| Until 4 or 5 years ago, the only established tubing manufactures
were Columbus and Reynolds. Each company had 2 types of tubing
that were used to make high quality framesets; Reynolds had 531
and 753, Columbus had SP and SL (road heavy and road light). At
that time the cost of a SP frame tubing set did not differ much
from that of a SL frame tubing set so the biker could make a decision
as to the type of tubing he wanted based on wether he wanted a
heavier/stiffer framset (SP) or a lighter/not_so_stiff frameset
(SL). On the other hand the Reynolds tubing sets were greatly
differing in price (final frame cost difference $200-$350). So
for most bikers, Columbus offered 2 choices to Reynolds 1 choice.
Also, if the frame was custom built you could get a framset with
SP in the down tube, seat tube, and chainstays with the rest of
the frame SL. This made for a light/stiff frameset. (I had one
like this a I still think it was the best frame I ever rode, thanks
to excellent building by STOUT.) Anyway, this gave the biker even
another choice that helped establish Columbus as (in my opinion)
the best tubing maufacturer. Now that there are more maufactures
in the game (True Value, Tange, Vitus, etc.) Columbus has the advantage
of being the established leader; and like all things established,
the other companies have to prove there better, not just as good,
to become the new leader. I do also think that Columbus has an
advantage being Italian made; advantage being that the pros (especially
the Italians) will continue to give it their endorsment.
Paul Dunn
|