Dale wrote, in part:
"No mater what cut-off point I chose, someone would argue it wasn't correct and that I should change to include their favorite era... 1983 is, in a way, even better with the phasing in of Mtbs.... and the increase and acceptance of welding.... and the phasing out of NR/SR and incoming C-Record.... Incoming clipless pedals, cycle computers..... Incoming "aero" stuff including Dura Ace AX..... yada yada..
Dale Brown Greensboro, North Carolina "
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Your point about pointless arguing over the CR time-limits is well-taken. However--with no intention of starting an endless thread on the subject--wouldn't 1984 or 1985 make more sense? That's when friction shifting started to fade away...and to me, that was the end of the classic lightweight era. There were many fine classic bikes, by any standard, made between 1980 and 1984...
Charles "it was over by '85" Andrews Los Angeles