Originally Posted by
repechage
braze on front derailleur mounts as a production item were years away.
Confente did explore a direct mount front mechanism. A custom cast chassis to replace the band clamp affair - mounting with what appeared to be two waterbottle bosses. Near the end, maybe only on one bike.
the rest of your post really need to be revised for clarity after some more coffee. "Soup can cable guides"?
you might also review more as what was available in 1977. My guess before your time and or awareness.
Yes--the top tube cable guides look like tiny soup cans. Or cut-down .22 casings. Nothing elegant, in my book.
Definitely before my time, for sure. But I still see nothing special in the design or execution. I suspect it rides just like any other high-quality steel bike of the time.