In a message dated 1/25/2005 9:06:51 AM Eastern Standard Time, corgwyn@erols.com writes:
<< Well, without realizing it, I finally got myself a collectable bike. A really nice red 3Rensho from the Bobish bike list. I just bought it 'cause I liked it & it was inexpensive. I think it's outside the timeline, but that's ok. I still like it. But now I like it a little more. Thanks, Dale-you made my day! :-) >>
The 3 Rensho frames, especially earlier ones, have really great workmanship. The lugs are carefully re-profiled, filed to extremely thin tips and the "joinery" at the dropouts, seat cluster etc shows a level of handwork that rivals the finest frames ever made. As the company became more successful and could afford it, they made investment cast frame component bits and "plug in" dropouts, all of which are cool in their own right and work great, but did not require quite as much handwork. I like all the varieties but think that the earlier stuff with all that TLC are the more interesting from a craft point of view.
Nonetheless, IMHO 3Rensho will always be a very special marque.
Dale Brown
Greensboro, NC