Re: [CR] San Diego framebuilders show

(Example: Framebuilders:Jack Taylor)

In-Reply-To: <mailman.1731.1271170818.10037.classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
References:
From: "John" <torup@sbcglobal.net>
Date: Tue, 13 Apr 2010 09:30:07 -0700
To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
Subject: Re: [CR] San Diego framebuilders show


James Valiensi wrote-

I liked the Electra hubs so much I got a set of the track hubs - a very cost effective version of the Campy's. Jan Hein did give their parts a good review in the latest Bicycle Quarterly . But the owner of Eletra went through considerable efforts to get these parts made the traditional way, and I'm very happy with the results. One thing Jan did not like was the fact that Eletra was copying other designs, but if you think about it, how many respected vintage component makers have copied the Campy Nuovo Record crankset? Suntour, Shimano, Miche, Mavic, Ofmega, Sugino - have I left anyone out??

Yes, Galli.

Actually the Electra stuff is different, the road hub is a freehub, not what Campagnolo did. The track hubs are double threaded on one side for a cog and lock ring and single threaded on the other for a freewheel. The bearing choices are completely different too. From 20 feet away, they do have a family style to them.

Maybe it will prove a market, and Campagnolo will consider some styling again or retro appearing parts.

I was able to attend for a short but reasonable length of time on Saturday, with the young Master Jorgensen along. Brian Baylis's blue and gold frame I had seen before, still handsome. The work of Townsend Cycles was impressive, I really liked the fork crown on the raw unpainted track bike he had on display, a type of twin plate crown in visual, square shoulders, and an arched lower plate. It was good to see Campagnolo, Electra, Cane Creek and Speedplay there, having some component makers taking the show seriously is good.

My crit of the show would be that while it provides a local flavor, bikes and frames are open structures, it is hard to visually isolate them when viewing and or taking images, of which I did not. Only one booth really tried to provide a backdrop, if worked but only when the bike was viewed in complete profile. The curtains aside, guys, the carpet is way too visually busy to not hide!

John Jorgensen
Torrance Ca USA