Re: [CR]Disappearing traditional bikes

(Example: Framebuilding:Norris Lockley)

Date: Wed, 4 Apr 2007 16:44:33 -0700 (PDT)
From: "sandranian" <sandranian@yahoo.com>
Subject: Re: [CR]Disappearing traditional bikes
To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
In-Reply-To: <c70.f29ad21.33458b50@aol.com>
cc: Jonathanadamgree@aol.com

I read the initial email differently than Chuck and Jonathan.

It seemed to me that the point of the Doug's email was as to main-line "production" bikes, not the specialty builders which are, according to Jonathan's email, growing in numbers. I agree with Doug's statement regarding "the feeling of [being] once a proud owner of popular make is all but gone." All of the high-end Bianchis, Treks, Cinellis, Gitanes, Peugeots, Raleighs, etc. etc. are all made of composite materials. While you still can buy a steel frame produced by some of the major manufacturers, they are not the top end racing machines - the same goes for the materials used for the compenent systems. These changes in production techniques have produced lighter and more efficient racing machines (eeek!). If you show up to a race today on a steel machine, you are a "throwback"...or too "poor" to afford the latest bling.

So while steel, lugged bikes may still be produced by a "growing list" of builders, they are not reclaiming a place at the front of the pack or the mass market, but rather carving a small niche, appealing to those who enjoy custom built bikes that have character, and not Taiwanese-built disposable bikes...which, in the short term at least, are "faster!"

At least that's how I interpreted Doug's email....

Stephan Andranian Costa Mesa, CA http://www.GitaneUSA.com

Jonathanadamgree@aol.com wrote:

I'm with Chuck on this. I'm also more excited about the future of frame building than I am the past.The choice of lugs and tubes are expanding again, and the number of young builders using them is increasing. The future is brighter than it has been in years.

Jonathan Greene Oviedo FL

In a message dated 4/4/2007 5:36:49 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, chuckschmidt@earthlink.net writes:

I actually have the opposite view Doug. There has never been a better, more rosy time to be a lover of fine bicycles. There are more artful builders of lugged steel bikes now than at any other time in past one hundred years. And you can still outfit a new bicycle without any of the new components being made of plastic if that's your desire.

Plus... you can pick from the past hundred years of bikes already made if you like the role of conservator (or just run the things into the ground if not).

Chuck "the cup is full" Schmidt South Pasadena, CA USA

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