Fw: [Classicrendezvous] Sparrow Touring Frame and Redcay Refurb

(Example: Production Builders)

From: "Robb Rasmussen" <bikeshop@ispchannel.com>
To: <Classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
Subject: Fw: [Classicrendezvous] Sparrow Touring Frame and Redcay Refurb
Date: Mon, 16 Oct 2000 15:05:35 -0500


----- Original Message ----- From: "Robb Rasmussen" <bikeshop@ispchannel.com> To: "Joseph Bender-Zanoni" <jfbender@umich.edu> Sent: Monday, October 16, 2000 11:34 AM Subject: Re: [Classicrendezvous] Sparrow Touring Frame and Redcay Refurb


> Hi Joseph:
>
> I worked for The Cyclist in Missoula Montana
> after Dennis Sparrow returned from his 6 month
> internship at Geoffrey Butler in England in 1975.
> Dennis turned out superior frames very, very
> slowly. Not suprisingly, he only built for about
> a dozen years. I have a Sparrow he built for
> me with Columbus tubing in 1978. Dennis built
> both touring and race bikes. The shop he was
> affilliated with and he parted ways in the late
> 70's and he was on his own and then half owner
> of New Era Bicycles in Missoula. I understand he
> sold out and the shop subsequently closed a couple
> years ago. Dennis is now doing computer tech support
> out of his home last I heard. Any more info wanted?
>
> Robb Rasmussen
> Sioux River Cyclery http://www.501main.com
> 501 Main ave
> Brookings, SD 57006
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Joseph Bender-Zanoni" <jfbender@umich.edu>
> To: <Classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
> Sent: Monday, October 16, 2000 11:18 AM
> Subject: [Classicrendezvous] Sparrow Touring Frame and Redcay Refurb
>
>
> > My Witcomb USA project was so successful I bought this frame for a
> > workhorse to preserve the Witcomb. Typical CR response to any problem- buy
> > another bike.
> >
> >
> http://ebay.com/<blah>
> 3
> >
> > Does anyone know anything about the builder- Sparrow in Missoula, Montana?
> > Kind of off the beaten track in terms of building a reputation.
> >
> > The Jim Redcay is progressing well at Spectrum Cycles. Jeff Duser called
> me
> > to discuss some of the details. Because the bike had stainless lugs,
> > regular cable guides and probably 50K miles the top tube was corroded
> under
> > the paint. Since I was going to have the brake cable run through the frame
> > to match the derailleur cables, the decision was made to replace the top
> > tube entirely. Jeff felt it was easier to install the cable tube and I
> > figured it gave the best chance to fight corrosion at the lug/paint
> interface.
> >
> > Jeff worked with Jim, both at Redcay's shop and I think at Ross. I guess
> > that adds an additional element of authenticity to the renovation.
> >
> > Also it would seem that Spectrum does not have much of a backlog as they
> > started this within two weeks of receipt. On the other hand, Peter Weigle
> > is not really seeking repair work except on his own frames and Witcombs.
> He
> > moved to a new shop and is backlogged on his frame production.
> >
> > Joe Bender-Zanoni
> > Ann Arbor, MI