Re: [CR]Little known builders; Sam Braxton

(Example: Humor:John Pergolizzi)

Date: Sat, 16 Jun 2001 15:03:25 -0400
From: "Martin O. Walsh" <mowalsh@erols.com>
To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
Subject: Re: [CR]Little known builders; Sam Braxton
References: <dd.15f6df0e.285959a1@aol.com>


Dear "CR" List, Sam Braxton framebuilder and owner of "Braxton Bike Shop" in Missoula,Montana,USA was quite the opinionated character I expected when I met him at his shop in 1988.Sam Braxton used to write a column for the old non-profit 501-c touring organization "BikeCentennial" now going by Adventure Cycling in Missoula,Montana.I had read Sam's articles in BikeCentennial publication regarding mostly touring bicycles,gearing and what did and did not work as a result of his perspective of running a bicycle shop since the 1970's at the "crossroads of cross-country and world touring cyclists"(Missoula).Sam had worked for the railroad in Missoula and got into the bicycle business in the 70's.BikeCentennial started in 1974 in Missoula, to organize a cross-country bicycle tour of the USA,for its bicentennial in 1976.I think some 3,000 bicyclist's started the cross-country trip from either coast in the inaugural year of the new organization.List member Bob Freeman,of Elliot Bay Bicycles was one of the leaders that first year.I'm sure we have more list members who got bitten by the bicycle bug after touring the USA by bicycle.I got my chance in 1988 when I met Sam Braxton while passin' thru Missoula and trying to get the shimmy out of my non-vintage Cannodale touring bike.Sam built up 48 spoke rear and 40 spoke front Phil Woods on Super Champion 700C clinchers, replacing the stock 27'' Sansin hub/Weinnman setup.He also installed a Phil Wood bottom bracket under warranty from Cannodale.While spending a couple of days in Missoula waiting for the repairs I met several owner's of Braxton Bicycles and the all loved their bikes.Braxton bicycles seemed to be a "local secret'.I don't think Sam built that many bicycles.Sam died in the early 90's of cancer.His son and wife kept the shop open for a couple years then it closed down last I heard.Adventure Cycling may have an archive of their newsletter/magazine where Sam's Bicycle Column appeared for a couple years.I would say the content of those articles would hold great classic content for the mechanics of touring bicycles from the 1970's and 1980's when Sam probably saw more fully loaded touring bicycles than we'll ever see in a lifetime.Meeting Sam Braxton was one of the highlights of my trip in 1988 across this great old USA.Yours truly,Martin Walsh in Vienna,Va.