David Tesch Serial Number 050

David Tesch built his first frames for Trek in Waterloo, Wisconsin in the mid-1970s, and later for Masi in San Marcos, California. By the early 1980s he had established his reputation as a specialist in racing frames. I was familiar with the beautiful Tesch-built John Howard bicycles, so I was thrilled when a friend gifted me with this early "Built for Speed" frameset. I believe this to be an early model 100, serial number 050. The white paint with bright red stays and head lugs is quite stunning, despite a few battle scars. Tesch died in 2003, aged 44.

I've built my Tesch with a period-correct mix of Cinelli and Campagnolo components.