It appears that many folks in this group love to attack the icons - I suppose everyone loves to cheer for the underdog. But sometimes a reputation is well deserved. And this couldn't be more true than for the legendary bikes of Mario Confente.
The photos of bike #29 do nothing to show the bikes character. And it is true that I've seen a Confente or two that didn't quite fire me up (one was at the Cirque a few years back with the atypical fork crown).
But in general, a Confente frame I believe, represents perhaps the greatest tour de force of lug design (among frames where lug cutouts and deliberate artistic shaping is employed). The power is in how simple yet complete the lug shape is. Others have taken the design further (Hi Peter), but the elegance and perfection of Confente's design and execution is amazing. It is hard to capture in a photo - you need to feel it.
The Nagasawa is nice and crisp, but nothing really exceptional to draw the eye into the shapes. And the Kirk frame seems as if it is trying to incorporate the basic Confente shape, but the ribs are painfully distracting to my eye. Of course the opinions of others will vary.
Folks seem to forget that Confente made his bikes "the hard way" - he brass brazed stamped lugs and did a fantastic job of it. Many builders, (but not all of course) I suspect, using that method, wouldn't have such a crisp outcome as they do with silver and investment castings. That isn't to say that Confente built his bikes in a better way, but people need to realize that there is way more time and skill involved in order to obtain the look he did out of the materials he used.
Most of the Confente frames I've seen are nearly flawless in their execution. And Confente did this while building them pretty quickly. This will probably sound snobbish, but if you don't get the "plot" as Norris Lockely would say, then your aren't looking carefully enough at a nice example of a Confente. And the vast majority are nice!
There are many wonderful frames out there - and there are numerous wonderful builders out there that produce frames of great technical precision. But Confente frames are different and in my opinion the cult is completely justified.
And one more thing - the ride of a Confente is outstanding. The handling (on the ones I've ridden) is spot-on. That is perhaps most important.
Mike Kone in Boulder CO
> OK, I'll bite. I do agree that the overall treatment of the lugs is
> excellent, but I argue that part of what makes it special is the
> rarity. I don't think the details are any better (and may be inferior)
> to a classic-era 3Rensho or Nagasawa, or current work by Bayliss or
> Kirk (I know I'm giving short-shrift to a TON of other builders;
> please forgive me).
>
> Here are a couple of examples (photos are mine, apologies for the poor quality):
> Nagasawa:
> http://www.flickr.com/
> Kirk (with paint by Joe
> Bell):http://www.flickr.com/photos/dolface/413220947/in/set-72157594574583751/
>
> galen pewtherer
> san francisco, ca, usa
>
> On 9/21/07, Jeff Slotkin wrote:
> > Out from the left with a lurker:
> >
> > If you can't see something special about (for instance) that seat
> > lug, then your looking needs practice. Maybe "better," no need for
> > "ultimate," but unique and artistic, and wow. To be prosaic, watch
> > that lug's thickness taper, and its profile defy algebra. Other
> > details look at home.
> >
> > And, sure, it is always good coin to die young, but honestly, not
> > many plan it.
> >
> > That frame makes me wish I was a millionaire, and it IS my size.
> >
> > Jeff Slotkin
> > Charleston, SC
> > On Sep 21, 2007, at 7:37 PM, Louis Schulman wrote:
> >
> > > Hi all,
> > >
> > > OK, I have spent some time studying these photos. A couple of years
> > > ago, I spent a good deal of time examining the Confente at le
> > > Cirque du Cyclisme.
> > >
> > > These are certainly finely made bicycles. But I don't see that they
> > > are more finely made than several other bikes made at the same
> > > time, and maybe not as good as a few others.
> > >
> > > The workmanship is very high...for an Italian bicycle (or an
> > > Italian bike made in America). I don't think it equals some of the
> > > work of relatively unknown English builders.
> > >
> > > I think the workmanship on my '68 Holdsworth Professional, done by
> > > the unheralded Reg Collard, is of a higher standard. It is
> > > virtually flawless. And I think the stamped Prugnat long point lugs
> > > look better.
> > >
> > > I think the lugwork on my '73 Ron Cooper is better. It IS flawless.
> > > The seat stay treatment is truly remarkable.
> > >
> > > So, what is it about Confente? The bike, or really the drama of his
> > > story? Just a continuation of this Masi infatuation?
> > >
> > > Louis Schulman
> > > Hot Tampa Florida
> > >
> > > CyclArt Shop wrote:
> > >> After over 20 years in storage, Confente #29 has reappeared.
> > >> Originally
> > >> owned by Pete Siracusa, it is a Pro-Strada 56cm in white and
> > >> yellow, and
> > >> outfitted with Nuovo Record. It is in good original condition, so
> > >> it is only
> > >> receiving a minor cosmetic and mechanical overhaul. We will have it
> > >> assembled in time to show at Velo Rendezvous on Sunday.
> > >> Frame photos here:
> > >> http://www.cyclart.com/
> > >> http://www.cyclart.com/
> > >> http://www.cyclart.com/
> > >> http://www.cyclart.com/
> > >> http://www.cyclart.com/
> > >> Greg Reiche
> > >> CyclArt
> > >> Vista, CA USA
> > >> --
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> > >> It has removed 4064 spam emails to date.
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> > >> Get the free SPAMfighter here: http://www.spamfighter.com/
> > >> _______________________________________________
> > > _______________________________________________
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> >
>
>
> --
> -galen