Jan Heine wrote:
>
(cut)
> Constructeurs and fabricants (like Peugeot, etc.) entered bikes
> (separate categories for each), which were ridden by their riders,
> usually four stages on bad roads. Least points won. Points for
> weight, for anything that broke or didn't work, if you didn't make
> the average speed, etc. Bikes were very special, with every component
> reworked. Tubes were superlight 0.3 mm. Resulting bikes were more
> like 16 lbs. with lights, racks, fenders, etc. Not designed to last
> more than two or three events.
The more things change the more they stay the same. Some frames currently used in the big tours by the pros are only designed to last one stage.
Chuck Schmidt
SoPas, SoCal