Originally Posted by
unworthy1
+1, back then the Japanese makers (BTW, you could get an "American Eagle" AKA Nishiki about then with the same un-named chrome-moly tubing for even less than a Fuji) were in competition to establish market share against the European marques, and offering "quality" tubing to a quality-conscious public was smart. Later on Tange was offered in a #5 tubeset which was heavy, plain-gauge tubing, but at even a lower pricepoint. ...
American Eagle bikes were built by Kawamura circa 1970, with the top-of-the-line Semi-Pro and Road Compe models using an Ishiwata double-butted CrMo with extremely disappointing ride quality (heavy and soft -- been there, done that, even had a Nishiki t-shirt). Japanese tubing quality improved markedly during the 1970s, such that the higher-end Nishikis were world class by the end of the decade.
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Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
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