Excellent article on the construction of high quality bicycles...
 

Actually I think it's a book detailing the construction of high quality bicycles but it's a great read so far and written in 1979 so it covers a period of great interest to many of us: http://icelord.net/bike/thecustombicycle.pdf

I found this about Raleigh frame production especially interesting:

"

In the 1960s Gerald O'Donovan devoted much of his energy to
finding lighter tubing for bicycle production. He looked first at
carbon

with his carbon fiber frame led him to other exotic materials."

thanks for posting the link.
not only do i remember this book, the authors were my coaches for a time and featured prominently in the seattle racing scene, particularly Marymoor velodrome.
unfortunately, iirc, there seems to be sections missing ,most notably featuring Ugo DeRosa and Masi.(perhaps in a later edition?)
also very nice to read the write-up on Harry Quinn , from whom northwest builder, Bill Davidson apprenticed

Thanks!

Great reading, thanks!

Very cool, thanks!

this is amazing! thanks!

Anybody know what came of this Cinelli design? Last I checked we were
still using 700C wheels...:D

Cino believes that a new bicycle design is needed as the
cobbled and bricked roads are being replaced by smoothly surfaced
roads. His new design includes steeper angles, but he
believes the design must incorporate smaller-diameter wheels to
accommodate the steeper angles. Since the position of the rider
must be altered, it is necessary to incorporate certain changes that
will give the rider optimum efficiency. This is done by providing
longer cranks (about 180 to 185 mm.) and raising the bottom
bracket height. This, however, must all be designed to conform
with Cino's smaller-diameter wheels, smaller rear triangles, and
shorter forks. The reduction of the size of the components will, in
simplest terms, increase the rigidity, aerodynamic efficiency, and
stability of the modern bicycle.
According to Cino, the wheel size that riders are presently
using was developed to traverse cobblestones. Smaller-diameter
wheels were found to fall between the cobbles, created vibration
problems, and tended to break easily. Large-diameter wheels (like
the old high-wheeiers) were unstable and aerodynamically inefficient.
As the cobbled roads in Europe disappear, a small wheel
becomes an advantage for several reasons: decreased wind resistance,
decreased rolling resistance, increased strength and rigidity.
Cino believes that the optimum size of the wheel is approximately
26 inches (66.7 centimeters) and to prove his theories he
has had special lightweight rims and tubular tires manufactured
for his prototypes. As a result of the increased strength gained
through the reduced spoke length, he has had special narrow hubs
manufactured to further decrease wind resistance.

There is some interesting info on the Proteus bicycle in there.....

Thanks for the link.....I'm going to get a copy off Amazon now.

Yes, I have the same book/edition, (1979) Da Rosa, etal are not mentioned.

Regards,
J T

Thanks for the link.

fwiw- mike and denise were co-owners of THE premier cycling shop in the pacific northwest in those days, Northwest Cycle, located across the street from the original REI store. They'd often bring in inventory of "unknown" european framesets direct from the manufacturer that were otherwise unavailable in the US. - they were very well respected for their coaching, and their complete dedication to promoting bicycle racing in the region with perhaps their best known 'pupil' being Rebecca Twigg.

Yes, thanks.

a note, C.N.C. (CNC) in the book, was indeed a hidden maker of many a pro's rides. So was Gemini, also near Paris. Possibly due to the translation and for other reasons, C.N.C. did use silver elsewhere, had access to the lighter Reynolds tiube sets, 3/10 and 5/10 .3mm and .5mm in the unbutted regions. They also used Vitus tubes as well. Makes one wonder, if a language barrier was at work? Or trade secrets or poor editing.

Often the "official" history of many a maker is not repeatable under oath. Be fun to read the Masi insert which I think came in a later edition.

ho ho ho.

In the 'Collector Book Business', the 'First Edition', is the more/most highly sought after,

the 'Second', or subsequent, being less so.

However,

later editions in general, provide more information, hence a 'better book', to be read!

(LOL)


Regards,
J T

Any chance you could post some photos of her?

haha. I smell stalker.
'still got the hots for becky,eh? ;)

ya know, back then I was a newbie roadie fresh from the sticks and the only thing more terrifying to me than the banking was the thought of having both my arms plucked out by that cute little blonde girl with the thighs as big as my waist (past tense). besides she always seemed to have an entourage of big ulgy trackkies sniffin' about so deep that photo op's didn't happen easily.

I have this book! Found it at a thrift store years ago, and recently hauled it out of a box it was in. Rekindled my interest in 'older' bikes. My favourite part is the bike fitting pictures. Worth reading through. I suppose with a pdf online an original 1st edition isn't worth much now is it?

Don't ever kid yourself, there is nothing like having the 'Real Thing', on the shelf and

the the 'other', for study. I collect many old books about my city (Toronto, Canada)

and wish that I had two of each; preservation of the original is of prime import.

Lithoprints, engravings, etc, hang on a wall behind a glass protective, books are always 'open',

to abuse of one kind or another.

Regards,
J T

The book can generally be picked up fairly cheaply with a little hunting. My favorite part is the up-close photos of frame details on some really nice 70's bikes.

In 1991, Nishiki came out with a line of road bikes with 650c rims. Once in a while I'll see one on ebay, without the wheels. Their catalog touted their bikes as faster than the competition because their was less wind resistance using the smaller wheel. The implication was, this would be the wave of the future. Dang, they were nice looking bikes, especially the Altron model.