Re: [CR] Dating Eisentraut bikes

(Example: Component Manufacturers:Campagnolo)

From: "Jim Ready" <jimr@rfj.com>
To: "Tom Sanders" <tom@orderandchaos.com>, <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
References: <003c01cabd30$d1822e50$74868af0$@com>
In-Reply-To: <003c01cabd30$d1822e50$74868af0$@com>
Date: Sat, 6 Mar 2010 08:21:12 -0800
Subject: Re: [CR] Dating Eisentraut bikes


I can offer my summer 1972 Eisentraut as an example that possibly pre-dates the final "A" frame style he settled on, although the distinctions are somewhat subtle.

Search Wool Jersey for "Jim Ready" for pictures of that '72 bike.

The seat stay attachment is more like a Cinelli, with a wide gap where you can see the seat bolt threads. This is the one feature that has demonstrably changed. All the others below could just be choices for a particular frame at any time.

No braze-ons save for the cable stop for the rear derailleur. Long reach front and almost extra long reach for the rear brakes required The overall finish is of course beautiful with thinly filed lugs etc.

Jim Ready Cupertino CA USA

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From: "Tom Sanders" <tom@orderandchaos.com>
Sent: Saturday, March 06, 2010 5:27 AM
To: <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
Subject: [CR] Dating Eisentraut bikes


> Seriously folks, can someone offer a few tips on Dating these venerated

> bikes? I have always heard there is no help from the builder available.

> I

> have owned one that was used by a famous female racer (In Mr. Baylis'

> possession now, I believe) and am closing in on another nice one, and have

> watched them for years and I haven't a clue as to how to date them. I

> take

> it the Rainbow Trout and Limited are somewhat later than some( Apparently

> his statement that if they have the Eisentraut name on them they came from

> his shop or family was before the advent of the Limited model?) ? Anyone

> able to shed some light on this? Did Eisentraut use that distinctive A

> Model seat post cluster treatment from an early time? Has his lug style

> changed at some point over the years? Why might one before a specific

> date

> be more desirable than a later one? Anything else I should be asking?

>

> Tom Sanders

>

> Curious in Lansing, MI USA