Re: [CR] 531 decals-other languages

(Example: Production Builders:Teledyne)

From: "R.S. Broderick" <rsb000@hotmail.com>
To: <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
Date: Wed, 25 Nov 2009 09:45:15 -0800
In-Reply-To: <a062309d0c733002457ab@[67.100.222.170]>
Thread-Index: Acpt6JTQHfoeuXEmR8+bWUAGWx6AGgAC9y2A
Cc: heine94@earthlink.net
Subject: Re: [CR] 531 decals-other languages


Jan,

It comes as absolutely no surprise to me that Reynolds offered a lightweight 5/10 mm version of their 531 tubing prior to its "official" debut and 531 SL designation in 1975 given their history of providing specialty products to those customers who both sought same and were willing to pay accordingly. However, as far as I am aware, no distinction in decaling or official product designation was ever made for any of these lightweight offerings until the year 1975.

That said, I publicly acknowledge that the time period in question pre-dates the scope of my own "expertise" as it might be considered. And I too look forward to reading whatever some of the other CR List members might have to contribute in this regard.

Robert "consider this not a double butted rebuttal" Broderick ...the "Chronically Cloudy Clime" of Oregon Portland, USA

-----Original Message----- From: Jan Heine [mailto:heine94@earthlink.net] Sent: Wednesday, November 25, 2009 8:06 AM To: rsb000@hotmail.com; classicrendezvous@bikelist.org Subject: RE: [CR] 531 decals-other languages

At 2:29 AM -0800 11/25/09, R.S. Broderick wrote:
>However, Reynolds 5/10 mm tubing was introduced in 1975 as 531 SL (...i.e.
>Special Lightweight) coincident to release of 753 (...which does happen to
>measure 3/10 mm at its thinnest point).

While the "SL" name probably does date from 1975, the lightweight 531 tubing is much older. I have a spec sheet for a 1947 Alex Singer that lists "5/10 mm" and the bike carries a Reynolds tubing sticker (see "Golden Age of Handbuilt Bicycles" p. 55).

The "3/10 mm" tubing was already available in the 1930s, as it was used on many bikes in the French technical trials.

Was the lighter-gauge 531 only available in France? (My sources in France all claim that the "3/10 mm" 531 was a French exclusive, but nobody ever told me that about the "5/10 mm.")

Looking through the V-CC's reprints of builders' catalogues ("Lightweight Catalogues, Vols. 1-3), I only see references to "Reynolds 531" in the descriptions, but no other distinctions.

Considering the many different and even custom tubes (Cantiflex etc.) made by Reynolds for British makers, I would be surprised if they only offered "7/10 mm" tubing in their catalogues.

I am sure some of our British members know the answer.

Jan Heine
Editor
Bicycle Quarterly
2116 Western Ave.
Seattle WA 98121
http://www.vintagebicyclepress.com