In a message dated 3/26/03 5:44:01 AM Pacific Standard Time, heine@mindspring.com writes:
> Of course, the Campy NR seatpost was designed for Italian racers. So for an
> average 1960s Italian racer (5'7"?), on a 1960s bike (isn't that when the
> alloy one came out), it'll be in the middle of the adjustment range. This
> looks different for you, being 6'4" - you'll have to extend the post to the
> max to replicate those proportions. I guess the "shorty" posts that we find
> so useless in this country were for rather short riders, where they make
> sense.
Just a detail, steel seat posts were made from 1956 through 1959, so the
alloy ones were generally available in 1960 and were probably around in the
Italian peloton somewhat before that. Pssst... I'm only 6'2".
>
>
> That said, I don't think you can do the "bars as high as the seat" position
> Rivendell advocates, elegantly with a frame sized like a racing bike. My
> opinion (and please treat it as such): If you want a randonneur position,
> size your bike as a randonneur. If you want a racing position, size your
> bike as a racer.
I guess I spoke before I knew exactly what the Rivendell position was. My
bars are usually 3 1/2 inches below the seat, so getting them up to 2" below
is enough of an accomplishment for me.
>
>
> Finally, some custom steel stems break, too. I won't name names, but
> locally made product (Seattle) has been known to fail. Of course, many
> modern stems with removable face-plates have an abysmal record. But
> fortunately, those are outside our timeframe.
>
Thanks for the warning! A shameless plug for Ed Litton: if he makes a steel
stem it won't break. I saw a Cinelli steel stem the other day that had a
major twist in it, no cracks. Vintage quality...!
Stevan Thomas
Alameda, CA