label.

By the way, did you try the Espresso's ???     ;>)

    Yeah, I tried the espresso, but I'm not your typical yank.  My
    parents are naturalized citizens (from Cuba) so I'm first
    generation.  I rarely drink espresso because few restaurants
    have the gadgetry that it requires.  I do like it.
    
    My wife (who is "anglo") jokes that when you asked the italians for
    a cup of "American" coffee, you just got a bigger cup of espresso!
    I noticed that they seem to serve only two or three table spoons.
    My family tends to "top-off" the demitas cup.  
    
    It is great stuff.  It is usually dissapointing here because when
    you do get it, it is prepared by someone who doesn't drink it.

> Does EVERYBODY in Europe Smoke?

No. It just feels like it.


Rod