Please check out this recently completed auction:
URL:
http://ebay.com/
I was interested in these bar plugs for an all-French build for my McLean frame as it already has Phillipe bars and stem. Um, but not at this price. BTW, are Milremo plugs French? How about GB?
And I've also been watching this Bruce Gordon frame:
URL:
http://ebay.com/
The Gordon has another day to run so it will probably, I hope, fetch more than the Philippe plugs. However, IMHO this just illustrates the insane fanaticism with all things Herse, Singer et al. A pair of bar plugs are rivals in value to a Gordon frame? That's insane. I know, I know, it's just the market speaking but markets can, have and will be insane too. I know that the French contructeurs/builders were innovative, used all the little custom braze-ons/accessories and certainly built nice frames. However, when one considers only build quality did they ever build a frame better than a Gordon, Merz, Baylis, Sachs, Weigle et al? And I'm talking late 1970's/early 1980's just to keep things apples to apples. It's unfair to compare nearly anything earlier to what the top American builders are brazing now, my apologies to the rest of the world. Bruce, if you're out there would you care to comment on the quality of some of the famous marquees compared to yours? Any comments from other builders?
Oh, if you missed out on the Philippe plugs Alex M has another pair up on E-bay now. Although they don't appear to be in as good of condition.
URL:
http://ebay.com/
Now if I could only remember where I put my flame-proof suit.
George Allen Lexington, KY USA
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