Interesting article by Carlton Reid, examines the ascent of Asian bike manufacture and whether the badge of quality, automatically assigned to all things Italian in the world of bicycle products and accessories, is well-deserved or a thing of the past.

Controversy abounds I’m sure, but have a read of it and let’s see what you think. I can already confess to an irrational love of all things Italian when it comes to bikes and kit, but curiously I’m probably a traitor as I prefer Shimano to Campagnolo, purely because of the ergonomics of the shifters. My roadbike is a 2006 Bianchi 928 Carbon Ultegra and I love it. Fair and square. Curiously I don’t have any Italian fixies, so can’t comment on those. What about you out there – is it all Italian or nothing for you or can you be tempted by the Asian pedigree bikes, or even that Storck weighing in at 4.7kgs! I’d love to try it, but can’t see myself coughing up the cash for it though..