In a message dated 4/8/2003 1:33:44 PM Eastern Daylight Time, kurtsj@mtco.com writes:
<< A quick question: why were straight bladed forks a mistake? Functionally, or aesthetically?
FWIW, when I saw a couple of these frames, I was impressed, as well as encouraged that a high-end lugged frame was being marketed again by a large manufacturer. >>
Opinions are like ___ but at that time, I was interested in seeing the design that Match was contracted to build for Schwinn. I also was excited to see a big company try a lugged steel top of the line product. Probably the last we will ever see!
The design of the lugs was a backwards glance to Waterford Paramounts and earlier, married to Tim Isaac's own design proclivities.
The Nervex and Waterford influence exists in the little points on the sides of the lugs.....slightly "fancy".
Isaac's influence is obvious in his low-behind-the-lug "fastback" fastening method as he used at Trek and in his own custom frames from many years before. In addition we can see Tim's expertise in high production techniques in the production-aiding "plug-in" lugs.
In my opinion, the straight forks are completely cosmetic.
I was disappointed that the cast lugs were minimally cleaned up in the building process.. On many frames, seams and signs of the casting process were readily visible. As with older Nervex lugged bikes, there was not any if any filing or shaping. This again, is typical of frames "built to a price."
But, this Match built frame is now brief chapter in the tortuous history of this famous lineage...
Dale Brown cycles de ORO, Inc. 1410 Mill Street Greensboro, North Carolina USA 27408 336-274-5959 Fax 336-274-6360 <A HREF="http://www.cyclesdeoro.com">cyclesdeORO.com</A> <A HREF="http://www.classicrendezvous.com/main.htm">Classic Rendezvous</A>