In a message dated 3/27/03 3:07:05 AM Eastern Standard Time, mark@bulgier.net writes:
<< I always thought Torringtons were made in Torrington, Connecticut, USA. >>
Thats right, Mark. But Torrington was more of a precision roller bearing
company, and sold its tooling to Monogram (of Ohio)? I think in the 80s.
Monogram spokes were the same zinc-plated spokes, but the "T" on the spoke
head was apparently removed in the dies. I built a lot of wheels with
Torrington spokes, partly because I read they were stronger than stainless,
and partly because my oldest brother worked for The Torrington Company at the
time. I don't know the history about Torrington pedals...anyone?
IIRC, French Robergel spokes used a quarter-moon logo on its zinc spokes and
an"E" on its stainless, for trois Etolie or something like that. Italian
alpina spokes were an "A" and Union was from Germany with their U in a
shield. Any corrections would be greatly appreciated...I can't believe I
even remember any of this.
I threw out a whole box of spoke boxes in a move years ago and only kept the
stainless DTs and Wheelsmiths...dummy me. Hindsight is 20-20.
Ed Kasper
Detroit MI