French Ebay seller Sceno 32, based just SW of Paris, very close to Orly aitport if anyone is thinking of popping over to Paris to pick up this frame, is selling a lrage randonneur frame built by the rapidly-becoming-popular Parisien builder Louis Pitard.
*Item No 320286811095* ** Friends who have bought Pitards tell just how good the frames are, but in terms of method of construction Pitard departed from the almost traditional method of bronze-welding and, instead used what appear to be prettified Oscar Eggs.
Much of the very follows very tried and tested designs with most of the usual braze-ons being used. There is however one aspect of the design that I would like Listers, particularly those who are fond of randonneur bikes, to comment on.
Very c;learly Pitard had a very good reason for brazing the studs for the rear MAFAC cantilever brakes forward of the brake-bridge, while the norm, and what I tend to think is the better place, is to have them rear of the bridge.
I have tried both sites for the studs and have, on occasion, but only rarely, used both on the same frame at the same time, though I have never attempted that on the front fork, although I have seen a Basso frame at the Milan Show with that configuration.
Does anyone have on strong feelings on this subject and, very importantly, can anyone convince me why this forward position has advantages of the standard one?
Norris Lockley
Settle-on-Ribble
UK