Albert Eisentraut   1959 - 
Bicycle Ensemble, 543 East Eleventh St.,  Oakland, CA 94606-2841
Phone/Fax: 510- 452- 4485
Updated 11.7.2011

    Albert Eisentraut acquired an  appreciation of hand built bicycles at the elbow of legendary Paramount maker Oscar Wastyn in Chicago, and Albert, in many ways, is the  dean of modern (post Korean War) USA custom frame builders. His frames, especially the famous "Model A" frames of the 1960s and 70s, had a special sculptural aesthetic and unorthodoxy in their shaping. This set Eisentraut bicycles apart from the European mimicry that influenced other builders at that time.

Investment cast lug that anticipated the trends of the 1980s.
Photo taken by the webmaster at
the New York Bike Show in 1977

Deciphering serial numbers
(Thanks to Bill Kloos and Ed Litton)
Example: the serial number on the BB and on the fork steerer tube is
E130475; this is translated as being the 13th frame built in April of 1975.

Bicycle Guide magazine article, Sept-Oct 1987

Jay Jacob's 1970 road bike, owned since new,  #050670

The webmaster's mid 1970s "A" frame.. note the use of
Eisentraut's unique bottom bracket shell with integrated cable guides.

The model "Limited," a model produced in the late 1970s to
provide a lower priced alternative to the custom A frame

Bruce VanRemortel's brand new Albert Eisentraut "Neo-Classic" bike featuring
Nervex lugs, Ideale saddle, Super Champion rims, and, of course, Campagnolo
group with NR and original version of the Rally rear deraileur.