[CR]Re: The VeloSport Eisentraut

(Example: History:Norris Lockley)

From: <NortonMarg@aol.com>
Date: Thu, 12 Feb 2004 10:23:28 EST
To: wickedsky@sbcglobal.net
cc: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
Subject: [CR]Re: The VeloSport Eisentraut

In a message dated 2/11/04 10:43:23 PM Pacific Standard Time, wickedsky@sbcglobal.net writes:
> <Was it a red one about 61 cm with vertical drop
> outs?>
>
> I believe that was the one. As you walk in the front
> door, continue forward and then make a right and you
> will see a glass counter/part's case. Hanging above
> and to the left of the case is the frameset in
> question. I do remember it as red, but the lugs may
> have been white--I cannot remember. The guy I spoke
> with was the owner and probably 50+ years of age.
>
> We actually talked about price, but I would have no
> way to prove this frame was in fact the first one ever
> built by A-E . I also remember that there may have been a dent
> in the top tube.............
>
> I recall you live in Alameda. Might be worth your
> time to check it out. I looked at all of the lugs on
> the CR page and none of them match the ones on the A-E
> frame. But I did sell an old Carlton frameset to a
> list member a while back who in turn showed said
> frameset to Hilary Stone at the 2003 Cirque. H-S
> confirmed that it was indeed a Carlton and probably
> made in the 1950's. The old Carlton had very similar
> lugs on it.........but not identical.
>

Hi Ted, If it's the one I'm thinking of, I bought it on ebay with the intention of trading it to Peter Rich (and gave him a really good deal on it) because I knew he didn't have any VeloSport frames in his collection. I think his original intention was to restore it, and use it as a window display. The one I got for him has Campagnolo vertical rear drop outs, has been repainted (not very well, way too thick) has slight crash damage and needs the front tubes straightened a bit. I think there is also a dent in the toptube.

There were two guys building frames at Velo Sport. I believe one was Brian Decker and the other was Albert. Peter Rich set them up to build "in the back of the shop" and it was supposed to really put the shop on the map and be great for cycling. I don't think a lot of frames were ever produced, for whatever reason, Albert moved out and hung up his own shingle and Peter lost a lot of money on the deal. I could check with Ed, he may recall how long Albert was at Velo Sport, but I think it was only a few years.

When I bought the frame, I took one look at the filing on the lugs and knew it was an Eisentraut. I showed it to Ed Litton (who used to share shop space with Albert) and HE said it sure looked like an Eisentraut. I think he talked to Albert about it, and Albert said it sounded like something he built at Velo Sport. In any event, Albert's still in the area and could certainly verify this.

In my mind, the real value that that particular frame has is if it's restored to the original VeloSport livery. As such, it's a scarce representative sample of Albert's early work, and a testamonial to Peter's dedication to the sport locally, that also included producing the first local stage race, the "Tour of California" in 1971 or 1972.

Just my opinion, but in it's current state, the frame is not a good bet to resell and make anything on.
Stevan Thomas
Alameda, CA