Originally Posted by
Chuck M
Thank you again for your continued help. Do you believe that this may be a quality tubing or hi-ten?
It's really hard to make a definitive statement, without additional photos or information. If we operate on the premise that the New 600EX is OEM, then I'd expect Tange No. 1 or No. 2. Also, the presence of the pump peg and brazed-on shift lever bosses during this period would typically suggest something better than hi-tensile steel, even if it's just seamed, butted CrMo. For me, the definitive characteristic in determing the tubing grade has always been the seat post diameter. Matsu****a/National typically built with Tange tubing during this period, in which case I'd expect nothing smaller than a 26.6mm seat post for a CrMo tubeset.