Originally Posted by
88prelude
Here's a cool catalog for Ishiwata tubing from the early 80s (
Ishiwata Tubing Catalog circa early 1980's). I didn't know they made a 15, 17, and 19 steel as well. The difference in weight between the 22 and 24 is .2 kg or about .4 lbs for an entire double butted frame and fork - not sure how that calculates with Reynolds 531 but I'm guessing the 24 is about half a pound heavier?
I read somewhere that Ishiwata actually made the Valite tubing for Fuji. Anyone know if that's true?
Valite is indeed rebranded Ishiwata. I forget the exact tubeset name.....maybe ELO or something or other? Valite was specifically designed for use with robot brazing.
the difference between .022 and .024 sounds very similar to 531 and 520. honestly, dropping half a pound on a steel frameset is/was quite a feat.