[CR]RE: dura ace

(Example: Framebuilders:Alberto Masi)

Date: Tue, 23 Jul 2002 12:51:10 -0700
From: "ROBERT L. FREITAS" <freitas1@pacbell.net>
To: CLASSICS <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
Subject: [CR]RE: dura ace

Since I started on the wholesale end at the same time DA made its appearance, I can give a general time line. 1972 CRANE GS appeared first (if you discount the DURA ACE centerpull brakes) I think it became the a part of the DA line when they put it in the felt lined box CRANE short arm appeared just after ,as I remember late72 early73 BRAKES, CRANKS , HUBS (HI&LO)HEADSETS, DOWN TUBE SHIFTERS and FRT DER made their appearance 73/74 BAREND SHIFTERS 74/75 BLACK appears BRAKE CALIPERS, HEADSETS,HUBS,CHAINRINGS and DER bodies maybe SHIFT LEVERS

I left the BUSINESS in 79 and dont remember any PEDALS or a SEAT POST being part of the line.KKT and SR being major suppliers in those areas.

I remember the 70s as being a time when the JAPANESE BIKE IND was being controlled by a few large TRADING companies in almost a FEUDAL manner . SUNTOUR was at the disadvantage because they could not completely equip a bike (I think they did try to move in that direction later)

BIKE BIZ in this era could make a good book

BOB FREITAS
MILL VALLEY, CA