It has to be said that there was definately a 'fear' of alloy components in the early days, I know of several older clubman cyclists who wouldn't use alloy at all for stressed components. During my own research into all things cycling in the North Derbyshire area from around 1990-1965 ish I came across one chap in particular ,a rider of some repute and no small experience riding thousands of miles a year who helped set up the Alfreton section of the CTC in 1929. He in the early mid 50's bought as a 'package' an E.Allen of Ripley /Derbyshire clubman cycle, Reynolds 531, Nervex pro lugs,SA 3 speed rear,Williams steel cranks,Weinmann rims,GB bars, stem,brakes....because of the sort of chap he was and rather than get the shop to change them he did it himself, replacing the rims with Dunlop steel,brakes with Circa1938 Monitor Shureline? brakes, bars with Lauterwasser stype steel, BSA? steel swallow neck stem(extension) and also replaced the alloy guards with Bluemells celluloid.Most of the components came off his old 30's Rudge that had been 'retired'. This was told to me by his son who still has the bike(but will not part with it-yet!) .
Steve Chambers
Chesterfield
England.