[CR] Professional v. International

(Example: Production Builders:Tonard)

Date: Sun, 18 Apr 2010 12:53:57 -0700 (PDT)
From: "john strizek" <lyonstrings@yahoo.com>
To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
Subject: [CR] Professional v. International


I believe that the niches for these bikes are different in that the Professional was marketed as a racing bicycle. Personally because of the slightly longer cranksets on all models (172.5 v. 170"normal) and short coupling, that the Professional is best suited to criteriums.
     The international is longer and for day rides and tours. I do not believe that long tours are its forte, in theory. I say that because the sew-ups / tubulars as originally equipped, were not the usual choice for tourists in my day. It does lend itself to touring as a very comfortable rider. It may best be thought of as a fast tourer or randonneur type. It is curious that there were two types of fork blade curves offered. One with longer upper length before a quick bend at the bottom. The other is a more graceful curve more like the Professional blade (the fork crowns are different from Pro' to Inter'.
     ciao baby and happy trails, john strizek sacramento california in the USA