snipped:
>"...As soon as these stumbling blocks are removed, 1-1/8" steerers
>should become the standard..."

if/when it becomes the standard, framebuilders-the kind that are on
THIS list-won't build the 1-1/8" columned forks that are on these
frames. they will buy them from fork suppliers and assemble their
frames with them. and when the pre-fabbed rear triangle 'thing'
fully catches on, these guys will plug them into their main triangles.
in time, after the forks routinely come from the fork factories
and the rears are tacked on after unpacking them from italy, the
framebuilders won't have much left to do except to choose a reliable
powdercoater.
e-RICHIE