Hello, all. My name is Mike, and I'm new to this list. Per list guidelines and a friend's recommendation, I'd like to take a moment to introduce myself to the community.
Let's see, where to begin, why am I here? For me, it's very simple: I have a soft spot for lugged steel frames. Period. Can't explain it, makes no sense, but I've always had a certain respect and utmost admiration for them. When I see my friends riding Litespeed titanium and Trek OCLV frames, I think "Cool, they must be lightweight wonders with a great ride". But my eyes glaze over and I lapse into an almost zombie-like trance when I see the Richard Sachs webpage. I follow Bottechia and DeRosa frames on ebay, even though I'm not currently in the market. In today's world of compact ti, carbon, and aluminum frames, a 531 Waterford with Brooks saddle is still my ride of choice.
So I think I'd like to learn more about what came before. A friend sent a link to pics from last year's Cirque, and I absolutely fell in love with the immaculate old Raleigh with a front derailleur that shifted by reaching down and moving a steel rod back and forth.
I'd also like to keep up with those still making finely crafted steel frames. One day soon I *will* own a finely crafted steel frame, using the lightest steel tubes of today, expertly assembled by hand, using the oldest traditions and techniques.
So that's it. It's a mixed bag of nuts. New and old, current technology vs. the tried and true. Bottom line, I have this unexplainable soft spot for fine steel frames, and want to know more. This seems a good place to start.
Mike Lackey Madison, AL
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