I think AX really started in '80-- there was some at the New York show in 1980, including the wind tunnel demo. But AX and EX(late '78) have some crossover parts-- with minor modifications, the cranks, pedals and hubs of AX and EX are interchangeable. Shimano was sending frame kits of aero tubing to almost any team or bike shop that agreed to build them up so people could see the oval seatpost, AX brakes etc in use on team bikes. They were desperate for "respectability" as racing kit-- unfortunately they never achieved this with AX stuff. That group remains my favorite because the pieces have the feel of custom, high level machinery. But racers are a conservative crew, and probably with good reason didn't want to risk a group with so much modification from traditional styling. Alan Bernstein ( overnight fall in NYC)
**************************************
See what's new at http://www.aol.com