Re: [CR]Craft vs. Machine building

(Example: Component Manufacturers:Avocet)

Date: Fri, 02 Mar 2001 16:59:06 -0800
From: "Brian Baylis" <rocklube@adnc.com>
To: Ed Braley <edbraley@maine.rr.com>
Cc: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
Subject: Re: [CR]Craft vs. Machine building
References: <200103021530.f22FUPA29005@troi.cc.rochester.edu> <003201c0a35b$e45808e0$65865d18@maine.rr.com>


Ed,

There's not much else to know. It's a hedious way to build bikes even under production conditions, and yet it obviously "works". Amongst production bikes and methods, that would probably be my least favorite.

Brian Baylis


>
> Raleigh "ring brazing"...
>
> In "The Custom Bicycle", by Kolin and de la Rosa, on pages 86-87, there is
> description of the Raleigh "ring brazing" technology. According to the book,
> ring brazing was used to build production frames at the Worksop factory
> where most all of the Reynolds 531 frames were made. They put rings of brass
> between the tubes and lugs, tacked them together with copper, and then
> heated whole sections of the frame at one time by machine, causing the brass
> to melt and flow into the joint. The copper melted at a higher temperature
> than the brass, and kept the frame together until the brass set up.
>
> Does anyone know more about this?
>
> Ed.
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Douglas R. Brooks" <dbrk@troi.cc.rochester.edu>
> To: "Classic Rendevous" <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
> Cc: "db" <dbrk@troi.cc.rochester.edu>
> Sent: Friday, March 02, 2001 10:30 AM
> Subject: [CR]Craft vs. Machine building
>
> > Classicists,
> >
> > I think all framebuilders I have spoken with agree that modern
> > cast lugs and the quality of tubing nowadays is indeed an improvement
> > over what was made in the early classic lightweight era. It strikes
> > me as ironic that now that technology can create the best materials for
> > lugged steel bikes we have ever seen, what we have instead are toothpaste
> > TIGed aluminum...
> > That said, I confess to riding techno-zoot bikes and liking them, though
> > I have clear, reality-driven everyday preferences for things classic.
> > But all that said, have a look here if you have patience for
> > the download (or a cable internet connection that makes this come
> > right up...spoiled me):
> http://www.bicycleworldusa.com/video_01/default.htm
> >
> > Here, at Bicycle World USA's site, you will find a series of videos
> > featuring Colnago bicycles---the only ones this shop sells. In the
> > particular video I have in mind you will see a steel bike placed
> > on a machine that "pre-heats" the welds, leaving them glowing as
> > it turns to the human welder who finishes them off.
> > One wonders why Colnago/BW-USA thinks that this is something
> > they would like to _show_ people: assembly-line, quasi-automated
> > production for the world's "finest bicycles." Where is the craft
> > left in this? I spoke with Grant about this a few days ago
> > and he mentioned that he knew the machine, the company that made
> > it for Colnago, and that other Italian makers apparently use it as well.
> > I have no expertise or qualification to comment on the merits
> > of this process but the whole matter defies my more romantic
> > visions of Sachs, Baylis, Bohm, et.al.(short list) enacting
> > their careful craft. What might have Confente thought of this?
> > (rhetorical, of course)
> > Perhaps the better cast lugs and modern tubes make this
> > assembly-line process okay for building straight, functionally
> > okay bicycles, but it is sure ugly to my eye.
> > I don't mean to disparage modern Colnagos (though I share
> > Steven Sheffield's suggestion in reply to Brian's Private View),
> > but Colnago must think that this "heights of technology"
> > presentation is obviously meant to inspire us.
> > I doubt that production lugged steel in America (Serotta, Waterford,
> > any others?) would think this is inspiring to potential buyers.
> >
> > Classic content question: Were there any production line style
> > machines making bikes in the era of our interests?
> >
> > trying to stay on mission here, but darn curious what
> > others think of old style building techniques in contrast to these
> > modern ways,
> > Douglas Brooks
> > snowy, snowy today Canandaigua, NY