Re: [CR]Witcomb Cycles

(Example: Framebuilders:Mario Confente)

From: "David Goerndt" <davidg@iag.net>
To: <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
References: <001801c4decd$f4fd00e0$0100a8c0@nicxgvy35gwhj9>
Subject: Re: [CR]Witcomb Cycles
Date: Fri, 10 Dec 2004 20:31:57 -0500


Since the tune has shifted, slightly, from Masi to Witcomb, I'll pass along my brief encounter with Witcomb frames. While attending college in the late 60's, early 70's, I purchased my first 10 speed, a Peugeot UO-8 (I thought that it was the bomb!). At the time I didn't know anything about what was good and what was mass market junk. One day I attended a local race with the local hot racer winning that particular contest. I found out that he had a bike shop that he and his family ran out of their garage. One day I road over to the shop for a visit and my education into lightweight frames suddenly entered graduate school. Imagine a "bike shop" in a one car garage with a counter up front with all of the latest Italian aluminum goodies, bikes in racks in the back and wheels hanging from the ceiling along with frames with names I'd never heard of. I was bitten. Suddenly, my UO-8 was an embarassment next to all of the sleek, beautiful frames. I had to get something lighter. The hot ticket then was Witcomb with their large simple graphic on the downtube and colors the frames came painted, a big change from white!. Anyway, all of the local racers were getting custom made frames from England. I believe the price was $125-150 for a made to order frame. I got my PX 10 built at that shop because the owner got a Witcomb and sold the PX 10 frame to finance the Witcomb. I lusted for a while, but couldn't justify that much money for just a frame!! I still have the PX 10, but never got the Witcomb. I did, however, join the Masi club.

David Goerndt
Orlando, FL