Richard,
Sorry, I mean to say the design takes into account the material and the way it is used. Some frame materials allow the design to have different shapes but still end up with a light frame which has the correct stiffness and ride. Again, steel can do this but with less design freedom. My point is that it is much harder to sell this than other materials. I know you as a builder still have a great customer base. But someone starting from scratch to build the very best frames today would have a much harder time making it in the market using steel and lugs for the frame. And here I am not just talking about volume builders, but even the small builder.
I also just saw something on CR regarding TIG welding. I don't like TIG welding on steel road bikes. But for frames made of aluminum using wash welds or titanium (Seven welding is art), I think it can look great.
Jim Merz Bainbridge Is. WA
-----Original Message----- From: Richard M Sachs [mailto:richardsachs@juno.com] Sent: Thursday, July 25, 2002 5:04 PM To: jimmerz@qwest.net Cc: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org Subject: Re: FW: [CR]Vitus Steel
snipped: "Jim Merz" <jimmerz@qwest.net> writes: Which frame is best? This is a matter of taste, but when it comes to the ride I am sure it is with current designs. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
jim.
current designs? the designs aren't that dissimilar, the bars,
saddles, and pedals are not in different places than before,
tho' their paths to get where they are may be.
don't you mean current 'materials'?
if so, do you mean when used in volume building, or
do you mean in any situation?
e-RICHIE
chester, ct