Richard Cielec wrote, in part:
>>>I am generally aware that bicycles were constructed of mixed tubing
to acheive particular ride characteristics. And, some of these "mixed"
bicycles offer excellent rides.
May I ask those who know the tubing mix of their bikes if they would offer comment - what tubes, year, make, model of bike, how the bike rides, etc..?<<<
I have a copy of the original build sheet for my '83 Stan Pike, which specifically lists the type tubes used in each part of the frame. Even though the frame sports a Reynolds 531SL red label, the tubing mix is as follows:
Reynolds SL - top tube, seat tube and head tube Super Vitus - Down tube, seat and chain stays Columbus - forks.
I think it was very common for builders, especially small out-put builders, to use whatever mix of tubes suited their vision of what they were trying to create. (Or were they just using up what was lying around the shop?)
My Pike, as built, is surprisingly light, given the mix of components and the fact that weight was no consideration at the time. The components are a mix of Gipiemme/Modolo (crank/seatpost/brakes), N-Rec (shifters/derailleurs), Record (hubs/BB), Galli (rims), Edco (headset), 3ttt (stem/bars). I've never weighed the frame, something I'll do some day for all my bikes (yea, right). My Pike is a great riding bike, and one of my favorites. Of course, I haven't put thousands of miles on it either. I've ridden it with two different wheelsets, the Rec/Galli set mentioned above (15g - 32 hole 3x) with UFO tubulars, and Rec/Sun clinchers (15/16 butted - 32 hole, 2x front, 3x rear) with Continental somethingorothers. One thing to remember is that the wheelset/tire combination probably has a lot more to do with the way a bike "feels" that the mix of tubing (at least IMO).
Wayne Bingham
Montevideo Uruguay (temporarily)