Herse is actually not the originator of the famed internal connection between frame and fork. That honor goes to Camile Daudon - a builder who's works are amazing. Daudon's bikes are more handworked, a bit cruder in some ways but overall are wonderfully elegant. See Jan Hein's book for details!
Mike Kone in Boudler CO
> I have a used Herse. I've riden it a bit, so I feel somewhat qualified to
\r?\n> respond.
\r?\n>
\r?\n> My response is that, no, the Herse isn't the ultimate ride.
\r?\n> The reason being is that there are so many kinds of rides to do.
\r?\n>
\r?\n> Herse is really good in the elite sport tour, light camping cyclotouring
\r?\n> categories. In the racing bike categories (Herse sportif model) there are
\r?\n> many comparable alternatives to Herse. Better/Best is in the eye of the
\r?\n> beholder.
\r?\n>
\r?\n> Herse is great because he innovated with new materials and that he
\r?\n> integrated those materials into a complete, elegant and beautiful system.
\r?\n> His products helped people feel confident using aluminum (brakes, cranks,
\r?\n> stems, hub, lights) on bicycles. His products helped people feel
\r?\n> confident about using triple front gears. His products helped cyclists
\r?\n> fee superior by using sealed bearings. The industry is moving away from
\r?\n> aluminum and into carbon fiber and I'm sure I'm not alone in being sad to
\r?\n> angry about the change.
\r?\n>
\r?\n> The one thing I have yet to see used by other makers is his "eclariage san
\r?\n> fil" (internal electrical connection between the frame and the fork).
\r?\n> Herse is the only maker I know that offered that system. I wouldn't be
\r?\n> surprised if others did it too its just that surviving examples of non
\r?\n> herse examples are very scarce. They are so few as to be considered
\r?\n> prototypes. If you have an Herse with lights in front and back you have
\r?\n> eclaraige san fil.
\r?\n>
\r?\n> I think materials choices and overall quality by today's framemakers are
\r?\n> better now than then. Because of the specialization today there is still
\r?\n> a problem with the overall system integration. Todays Breezer Bikes and
\r?\n> the Novararra Fusion (REI) are a start in the right direction.
\r?\n>
\r?\n> Todd Teachout
\r?\n> Hercules, CA