Dear Doug, I should have worded that better, British equipment was possibly the best kit up until the mid 50's, don't include our derailleurs in this they were hopeless throughout the years. Oh and why we are on the subject of gears not many racers used Sturmeys post 40's I know there is the notable exception of "The Boot" but lets face it he could do a comp record on a New Hudson butchers bike! Why we are on the subject of bikes and not the man I always thought it very sad that the "Lotus" bike took all the credit and not Chris for those epic rides. No BSA kit was the norm on track bikes even the Yankee 6 day riders had enough common sense to fit this stuff rather than Schwinn just check the pictures. This goes for the Frogs and other Johnnie foreigners as well. What I meant was circa 1960 continental kit was far far superior to our out dated steel stuff not for nothing was continental kit called Gen Gear. Surely you must remember the convenience of those early el cheapo Gnutti QR hubs even with the rubbish chrome, what a breeze to take a wheel out on a cold Winters morn to change a tube after puncturing. Boot's Frank
Frank Cohen Hoxton UK