I think Joe's message and the other recent ones that relate to identifying Reynolds 753, etc. hint at the reasons why builders of quality frames have frequently left off decals and insignias for the tubing used in the frames' manufacture. If a frame is light, strong and properly aligned, does it really matter what's on the decal? Consider, too, that there are frequently legitimate reasons for using different types/grades of tubing in the same frameset.
There are lots of misconceptions on this subject. Remember
e-Richard Sach's constant reminders that 531 is a meterial
specification rather than a tubeset? By the way, one of the
messages in this thread - Gilbert's I believe - mentioned that
Durifort is a special grade of Reynolds 531. My recollection
is that Durifort was made by the same manufacturer as Vitus,
perhaps before the company was called their tubes Vitus. I
think it's akin to Columbus Cromor or perhaps even Reynolds
501. But whatever the tubing used in those Gitane frames, it
didn't prevent him from enjoying those bicycles and I'm sure
that once the frames were built into complete bikes, the
weights were essentially the same regardless of which brand of
tubing was used. Of course this assumes that equivalent
wheels, cranks and derailleurs were mounted on the frames.
Best regards,
Fred Rednor - Arlington, Virginia
> Were all Gitane Interclubs Reynolds tubing? I have
> an early 70's model that has no tubing decal. I am
> guessing it to be somewhere from '68 to '73 by the
> decals and components. One thing that stands out on
> this frame is the oversized seat stays, about 15mm
> in diameter. It seams pretty light, but it
> has no sign of any tubing decals.
>
> Joe McKishen
> Vineland, NJ
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: <CYCLESTORE@aol.com>
> To: <classicrendezvous-request@bikelist.org>;
> <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
> Sent: Sunday, April 04, 2004 11:25 PM
> Subject: [CR]Re: CR Reynolds tubing?
>
>
>
> In a message dated 4/4/04 9:48:34 PM,
> classicrendezvous-request@bikelist.org
> writes:
>
> << I'm looking for a Reynolds 531 decal for my early 70's
> Witcomb that I
>
> am working on. If you can help, please contact me offlist.
>
>
> Thanks -
>
>
> Brad Potter
>
> Augusta, GA
>
> Its Masters Time!
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
>
> Date: Sun, 04 Apr 2004 18:48:31 -0700
>
> From: Bob Freitas <freitas1@pacbell.net>
>
> To: CLASSIC RENDEZVOUS <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
>
> Subject: [CR]REYNOLDS 753
>
> Message-ID: <4070BAEF.3000001@pacbell.net>
>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed
>
> MIME-Version: 1.0
>
> Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit
>
> Precedence: list
>
> Message: 18
>
>
> I there a way to ID a bike built with this tubing? NO
> decal is present
>
> BOB FREITAS
>
> MILL VALLEY,CA
>
> >>
>
> Hello,
>
> Id the tubing; it's easy. Sand off the paint on each end of a
> tube.
>
> Most quality bike tubing is stamped at the short butted in
> with the makers
> name. YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO CHOP OFF the non label end with the
> longer butt
> when
> sizing the tube for the frame.
>
> Once while modifying a well known frame with me old boss
> Jeffrey Hutchinson
> we filed off a downtube cable stop near the bottom bracket.
> The Reynolds
> sticker was low on the seat tube. After sanding a bit it
> seemed the braze
> had
> flowed in the letters and they stood out beautifully in a
> golden hue and
> the
> letters spelled out D-U-R-I-F-O-R-T. This is an extra
> special, ultra
> lightweight
> model of Reynolds 531 used in many Gitane Interclubs as I
> recall.
>
> Very nice tubing indeed.
>
> Yours in Cycling,
>
> Gilbert Anderson
>
> North Road Bicycle Company
> 519 W. North St.
> Raleigh, NC 27603
> USA
> Toll Free Ph: 800â¢321â¢5511
> Local Ph: 919â¢828â¢8999
> E-mail: cyclestore@aol.com
> _______________________________________________
>
>
> _______________________________________________
__________________________________
Do you Yahoo!?
Yahoo! Small Business $15K Web Design Giveaway
http://promotions.yahoo.com/