Listen - many bikes that are highly beloved by members of the CR list were considered trendy cash cows by their manufacturers.
To be honest, I don't care about the motivations of a mass producer, as long as an appealing product is the result. (For a modern, steel frame, you can probably imagine what I would consider appealing.) As for low volume, custom/bespoke frame builders, I think they would continue to exist - and fill a niche - regardless of whether they can use 953 or the ultra lightweight stuff from Tru-Temper.
But your mileage - and opinions - may vary...
Fred Rednor - Arlington, Virginia (USA)
> Ahoy !
\r?\n>
\r?\n> Merely citing a possible scenario; not necessarily
\r?\n> endorsing it.
\r?\n>
\r?\n> Could the production of steel bikes be related to profit
\r?\n> margins? That is: low cost labour, low cost production,
\r?\n> geographic location and "ermerging economies" favours use of
\r?\n> steel ? Cheap to make, trendy cash cow. No sensitivity to
\r?\n> the "soul" of the steel bike so, no KOF desire at all.
\r?\n>
\r?\n> Ah, but each and every bike is a good bike. Of course,
\r?\n> Timeline & KOF are the best. Everyone knows this. : )
\r?\n>
\r?\n> Richard Cielec
\r?\n> Chicago, Illinois; U.S.A.
\r?\n>
\r?\n> oroboyz@aol.com wrote:
\r?\n> << Do tell us more about the lugged bikes - is there a
\r?\n> revival of
\r?\n> steel-lugged frames? Are we going to see more KOF bikes in
\r?\n> the style
\r?\n> which fits within the CR (KOF) parameters - especially with
\r?\n> the
\r?\n> introduction of Reynolds 953? Were there any frames built
\r?\n> with 953 at
\r?\n> Interbike? >>
\r?\n>
\r?\n> I think that the lugged frame has it's niche... The young
\r?\n> crowd,
\r?\n> seeking alternatives to what they see as a glitzy, yuppy,
\r?\n> elitest
\r?\n> cycling scene, have embraced steel both lugged, filet brazed
\r?\n> and
\r?\n> tigged. This is still a relatively small group but certainly
\r?\n> more than
\r?\n> the babby boomer folks (us) who have appreciated this style
\r?\n> bike all
\r?\n> along. There is no question that vintagesque bikes and bike
\r?\n> components
\r?\n> are having a modest revival.
\r?\n>
\r?\n> I did not notice a 953 tubed frame but there very well may
\r?\n> have been
\r?\n> one.
\r?\n>
\r?\n> Dale Brown
\r?\n> cycles de ORO, Inc.
\r?\n> 1410 Mill Street
\r?\n> Greensboro, North Carolina 27408 USA
\r?\n> 336-274-5959
\r?\n> http://www.cyclesdeoro.com
\r?\n> http://www.classicrendezvous.com
\r?\n> Giant, Specialized, Orbea, Felt, Landshark, Pinarello,
\r?\n> Colnago, Townie
\r?\n> and other exotica.
\r?\n> National Bicycle Dealers Association Board member
\r?\n>
\r?\n> -----Original Message-----
\r?\n> From: castell5@sympatico.ca
\r?\n> To: oroboyz@aol.com
\r?\n> Cc: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
\r?\n> Sent: Tue, 3 Oct 2006 9:07 AM
\r?\n> Subject: Revival of lugged-steel? Was: [CR]2006 Interbike
\r?\n> pics... Many
\r?\n> many!!!
\r?\n>
\r?\n> Hi Dale or other Interbike attendees,
\r?\n>
\r?\n> Do tell us more about the lugged bikes - is there a revival
\r?\n> of
\r?\n> steel-lugged frames? Are we going to see more KOF bikes in
\r?\n> the style
\r?\n> which fits within the CR (KOF) parameters - especially with
\r?\n> the
\r?\n> introduction of Reynolds 953? Were there any frames built
\r?\n> with 953 at
\r?\n> Interbike?
\r?\n>
\r?\n> Enquiring minds would like to know!! ;^)
\r?\n>
\r?\n> Cheers,
\r?\n>
\r?\n> Paul.
\r?\n>
\r?\n> Paul B. Williams, MPhil (Wales), PhD (Queen's)
\r?\n> 70 Viscount Ave.,
\r?\n> Ottawa, On, K1Z 7M9
\r?\n> ph: 613-761-3867
\r?\n> e-mail: castell5@sympatico.ca
\r?\n>
\r?\n> ----- Original Message ----- From:
\r?\n> To:
\r?\n> Sent: Monday, October 02, 2006 12:21 AM
\r?\n> Subject: [CR]2006 Interbike pics... Many many!!!
\r?\n>
\r?\n> >I have just published a BIG batch of pics, taken by Ryan and
\r?\n> myself
\r?\n> at the >Interbike in Las Vegas a few days ago.
\r?\n> > There's something for everyone!
\r?\n> >
\r?\n> > Many lugged bikes ...Bruce Gordon (incl. new alluminum
\r?\n> brakes),Phil
\r?\n> Wood > w/Newvex lugs, Masi replica, Pegoretti, Vanilla,
\r?\n> Berthoud,
\r?\n> Nagasawa, > Fondriest, and CR list group pic & more!
\r?\n> >
\r?\n> > Enjoy!
\r?\n> >
\r?\n> > http://www.cyclesdeoro.com/Interbike/2006/show_report.htm
\r?\n> >
\r?\n> > Dale Brown
\r?\n> > Greensboro, North Carolina USA