Re: Another ~ [CR]Jim Merz frames~ tangent...

(Example: Production Builders:Teledyne)

Date: Sun, 09 Jun 2002 10:56:13 -0700
Subject: Re: Another ~ [CR]Jim Merz frames~ tangent...
From: "Terence Shaw" <terence@shawscycles.com>
To: <Bill_Bryant@prodigy.net>
Cc: <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
In-Reply-To: <3D0353D2.4C11695A@prodigy.net>


on 6/9/02 6:11 AM, Bill Bryant at Bill_Bryant@prodigy.net wrote:
> He also made a "triplizer" chainring. It was a 42T that had webs that
> you could then attach a smaller third chainring to and convert a normal
> Campy NR crank to create a triple crankset w/o having to machine the
> drive-side arm a la Campagnolo did for their triple. You needed to get a
> longer spindle and rear touring derailleur, but didn't have to get rid
> of your nice Campy crankset. It was also stiffer than the TA triple of
> the era, nor did it cost as much as going to a Campy triple. Neat set
> up; at Cupertino Bike Shop we put quite a few on the road for
> customers. We also sold Merz frames and they were excellent.
>
> Bill Bryant
> Santa Cruz, CA
>
>
>
> bikenut wrote:
>
>> Another of Jim's historical footnotes is that he manufactured inner
>> chainrings for the (Nuovo) Record Triple Cranks. I think that the
>> smallest stock inner was 36 t from Campagnolo. Jim had made a
>> selection in the low 30's. I have (somewhere) a NIB 31t and 32t.
>> The package and graphics harken back to a simpler and more shop
>> crafted (read; no marketing dept) look.
>>
>> Matthew "bought a $30 NR Triple at-the-Cirque" Gorski
>> Belmont Shore, CA
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>
> _______________________________________________

The three still in the "classic era" Specialized Bicycle Imports framebuilder/product managers, Tim Nienan-did he build the prototypes and therefore the first Allezs?, great guy boundless enthusiasim and good company on a bike ride. Jim Merz-brilliant engineering mind and fit the stereotype, once told me SBI wasn't respondsable for a defective chain because "it didn't break, it came apart. Mark Di Nucci-a steel is real person who you could drink beer with and sing in unison about the crap that you'd have to sell.
     There were also about ten original era Allez track bikes made. Terence Shaw The Allez name was my suggestion and I wish I would have kept a Merz chainwheel because a 36t inner won't be adequate much longer on the touring bike. Santa Clara, California