I got some advice (around 1971) from my first bike mentor (he rode an early
60s Frejus with the Western Wanderers or Wheelers in the 50s) to ALWAYS look
inside the bottom bracket of a frame to see if: 1) the tubes were inserted
all the way, and 2) the tubes were fully brazed. So let's just say, that was
a form of seeing where the bar was in the 50s-60s. I think one of the first
ones to really raise the bar a LOT was Albert Eisentraut. Albert took it to
another level in many ways, inside and outside. When superior quality is
available, the discerning will get it. Albert certainly inspired my building
I'm off for a week of sailing in Eugene, and hopefully Dale will temporarily
remove me so I don't have 1000 emails waiting for me when I get back. TTYL.
Stevan Thomas
Alameda, CA