The early pro racers wee all inveterate card players in the evening and on rest days.Some famous Italian racers were even associated with different suites.Art Link,San Antonio,TX,USA
Doug Fattic <fatticbicycles@qtm.net> wrote: Date: Fri, 27 Oct 2006 01:29:13 -0400 Subject: Re: [CR] Why do many frame builders use deck of cards images on bikes? From: Doug Fattic <fatticbicycles@qtm.net> To: "classicrendezvous@bikelist.org" <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
I think the primary reason is because they are a simple design that is attractive. There are not many design candidates available that meet that criteria. A cutout adds to the overall impression of a frame. It suggests more effort and thought went into it and even appears to make the frame lighter (even though it doesn't really). It distinguishes and identifies a frame in a favorable way from it's less worthy competition.
When I was making my first frame in England, I put a lot of thought into what might make a nice cutout. There are not many options. I settled on doing a fleur-de-lis. While that design is not complex, it is tricky to get the curves and proportions correct in the small area available on top of a lug. Eventually I discovered how to put the owners initial in the down tube lug and felt that when everything else was plain and simple, it provided a nice custom touch. I cut them out with a jeweler's saw and files. I've gotten a number of saws over the years to do this task but my favorite was made by Eclipse that I bought in Bradford, Yorkshire, UK while I was learning.
Doug Fattic Niles, Michigan, USA
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