Re: [CR]First machine built wheels

(Example: Framebuilders:Chris Pauley)

Date: Sun, 24 Apr 2005 09:51:18 -0500
From: "John Thompson" <JohnThompson@new.rr.com>
Organization: The Crimson Permanent Assurance
To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
Subject: Re: [CR]First machine built wheels
References: <C8201EA1-B3DD-11D9-A829-000A95DCF800@earthlink.net>
In-Reply-To:


Bianca Pratorius wrote:
> I have read that machines used to build wheels are expensive, but
> machine built can be, if properly used and set up, just almost as good
> as hand built. From my own experience I would tend to trust the hands of
> a seasoned expert though. When did these machines come into being, and
> did they find acceptance in the world of quality lightweight bikes
> during the say 70's and 80's?

Trek got a Holland Mechanics robot (through Sturmey-Archer, IIRC) in the early 80's, maybe 82 or 83. It built fairly decent wheels, but we hand-tuned all of them after they came off the robot.

--
John (john@os2.dhs.org)
Appleton WI USA