Hi,

Lots of great stuff! Last summer, I picked up a 77 Limited with a full Galli group set as a bike in a box. It had a crappy rattle paint job, therefore, I haven’t worked on it while trying figure out what to do about the paint. I’ve decided to build it up with the current finish, just to see how it rides. So far I have only built the wheels with Velocity rims.

I know, I know, it doesn’t exist until there are pix. These will come as soon as I get it together.

Cheers,

Van

The Rainbow is a great bike. I have one I got from an old friend about 5 years ago. Mine is a bit different with 3 top tube cable guides instead of the exposed cable under the top tube. It's my favorite C & V ride for fast group rides, is a head turner and handles like a slot car. I haven't found a "Show me your Eisentraut tread," so one of these days I need to tell its story in its own thread.

I was watching this one too but being in Portland, it was more of a casual viewing. I knew it wouldn't be me who nabbed it.
Now that I see images, you scored big. Great group set on every level. Thanks for saving this one! Now, saddle up (on?) and enjoy the ride!

Somebody on another thread called one of these a Rally, which of course would make it a late model Rally so to speak.

Nice frame and score all around. Get some mileage on it!

Eisentraut had dies made to stamp the spade shaped cutouts into the lugs with a small punch press.

There are a lot of stories about the origin of the Limited series frames. One credits a collaboration between Albert Eisentraut and Georgetown Cycle and Sport in Washington, DC (GCS).

Eisentraut was selling his frames through them in the mid 70's and came up with the "semi-production" Limited model. He also produced some frames with Alpine decals which was one of the GCS house brands. Here's a Limited frame with Alpine decals.




I see you have a Stone's Cyclery sticker on you frame. Several different style 'trauts went through the shop in the past few years before Dennis passed away last summer.

I remember a white Rainbow plus this lugless KOF in Molteni colors built in 2011. (that's my Holdsworth in the background)



According to Dennis the frame was built mostly by Albert Eisentraut's son.


verktyg

Chas.

I believe I am remembering this correctly - Ed Litton told me that he shared Albert's space with him for a time, and they both worked on the Rainbows and each also made custom frames under their own names.


I think, but am not positive, it is a last-gen (3rd?) Rally.

Who knew our dddd was a Brautigan fan?!?!

A rather old discussion, but I really appreciate it and the provided links. Thanks to everyone who contributed to the conversation. What brought me here was a chance meeting with a cyclist this week on a Baylis. Didn't know anything about him, so I perused a little more history of US frame building.

When I worked for Chris Kelly in the early 'aughts, it was nice to see Albert wander in from time to time to visit. The first time he came in, I didn't really know who he was. I was quickly schooled on a tiny bit of his history and my respect for the Eisentraut name, brand, and person was earned immensely.

I really enjoyed the 1987 article. Funny how so much of what was written and lamented about then is as true today, if not moreso. Which only means true craftsmen the likes of Eisentraut will ply their trade through a love of quality and not money. Too bad we've denigrated the trades to the point where they're never considered a true "career path," but more of an after-thought or landing pad for someone who considers themself a failure at their true dream(s).

Anyway, my reason to post was to say thanks.