Harry Travis wrote: But, what does it mean that Reynolds 753 was not a long-lasting material [in bikes built with those tubes?
Also noted, Tange Prestige, which "don't get no respect" from too many of us.
[ I know the modern TdF is off-topic, but allowing one third or more of all riders to crash themselves and their bikes Sunday on a portion of the course spoiled by an motorcyclists' oil spill would seem riskier than putting them on frames that might have a higher failure rate, if that is what "not a long-lasting material" meant. ]