I thought the same of the various Allezes attributed to 3Rensho, but the nice ones sure are nice.
Jeff Slotkin Charleston, SC USA
On May 31, 2008, at 7:59 PM, Bianca Pratorius wrote:
> As far as 3Rensho being the house of manufacture for some Allez
> bikes and not others, I would have to call people's attention to the
> enormous variations between bikes from 3Rensho during the 80's. My
> friend, Robert Weiser, (list member) restored a red Allez and the
> workmanship on this Suntour Superbe and Specialized proprietary bike
> was exceptional. The ride was stiff, predictable and racy. My
> personal badged 3Rensho had medium point lugs, workmanship errors
> and characteristic blue fade paint. The ride is fine but the look is
> very much of a lesser quality than my friend's Allez. I doubt anyone
> can say for sure that Mr. Konno was building anything to one exact
> standard or degree of lug thinning during those 'rush to get them
> out the door' years. If Robert's Allez ain't a 3Rensho than the
> evidence is not in offset fork or unthinned lugs. No one doubts my
> 3Rensho is the real thing but rather than repaint it after self
> thinning the lugs I just sent it off to NYC so I'll have a bike
> there whenever I'm in town. It's a tough bike for the mean streets
> of the big apple.
>
> Garth Libre in Miami Florida USA