Ahh, at last, some real information. Thanks, Bob. OK, I'll bite. Who is Bahamontes?
JD in Napa Valley
> "Suicide Levers" were not intended as fashion item at the start. They
were
> a compromise between the combination of Randonneur bars and Guidonnet type
> tourist brake levers (located on the flat sections either side of the stem
> clamp) and the conventional drop handlebar levers.
>
> With the Guidonnet type levers fitted you couldn't reach them from the
drops
> and vice versa with conventional levers from the "tops" - Brake extension
> levers were a much maligned "good idea" I suppose in that it appeared to
> solve the problem that "sport" riders feel the need to get "nose-down",
and
> tourists "nose-up" in the pre-Sti/Ergo days - I mean why spend all that
time
> going up one side of a Col when you can't view the beautiful scenery on
the
> way down ? Unless you happen to be Bahamontes.
>
> Schwinn in 69 had almost universal fitment to all their drop-bar machines
in
> perhaps as a good compromise for the touring and more sporting riders when
> it came to choosing a model. We didn't get them till 71 when Weinmann
> brought out their version after which everything including Dawes Super
> Galaxy's appeared with them And with much initial support from the CTC
> members . So don't be too ready to throw out and condemn those levers
yet -
> you might just need them for that period correct restoration !
>
> Bob Reid
> Stonehaven
> Scotland