Man or Monkey?
Last night I was out with friends enjoying a lovely evening of conversation, drinks and music. We went to the new Brinks Lounge just to see what it was like. They opened for the first time on the May 22nd and were heralded as a laid back jazz club. Jazz isn’t normally my “thing.” Don’t get me wrong. I like old time jazz like Fats Waller, Jelly Roll Morton, and Django Reinhart. But, I’m not too into the free expression, improve/experimental jazz that seems to be the form of choice amongst the learned in this town.
As it turns out, things were good. Chris Wagoner and Mary Gaines were playing. Their musicianship is top notch and I think that Mary Gaines may well posses the best combination of vocal styling and textured pipes around these parts.
The Brink Lounge itself was not yet fully open. Flooding from heavy rains a few days ago damaged the area where the stage will be. So, Wagoner and Gaines set up in the larger basement room, which kinda looks like a hotel lobby. Curt Brink was on hand to welcome people. He seems like an affable fellow, very pleased with the turn out of 50-75 people. It’s a good place to bring someone on a first date. The drinks are fairly reasonably priced. You won’t find any PBR (the cheapest decent beer was a Capital tap for $3.25, glasses ‘O vino for $5-7).
Then we got onto a conversation about how we spent our day. I spent a good 2 hours cleaning and tuning up my bike. That was my cue to proceed on a tear about how Shimano parts are absolute crap! My rear brakes and front derailleur still don’t work as well as they should. Even after taking things apart, scrubbing, greasing and reassembling with loving care. As someone once said to me, “Campy parts wear in. Shimano parts wear out.” Amen brother!
While on my tirade I got the big “whatever” dismissal sign from one of my friends. But really! The quality of bike parts has fallen into the shitter over the past 15+ years and it’s because Shimano owns the market. They're not forced to put out quality parts and so, they don't try. People are pleased to pay less for parts that will wear out sooner. Folks think they’re getting a deal up front. But, they’re actually paying more in the long run, not just because they have to replace the part sooner but they also pay in terms of performance. Campy parts get tuned up and stay tuned up (I’ll disallow cable stretch as an example to the contrary, smarty-pants). Once Shimano parts start to wear, it’s a constant struggle to keep them functioning properly. Remember, “Friction kills!” Kills momentum, that is.
Why do we settle for inferior products? We supposedly have a high intellect. Why aren’t we using it? Technologies afford us the opportunity to create fine products but we’re dazzled by low, low “smiley-face” price tags that call us to consume crap. Quality takes a back seat because we don't use our tools to the greatest extent possible. What a bunch of trogs we are!
As it turns out, things were good. Chris Wagoner and Mary Gaines were playing. Their musicianship is top notch and I think that Mary Gaines may well posses the best combination of vocal styling and textured pipes around these parts.
The Brink Lounge itself was not yet fully open. Flooding from heavy rains a few days ago damaged the area where the stage will be. So, Wagoner and Gaines set up in the larger basement room, which kinda looks like a hotel lobby. Curt Brink was on hand to welcome people. He seems like an affable fellow, very pleased with the turn out of 50-75 people. It’s a good place to bring someone on a first date. The drinks are fairly reasonably priced. You won’t find any PBR (the cheapest decent beer was a Capital tap for $3.25, glasses ‘O vino for $5-7).
Then we got onto a conversation about how we spent our day. I spent a good 2 hours cleaning and tuning up my bike. That was my cue to proceed on a tear about how Shimano parts are absolute crap! My rear brakes and front derailleur still don’t work as well as they should. Even after taking things apart, scrubbing, greasing and reassembling with loving care. As someone once said to me, “Campy parts wear in. Shimano parts wear out.” Amen brother!
While on my tirade I got the big “whatever” dismissal sign from one of my friends. But really! The quality of bike parts has fallen into the shitter over the past 15+ years and it’s because Shimano owns the market. They're not forced to put out quality parts and so, they don't try. People are pleased to pay less for parts that will wear out sooner. Folks think they’re getting a deal up front. But, they’re actually paying more in the long run, not just because they have to replace the part sooner but they also pay in terms of performance. Campy parts get tuned up and stay tuned up (I’ll disallow cable stretch as an example to the contrary, smarty-pants). Once Shimano parts start to wear, it’s a constant struggle to keep them functioning properly. Remember, “Friction kills!” Kills momentum, that is.
Why do we settle for inferior products? We supposedly have a high intellect. Why aren’t we using it? Technologies afford us the opportunity to create fine products but we’re dazzled by low, low “smiley-face” price tags that call us to consume crap. Quality takes a back seat because we don't use our tools to the greatest extent possible. What a bunch of trogs we are!
