Re: [CR] SPEEDWELL TITANIUM 1973

(Example: Framebuilders:Doug Fattic)

Date: Tue, 23 Jun 2009 16:09:33 +0000
From: <gholl@optonline.net>
In-Reply-To: <a06230906c66697f723cb@[68.167.191.159]>
To: Jan Heine <heine94@earthlink.net>, Classic Rendezvous <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
References:
Cc: Classic Rendezvous <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
Subject: Re: [CR] SPEEDWELL TITANIUM 1973


http://tinyurl.com/http-tinyurl-chttp-om-mjppla

This will direct you to photo of Ocana on a Speedwell during the 1973 TdF. This bike was only used during one or two mountain stages. On his right find Fuente ("Tirangu") on a great Masi (Kas) with wrap-around seatstays and a very cool color scheme.
George
George Holenberg MD
CT, USA


----- Original Message -----
From: "Jan Heine"
Date: Tue, 23 Jun 2009 10:33:00 -0000
Subject: [CR] SPEEDWELL TITANIUM 1973
To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org


> >I redesigned the decals to commemorate Luis Ocana, the 1973
> TdeF
> >winner, who rode (allegedly) a Speedwell on the mountain stages
> of
> >the Tour. They were made for me in Calfornia, and very
> authentic too.
>
> In Le Cycle, Daniel Rebour reported that Ocana had won the Tour
> on a
> Motobecane with Reynols 531 "5/10 mm" tubing, but that he rode a
> Speedwell in the time trials. Considering that neither Rebour
> nor
> Motobecane had any commercial interest in making this up, I
> believe
> that Ocana really did ride a Speedwell. At the time, this
> generated
> quite some interest in titanium as a material for frames and
> components.
>
> At the time, Campagnolo's Super Record components initially were
> rumored to be made from titanium for all the black parts (pedal
> cages, chainrings, headset, etc.) Of course, those were
> aluminum,
> just anodized (painted?) black, and titanium was used only for
> pedal
> spindles, hub axles (I believe) and BB spindles. And it appears
> the
> black chainrings and headset never made it into production either.
>
> Anyhow, titanium was the hot thing in 1973.
>
> Jan Heine
> Editor
> Bicycle Quarterly
> 140 Lakeside Ave #C
> Seattle WA 98122
> http://www.vintagebicyclepress.com
> _______________________________________________
>

George Hollenberg MD
CT, USA