I am not so sure that Hirose or Toei are really getting the better of the finest Herse bikes on the framebuilding details. From about 1948 through about 1954 there were some Herse frames that are right on the money with respect to framebuilding details. Crisp lug definition, near perfect brazing, and all done with sometimes handmade lugs! In later periods, fanatical frame workmanship was somewhat less common. But, when Herse died and his son in law took over, the level of workmanship was generally very high. But talk is cheap - so next year at the Cirque with the French theme, I expect there will be some French booty in Greensboro that will do more than talk the talk. Mike Kone in Boulder CO
> I have a great deal of respect for the Hirose along with the Toei rando
\r?\n> bikes that I've seen. They have all of the details like the original French
\r?\n> rando bikes but with generally better execution of framebuilding details.
\r?\n> This Hirose kicks some serious French booty and I like French booty as much
\r?\n> as the next guy. Look at that fork rake. There must be a mile and a half
\r?\n> of offset! The curve starts low and continues through to the drops. This
\r?\n> is very attractive to me.
\r?\n>
\r?\n> Curt Goodrich
\r?\n> Minneapolis, MN