Dale wrote:
>
> FWIW, in this set sold at auction, the fork crown was not a Nervex Pro
> but a Wagner, (even more popular with neo-classic fans, ala Toei,
etc.)
> Also, while the lugs and fork might be occasionally seen, the BB
shells
> are less so. Making that ensemble worth $300 + - to quite a few folks.
Did you notice that's not the matching BB shell though? Maybe the shell is an even-rarer, more valuable one (I don't recognize it) but the non-matching shell and crown is why I didn't bid.
I have no problem with the price, this auction or the seller, I just like the matching Nervex parts more than the shell and crown in this auction.
Yeah the Wagner crown has a crisper look and there's more you can do with it - room for artistic expression. The Nervex crown pretty much has to be used nearly as-is and will always show signs of its humble origins as a bent-around piece of sheetmetal. I just have a sentimental attachment, and like the stylistic matchup with the lug curlicues. Plus it's technically better from an engineering standpoint, with its tubular cross-section - better strength to weight ratio.
Also easier to braze. Not that the Wagner is a particularly hard to braze item, but with its solid not hollow connector between steerer and blade pockets, there's a cold lump of metal there that takes longer to get up to flow temperature. Forks I've cut apart often show a lack of penetration there, on crowns of this type. Not fatal - in fact, where the brazing void would be on a typical rushed/cold Wagner job, the Nervex won't be brazed there either, because that's where the crown is hollow -- the blade doesn't touch crown there. However the Nervex has more surface are elsewhere to make up for it. Full brazing with no voids is still important on any crown for other reasons I won't go into here.
As you've no doubt concluded already, I'm being totally nitpicky, and the crown and shell in this auction are lovely rare items. The final price was a little high compared to other recent auctions but not unreasonable. Congrats to seller and buyer.
Mark Bulgier
Seattle WA USA