Paul: I've a few very early pieces of alloy. A 1930s Constrictor adjustable stem that is NOS. Got in on Ebay last for not a lot. Just don't think anybody knew what it was, Also an early Maillard Course alloy 14-22 Freewheel.
Peter Naiman Glendale, WI
"Dr. Paul Williams" <castell5@sympatico.ca> wrote: Morning all,
Here's a topic to chew over for the weekend maybe. I have been busy gathering 1940s and 50s British parts for my current project. In the process, I was struck by the fact that certain parts were being made from alloy quite early on - brakesets, stems and bars, seatpins, rims, lamp brackets, etc. - whereas chromed steel still held sway for some time with certain other parts - especially those associated with the drivetrain. When do we start to see the earliest alloy chainsets (excluding perhaps the rings), freewheels, pedals, hubs, etc.? And, how succesful were the early alloy components?
I may be wrong but I have also noticed that continental stems - Titan, Ambrosio, Cinelli - were still steel through this period?
Paul Williams
"curious" in Ottawa, ON, Canada