Colnago Nuovo Mexico in Saronni red (Saronni won the World Road Race Championships in 1982 at Goodwood). Second generation Campagnolo Super Record with Colnago pantographed outer chainring, stem and seat pillar. One of his main rivals was Francesco Moser – more about him a few bikes down…Mercian winter or training bike with clubman’s kit of Nuovo Record, Stronglight 49D cranks with TA chainrings and Weinmann 500 brakes. High pressure (that’s what we used to call clinchers) tyres. 531 ST tubing. The eagle eyed will have spotted the lack of gear levers – it does have some now!A time trial frame from Pongo Braithwaite, known for the severe geometry of his frames and disposition to drill a lot of holes – both characteristics of this frame. A “very little Campagnolo” build – TA cranks (with a 58 chainring – Campagnolo only went to 57) Weinmann brakes and Huret Jubilee rear mech (a tester’s favourite).Dave was (and is!) probably best known for his track bikes but he built road and time trial frames too. Another alternative to Campagnolo build – TA and Weinmann again – but a Sun Tour Superbe rear mech which actually worked rather better than the Huret Jubilee (if you were worried about changing gear of course!).Another Colnago Super – this one restored in proper Eddy Merckx “pumpkin” – we are reliably informed by Chris Sidwells that is what he calls the colour! First generation Campagnolo Super Record, Mavic Oro rims and lots of pantograhing. Last ridded in by Florence the excellent Tom Simpson Memorial Ride.Dave was based in Slough and a lot of local riders rode his frames. This is more of his more moderate builds – some of his frames were very short! Stronglight 49D cranks with TA chainrings, Dura Ace mechs, 3TTT seat pillar and Weinmann 500 brakes. And a mad colour scheme!Geoffrey Butler specialised in very tight Six Day geometry and clearances – check out the gap between the front wheel and the down tube. You can’t even fit in 25mm tubulars! Campagnolo equipped with the Record Pista small flange wheels that Darryl Webster rode to multiple national championships. Built to seventies club racer specification – not all Campagnolo…. Stronglight cranks and Universal 68 brakes which were very frequently used – very similar to the bike ridden by a young Phil Bayton. Harry Quinns were also often ridden by many of the great riders – Doug Dailey, Dave Lloyd – from the Kirkby Cycling Club. And Harry Quinns were generally red!Holdsworth Mistral from the early seventies – note the ample fork rake. Commonly used components – TA cranks and chainrings, Mafac brakes with Weinmann levers, “high pressure” tyres rather than tubulars, otherwise Nuovo Record and mudguards for winter training. Classic team coloursKen Bird was well known for his time trial bikes which often had very short wheelbases, close clearances, brazed on brake pivot bolts and lots of holes! This little road bike has all of these… Nuovo Record with Super Record chainrings, Weinmann brakes, 3TTT seat pillar, bars and stem. Unusually for a Ken Bird not white!Frame built by Barry Chick, who also built Shorter frames for Alf Engers and others. Beautifully lightened with cutaway lugs and trademark time trial geometry and clearances. First generation Campagnolo Super Record, Weinmann 500 brakes, 3TTT bars and stem and 28 spoke wheels.Willi Moore was an exceptional rider – bronze in the team pursuit at the 1972 Olympics – this is the only Willi Moore frame we have seen though. It is very similar to a Harry Quinn – Moore did ride Harry Quinns- but it seems Mike Mullett did work with him. Second generation Campagnolo Super Record with Galli brakes.We are big fans of Roger de Vlaeminck (five times Paris Roubaix winner and perhaps the greatest classic rider ever) and this is something of a tribute to him and Patrick Sercu. First generation Super Record with pantographed outer chainring and gear levers.As ridden by Francesco Moser (and Phil Edwards about whom Wiggins wrote a chapter in “Icons” – well worth a read). In original paint with a mix of second generation Super Record and Nuovo Record and proper original Benotto bar tape. some essential watching – A Sunday in Hell – where you see Roger de Vlaeminck also!Doug’s own track bike – ridden at Manchester Velodrome (quite slowly). 1978 frame with Campagnolo but modern cranks – nice CNC Campagnolo copy. The short stem is in deference to Doug’s increased girth. Apologies for the modern pedals….
Charlie Roberts was one of the great British frame builders. Classic track frame equipped with Campagnolo apart from Ofmega cranks. Cinelli 1A track stem and 65 Criterium bars.Dave was a class rider who was unfortunate to join TI Raleigh under Peter Post’s reign (although be produced some fantastic results) and was forced to retire as a professional as the result of a heart condition but had a stellar career after… Nuovo Record, Galli brakes, 3TTT seat pillar (which we prefer to Campagnolo) and Sugino outer chainring. Very clever braze on for the front changer before Campagnolo did it….Doug went to see the Milk Race as a youngster (one of of the Oxford City Road Club members – Gordon Hinder – was radio control on the race) and was very impressed by the massive Polish riders as they emerged out of the mist on their Alan bikes climbing using their huge outside chainrings. Hence this (Nuovo Super Record mix) build.Vic Edwards built frame in original paint. This was Fred’s bike until he got too tall! First generation Dura Ace – appropriate given that Condor were amongst the first to embrace Shimano – even featuring their components in their frame brochures and equipping the bikes they supplied to the riders they supported with Dura Ace.A Felice Gimondi tribute… Second generation Super Record with pantographed outer chainring, stem and gear levers. Combination of long rear dropouts and second generation Super Record unusual – we used a photograph of Gimondi with one of his own bikes as guidance. Gimondi was one of the great stylists….Colnago Super unrestored – Nuovo Record set up for a pint size sprinter – check out how low the bars are! We have tried to do as little as possible to this bike – only original once and all that… That being said, the pantographed stem is probably actually a little too “late” for the bike….Another Vic Edwards built Condor – this time from the sixties with shallower angles and bigger clearances. Nuovo Record (old style cranks) throughout with handlebar end levers (that’s what we called bar end shifters) and Mafac centre pull brakes. Old Brooks saddle – have no idea what model!
Favori frames were (and are) built by Ellis Briggs in Shipley West Yorkshire. Early eighties frame (cables under bracket and braze on front changer) built with 531 Professional tubing and trademark Ellis Briggs top eyes. Mix of Nuovo and Super Record.
Harry Hall’s was (still there at a different address) a great Manchester bike shop. His service vehicle was seen at most of the major races and he would reward you if you were pictured riding one of his frames in Cycling (Weekly) or the “comic” as it was then known – which could easily be spotted by the “HH” on the head tube. First generation Dura Ace throughout, Brooks professional, Cinelli bars and stem.Doug’s bike built in the winter of 1975 in preparation for his first season as a Junior. Ordered from Roy Thame (Holdsworth Campagnolo team manager) himself it’s a Cronometro (a time trial frame) but built for the road. Nuovo Record throughout, 3TTT stem, Cinelli bars and saddle and probably the only titanium Everest freewheel in Britain at the time! Would have a 48 tooth chainring then to meet the 86″ gear restriction.From (we imagine) the late sixties. When we got this frame it was painted matt black, had no transfers and incorrect forks, however it is unmistakably Holdsworth. The forks are not Holdsworth but are correct. Campagnolo throughout although the seat pillar is not period – it will be changed!Ian May was based in the Wirral and sold just a few frames, but they were all very tidy. This one is tiny! Nuovo Record but with Galli brakes which were a popular alternative (especially amongst time trialists) to Campagnolo as they were very light – and much cheaper!Roberts were well known for their time trial frames – this one is in its original paint. Campagnolo Nuovo Record but with the aftermarket alloy bolts that were often used (although were expensive…) as an alternative to buying Super Record. Usual period gearing – 57 tooth chainring and 13 to 17 freewheel.Another Barry Chick built Shorter frame. Classic time trial set up – 57 by 17 bottom gear! Campagnolo Nuovo Record with some (but not crazy drillium) lightening. First generation 3TTT Record stem, Weinmann 500 brakes and very few spokes in the wheels!Julie’s bike for Eroica. Barry Hoban (and Raymond Poulidor) tribute Mercier with pre 1978 Nuovo Record and some specifically French components – the French have their own sizes and threads! Have a look at our Family Album page for pictures of Julie and the cardigan she knitted to match….
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