[CR]Heresy? Adding braze-ons to a "classic" frame

(Example: Component Manufacturers)

To: Dale Brown <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
From: "Jon Spangler" <hudsonspangler@earthlink.net>
Date: Mon, 4 Aug 2008 14:40:51 -0700
Subject: [CR]Heresy? Adding braze-ons to a "classic" frame

Dear CR folks,

As I consider purchasing and building up a classic bike--probably a mid-1970s Allegro--an ethical--one might even say "theological"-- question comes to mind, as the Allegros came with minimal braze-ons in the "clean" style of the times.

In order to equip and ride this bike on a regular basis, I would want to add braze-on BB cable guides, Campi shift-lever bosses, bottle cage mounts, and perhaps TT cable guides. (The frames I'm looking at will need painting in any case, as far as I can tell from the pictures, but have not been ridden much, if at all.)

Just how "heretical" would this be, and are there any other options besides using all-clamp-on components, which I found dysfunctional "back in the day." Are there any less-invasive options, such as using the plastic under-BB cable guides?

Thanks,

Jon

Jon Spangler

hudsonspangler@earthlink.net

Alameda, California USA