Two of my colleagues stood outside my office, poring over the bicycle parked in front. They finally came in and commented on "What an international bike you have!" 'tis true: an American-designed, Chinese-built frame hung with a French chainring and crankset, Japanese cog on an American hub laced to a much-beloved French wheel (with an Italian tyre in the rear, French on the front). The pedals are a Japanese copy of the classic Italian track pedal, with French leather straps. My California panniers mount to a gorgeous lightweight German rear rack. The stem and bars are a mix of Italian and Japanese components, mounted on an American headset. The corks stuck in the handlebar ends are American and French. And the saddle is, of course!, English.