Re: [CR] Inspired first products; Was: - Why Stronglight?

(Example: Racing)

In-Reply-To: <116222.43613.qm@web82202.mail.mud.yahoo.com>
References: <116222.43613.qm@web82202.mail.mud.yahoo.com>
Date: Fri, 21 Nov 2008 14:30:54 -0800
To: jerrymoos@sbcglobal.net, classicrendezvous@bikelist.org, "tom.ward@juno.com" <tom.ward@juno.com>
From: "Jan Heine" <heine94@earthlink.net>
Subject: Re: [CR] Inspired first products; Was: - Why Stronglight?


At 2:06 PM -0800 11/21/08, Jerome & Elizabeth Moos wrote:
>Stronglight also
>made some superb 3-arm steel cottered cranks. These were slender and ele
>gant and really not much heavier than alloy cranks from the 70's.

From what I can find in the literature, Stronglight started in 1933, with two products: The aluminum cranks (which later were renamed 49D), and the steel ones that Jerome described. Both were introduced at the same time.

The Stronglight 49D is one of those rare cases where a company's first product is so inspired that it remains unsurpassed for many decades. Campagnolo's quick release is another case. Perhaps to a lesser degree, Nivex' derailleur.

Any others?

Jan Heine
Editor
Bicycle Quarterly
140 Lakeside Ave #C
Seattle WA 98122
http://www.bikequarterly.com