I agree with the single mindedness of the editor and the "French lugged Steel". In one article, he writes about his 2007 Paris-Brest http://www.bikequarterly.com/PBP2007.html . He finished it in 50 hours. He's no slouch considering that's 770 miles. He's got credibility in my book and the Randonneur type bike is very appealing to me.

My first good bike at age 11 (1950) was French lugged steel with a three cogs on the back and a real dérailleur. It climbed far better than the Brit bikes with the 3 speed hubs some of the other kids had. It was an oddity in the US at the time. My previous bike had wood rims.

Al