Having had a day to reflect on perhaps a rather rash decision to stop contributing to this list I quickly realised it's more difficult than I thought (sad or what ?) . From my own perspective it's probably easier to work on upping the quality from the inside rather than to moan from the outside. (just my 2d - yes that's tuppence in real money - not 2 cents :-)
Most of the bikes, components and cycle companies I am interested in fall outwith the general topics that arise on the list. 1920's to late 60's but not specifically British made is what I have a passion for. (Any contributions of early 50's Bianchi's greatfully received) In my view, and this is only my opinion, after that period the industry spent (and continues to spend) a lot of time re-inventing the wheel.
Sunday last, I had my first chance to get a good look at a 1935 Baxter
'Star' racing machine at the Museum of transport in Glasgow. This was built
by the father of a woman now living in New Zealand who got in touch via my
Flying Scot web site. It is an out and out road race bike specifically
designed for attempts on (Scottish Road Records Assoc.) standard distances -
built from Reynolds special lightweight HM tubing, with very thin lugs and
Hiduminium/Aluminium bars, stem, brake lever, seatpost, hubs, rims &
chainwheel (single speed (fixed gear). In the interests of safety & comfort
it's equipped with an early Bluemels spearpoint guard and centre-pull
Canti's on the front operated directly from a single lever in the centre of
the bars and linked by converted DB spokes. Oh and it weighs a massive 15lb
! - remember this was made 40 years before the bike boom era. If you were
able to see this machine (I'll post pictures as soon as I get more time to
photograph it) you would perhaps understand my passion for that period -
this is no clunker and with appropriate componentry the frame wouldn't look
out of place in any year of the CR "lightweight"period. - For a short story
about the framebuilder John Hamilton see my web site page at ;
http://freespace.virgin.net/
Remember most of this happened more than 20 years before I was even born - so would you really feel the need to talk about the relative merits of cycling shoes when there is so much more out there ?
Best regards & thank you to those who sent e-mails in support.
Bob Reid Stonehaven Scotland
p.s. Chuck, I've got to favour the early Velox rubber plugs (Later copied by Cateye ?)