Re: [CR]OK, Clark Kents were cool, what is the story on TESCH

(Example: Bike Shops)

Date: Thu, 15 Nov 2001 00:24:14 -0800
From: "Brian Baylis" <rocklube@adnc.com>
To: Mark Petry <mpetry@bainbridgeisland.net>
Cc: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
Subject: Re: [CR]OK, Clark Kents were cool, what is the story on TESCH
References: <BNEPINBIKJLICLKFBJACEEIMDCAA.mpetry@bainbridgeisland.net>


Mark,

Do you want the whole story, or the freeze dried version? I'll give everyone a semi complete account shortly. The brief but colorful history of Dave Tesch is worthy of documenting since his stint with Trek and Masi in San Marcos took place prior to 1985 and he worked with traditional steel tubes and lugs from start to finish. Dave Tesch built road frames that were for all intents and purposes track bikes for the road and designed for racing and racers only; he had no interest in anything else. I personally have 3 Tesch frames; all of which are one-of-a-kind, two of which were not finished by Dave but inherited by me. One is a "stayer" track frame and the other is a male/female tandem. The third is a custom "S-22" fillet brazed track frame that Dave and I built together using his exclusive True Temper S-22 tubeset.

Hope this is not another can of worms; but as before I have to report what I know as faithfully as humanly possible. If there are differing opinions (pretty much a guarrentee) then we'll have to hash it out. The "snippets" you have heard are most likely only half true. The only foul play involving Tesch that I am aware of happened after he left his own company ( how does that happen?) and was working for someone else. Dave was not responsible for the events caused by the people who he worked for. Dave is an intense personality but passionate about his work and very sincere. Unfortunately he was so intent on making a name and a large company for himself that he got involved with investors that lead to his downfall. There are many Mario Confente-like parrallels between what happened to Dave and what happened to Mario. Both cases are sad and involved great men. There's much to be said for staying small time and not working for anyone as a framebuilder. Mario had no choice; if he hadn't been working for a company in a capacity that no American could technically fill, he would have had to return to Italy within 6 months of termination. Mario wanted desperately to stay in the US. He was always here on someone elses dime. Under those circumstances you don't get to call the shots. I'll try to make everything clear and precise.

Brian Baylis La Mesa, CA
>
> OK, I rode a Tesch one time and was very impressed with it (was riding a
> ritchey custom at the time and there was NO comparison) but would like to
> hear from the southern california contingent about the demise of this marque
> and the man behind it. I know there is a story here, and have heard
> snippets of a mass market buyout and some foul play, but don't have the full
> scoop. Anybody know ?
>
> VINTAGE CONTENT:
>
> After spending a miserable 10 days in San Diego at some fleabag flop of a
> hotel (Del Coronado) and suffering thru airline security check hell, got
> home and IMMEDIATELY rode the pogliaghi along Agate Passage on Bainbridge
> Island, where I witnessed a Cecil B. deMille / God production of a flaming
> sunset over the distant Olympics. A 1 1/2 lane road next the to the water
> with the mountains of the moon in the background. If you could imagine a
> postcard from cycling heaven you'll get the picture exactly.
>
> =====================================================
> Mark Petry 206.618.9642
> Beautiful Bainbridge Island, WA
> mpetry@bainbridgeisland.net
> =====================================================
> "The most beautiful experience we can have
> is the mysterious... the fundamental
> emotion which stands at the cradle
> of true art and true science."
>
> Albert Einstein
> =====================================================