merziac

Tiny, looks to be in great shape, smokin deal IMO.

I'm gonna say we never see these and know we have but....

I could probably facilitate.

https://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/...502105854.html

merziac

Really, no love for Ed?

repechage

Screaming deal.
wrong size.
top tube looks a bit long for the seat tube, eyeball judgement.

Ed is a good builder that just does not trigger the heart's desire trigger.
maybe the Graphics?

79pmooney

I just saw this. 20" doesn't work for me but I always take a second look at his bikes.

Guy's a class act. Met him when I took my Mooney fork to Eisentraut after crashing it. Watched him straighten it and knew immediately he had the skill and knowledge. Rode that fork and had Peter Mooney build me another and send it to me unpainted. In the meantime I learned Ed had set up a shop of his own in Richmond. Took the Mooney and new bare fork to him for paint. Single color, no clear coat. Those were my dark days and funds were tight. Perfect paint job, on time and I will not print here what I paid.

I loved it when the framebuilder trade shows stopped regularly in Portland and I'd get to see him. Just a good, down to earth fellow who does really nice work.

merziac

Yeah, maybe a bit dated, I bet it was stunning when new. His paint is always top notch. He is Merz's go to guy.

In better times I would seriously consider buying this for a place holder but I already did that too much so no go.

I may try to go look at it anyway.

bikingshearer 

Ed Litton is a excellent builder and an excellent painter. Very nice guy, too.

I'd be sorely tempted, except that I'm a foot or more too tall. So are you, @merziac. You would look like a circus bear on that thing, as would I.

merziac

That hasn't always stopped me.

Kabuki12

I have talked to Ed Litton on the phone and he was very nice and interesting to talk to. I actually called on his birthday and he still answered the phone. I was seriously considering having him paint my Colnago , I was going to drive it up there so I could meet him. Work got crazy so with shipping and the fact that he is so busy , I went with Franklin in Ohio. I have seen his work and to my eye it is flawless , and he really knows the bikes and history….’cause he was there! As far as the bike in the ad, it is hard for me to judge a bike that small, it just seems disproportionate. I admit to bias!

Doug Fattic 

Custom frame builders build frames for disproportionate people. Eventually they get sold again. Perhaps the customer insisted on 700C wheels when smaller ones would have been better. I remember one of my friends complaining about a used frame he bought from one of my colleagues who did excellent work and didn't like the way it handled. He thought that reflected poorly on the builder when it fact some people's oddly proportioned bodies require oddly portioned frames. Forcing all bodies onto standard frames is not always the best solution.

bamboobike4

I thought he invented the microwave oven.

curbtender

repechage

Needed to be able to pass muster with the UCI technologists....

alexihnen 

If the home shop weren’t overflowing already, the 56cm Litton in San Francisco would be mine. It’s a real beauty.

verktyg 

"The Wall Of Shame" as in "Isn't it a shame what happened to that frame".

Those down tube sections were cut out of frames that Ed Litton repaired. Most were from front enders. I was around his shop when he was putting that collection together. There is one tube from a prestigious Italian marque that is a shame.... It's a seamed gas pipe down tube from a frame with a top name tubing sticker on it....

Ed is a VERY modest, understated person but his work is impeccable. He's painted a number of frames for me, repaired several and realigned a bunch of them. He painted a lot of frames for Roland Della Santa plus other well known builders plus team bikes and so on. He may be the top expert on Bianchi paint and decals.

I'd been stopping by his shop since the mid 80's when he was in partnership with Albert Eisentraut. We'd talked about him making a custom frame for me for years. I finally popped for one a while back but like working with many "artists" don't be in a hurry.

In the mean time, I was in his shop one day and he had this frame hanging on the wall. He'd built as a project long ago. It was my perfect size so I forked over some Uncle Bens for it on the spot!





verktyg

curbtender

Interesting. Had a chance to talk to him at the MB museum swap. I have a Della Santa track bike that needs a head tube repair and repaint.

verktyg 

HEAR HEAR!!!

These are not socks! One size doesn't fit all!

I have very short thighs relative to my leg length - BITD 5' 10" with a 29" inseam. I also had neck problems back then and rode in a more upright position.

I tried a lot of different better quality bikes in the early 70's. I couldn't find a bike or frame that fit. In 1974 I decided I needed a custom frame. The folks at Gus Betat in NOLA built me a frame in early 1975... It was very well made and fit but was "Oh NO! You did what I asked for!"

I didn't know what I needed at that point. The rear triangle was too short - had to deflate tires to get them in and out plus there was massive toe clip overlap. I had a lot of brazing and welding experience so I rebuilt the rear triangle using vertical dropouts but it still handled like a wheel barrow. I decided I could do just as well.

1975 Gus Betat frame



After building a number of experimental frames I worked out what I needed: 55-56cm C to T with a 75° seat tube, 53-54cm C to C top tube with the head tube angle and fork rake built to meet the use. I ride with the seat all the way forward. I still set up my bikes that way. Most people who ride my bikes comment that they feel cramped but they fit me very comfortably.


Back in 1973 I read the Italian CONI CYCLING book several times before I realized that it was intended for grooming youth for the Olympics!!! I was 29 and it wasn't going to happen with me!



I have an issue with many Bicycle Fit Specialists! Most seemed to be focused on setting a bike up for maximum efficiency - as in racing. Very few seem to know or care about comfort for the average cyclist whether they be commuters, tourists or just week end warriors! You should NOT have to fit the bike! It should fit YOU! My 2¢ worth....

verktyg