Mark, I also thought this might be an aluminum frame, but like you I'm not sure why.
Regards,
Jerry Moos
Big Spring, TX
Mark Bulgier <Mark@bulgier.net> wrote:
Aldo shared with us:
> Pic of the Day
> 11 August 2006
>
> Cyclocross 1950
>
> http://www.wooljersey.com/
Cool photo (thanks Aldo), cool bike.
I don't have a lot to base this on, but could that be an aluminum frame?
Definitely bar-end shifters, at least on the left - you can see the housing exiting from under the tape near the stem. Left side would normally be for a front derailleur, so probably two chainrings? I do think I see a front derailleur cage as well. If I squint just right I imagine I see a Huret front derailleur, of the helical-activated type. And you know, that could just as well be a Huret (Louison Bobet type) rear mech right? Or do you see definitive Simplex attributes? (Robic did use Simplex in the '47 TdF though.)
Maybe two handlebar pinch bolts side by side on the stem, underneath the bar? If so that might help ID the builder, it's somewhat rare. Herse did 'em that way, and a very few others. Herse pinch bolts are vertical, in front of the bar though (and of course his stems were shaped quite different from this one).
Paging Jan Heine, we need you on this.
Mark Bulgier
Seattle WA USA