> one-man shops, regardless of the products, are,
>shall we say-anomalies...
> i don't want to start a thread on this, but even the
> most reknowned artists, sculpters, etcetera, whose
> names, work, and fame span centuries, worked
> with assistants and/or apprentices. it is with this in mind
> that i wonder why so many folks eschew production
> work, as if the bicycle (in this instance...) is sullied
> because it was made by the staff of...rather than by
> the man himself. often, it's <better> if it's a
> collaborative effort.
> e-RICHIE
> chester, ct
FWIW I don't eschew the production work, again to use Serotta as an example, Ben seems to have first class builders/painters on staff and builds a fine bike (the CSI). I doubt that any of us could discern between a production Serotta and one entirely built by Ben himself (and this applies to all builders I'd venture to say). For myself it isn't the production work that doesn't sit well, but more the movement away from traditional lugged steel frames. Richie I'm curious as to whether you've ever had an assistant/apprentice or has your operation always been a one man shop?
Marty Eison
Dallas, Texas