Bruce Thompson asks about Emanuel Lowi's "KOF tribute frame with replica #1 Super lugs:"
Is this a 'vintage' Ephgrave or a reproduction?? BT
in response to Emanuel's post:
A KOF tribute frame with replica No. 1 Super lugs:
http://www.wooljersey.com/
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ First, it is a beautifully crafted frameset, lovely to behold, and with very nice photos. My compliments to the chefs, eh? :-) From Emanuel's words, I assume this was recently commissioned and built (who did it?)
Still, I find myself a bit concerned, despite the elegance of the execution, since it bears Ephgrave decals, and distinctive little details like the keyhole seatstay eyes. Certainly an area in which we can passionately differ in our opinions, but questions like these rattle around in the abscesses of my skull: Did Les Ephgrave ever build with cantiflex tubing? Or campy drop-outs? Etc? There are "authorized" Hetchins being made now. Is this "authorized," or just Emanuel's way of honoring what Ephgrave might have made today? Decades from now, after it's been repainted but the provenance has been lost, can you imagine the arguments on the 2030 CR list about who built this bike, and when it was built? :-)
So, while celebrating the care and skill behind the project, and its lovely execution, I'm still not sure that I like it. What do ya'll think?
harvey sachs
mcLean va.