Just thought I'd chime in on the '2nd-tier bike' thread....as a mere pup in the early 70's (my first race was the 'Citizens Race' at the Paramount Criterium, on my 'Raphael Geminiani' garage-sale score), I spent a lot of time haunting the local shops, trying to find bargains (or just to waste time, and harass the LBS staff with my endless questions!). Back then, a lot of the big manufacturers offered what were called 'Amateur', or 'Semi-Pro' bikes. Peugeot offered the PA-10, and the PR-10; both 2nd tier alternatives to their 'big brother', the PX-10. Lejeune offered the 'Semi-Pro' model, at about half the price of the classic 'Team Issue' model.Windsor offered the 'Carerra Sport', which used Sun Tour & other Japanese parts, as opposed to the Campy stuff on the 'Professional' model. The less-expensive bikes had the same geometry (and some of the same parts) as their pricier bretheren, but relied on using 3-tube '531' or cr-mo frames (or even straight-guage, in the PA-10's case), and an imaginative mixture of parts that could also be described as '2nd-tier'....names like Pivo, Milremo, Triplex, Balilla, Atax, et al- to keep the price down. I raced on the PR-10, and the PX-10, and except for the inferior performance of the cheaper derailleurs (and tires) on the PR-10, I felt little difference in ride quality. This sales strategy has changed a lot in modern times- since the advent of S------o's lock on the international market, bikes are these days described in catalogs by the gruppo that they carry; they are '105', or 'Ultegra', or 'D-A' bikes. The Campy-equipped bikes are called 'Centaur' or 'Chorus' or 'Record bikes- the builder's identity seems to have become secondary to the name of the components used, to most consumers....enough ranting, I am still looking for some gold-anno 'Super LJ' bz-on levers, and I have a few goodies to sell- 1) Zeus '2000' road pedals; Ti spindles, Ti cages, BSC, excellent condition, $105 shipped in USA 1)GB '531' spearpoint stem, 110mm, w/ GB 'Tour of Britain' engraved bars, both in truly outstanding condition, $210, shipped in USA.
Pics available, PayPal only. Larry Myers, Portland, OR, USA
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