As the poster of that quote, I meant no disrespect but it seems obvious to me that Toei is imitating the French builders randonneur bikes. The frame lines, generally period correct frame building materials, paint schemes, vintage parts and racks seem to be proof enough to me what they're going for. I agree that Toei and gang do also improve and refine the old designs. Most notably, Toei goes to greater lengths to conceal generator wiring than the originals. Why? I don't know but I bet he gets off on it.
Regarding other Toei models, the Euro influence is quite strong but I wouldn't describe them as replicas. Toei puts his own spin on old designs like most other good builders do. Let's face it, it's all been done before so almost any double diamond frame is somehow similar and or influenced by something before it.
Curt Goodrich
Minneapolis, MN
Quoting from an earlier posting: "The Toei's almost across the board, are
better built and finished than
the French builders that he's imitating"
I see no indication that Toei and Hirose are merely imitating anyone. It
seems to me much more likely that they are building their idea of quality
bikes within a well established tradition of style. It is by no means that
only the first person to build something is an original and everyone else is
imitating the original. This is too narrow a conception of any kind of art.
Are the Rolling Stones mere imitators of Little Richard. Hell no! Van Gogh
was not a mere imitator of French Cave Painting (although Picasso may have
been, at times!). Artists interpret things...not ape them.
Tom Sanders
Lansing, Mi