Very simple answer to the tubing question: Reynolds is English and Vitus was French.
After WWII as the Western European economies improved people moved from bikes to motorbikes and mopeds, motorcycles and then cars. An expensive sporting bike was a luxury that only a few would spend money on.
Reynolds tubing was probably better known and more prestigious than Vitus. It probably cost a lot more in France too. Reynolds also offered a wider variety of 531 tubing.
Why did Faliero Masi use Reynolds 531?
I have no answer to the "Why are they always French" question (only opinions that I'll keep to myself).
Chas. Colerich Oakland, CA USA
-----Original Message----- From: Peter Brueggeman Sent: Thu, Jul 30, 2009 1:03 pm Subject: Re: [CR] Mystery Bike ID Help: Why are they always French?
Ben Butler said "...The biggest mystery to me is the combination of Nervex Pro lugs and Vitus tubing - it seems that even with the French bikes it was always Nervex/Reynolds, ..."
Nick March's Dutrion has Vitus tubing with Nervex Pro lugs
see http://vieuxvelos.canalblog.com/
Peter Brueggeman
La Jolla California USA