bikingbritinmex

Hi all,
Can anyone help me identify this Holdsworth bicycle. From what I have been able to determine, not much, but it could be a Mistral, a Professional or a cyclone or some of each or none at all! It is finished in team racing colours orange and blue, Weinmann centrepull brakes a GB stem, Brooks B5N saddle(covered in duck tape sorry!), 5-speed Campag gear. The forks seem to be square shouldered rather than sloping(this has thrown me as nearly everywhere says they should be Italian sloping crown and this one isn't) Further from the limited research I have been able to do so far, I place this frame somewhere between 1966- 1974 (It has a metal head badge).
Now the problem is, I don't have a frame number (not helpful) I am in Mexico and the bike etc is with my son in UK. I will try to obtain the frame number, not easy as my son is very busy at the moment.
I have enclosed some pics of the bike to help with identification, I hope they are OK!!
Many thanks

bikingbritinmex

OK so I'm a computer illiterate, I hope the pics are now going to appear.

Biking

Oldpeddaller

From the tiny photos, description and fond memories of my youth, I'm sure you'll find it's a Holdsworth "Equipe" of about 1970-73. If so, original equipment would have been a Campagnolo Valentino rear derailleur (gear), Weinmann centrepull brakes & lever (can see those in photo!), Brooks black leather saddle, chromed cottered cranks (3-arm if I recall correctly), GB bars and stem, chromed "rat trap" pedals, single down-tube Campagnolo gear shift lever. If memory serves (and it was nearly 40 years ago that I last touched one!), the frame had Reynolds 531 main tubes and fork blades, Prugnat pointed lugs, angled seat stay tops and a flat top cast fork crown with fork lug cutouts that I can best describe as looking a bit like a "horizontal upside down figure 3". The Equipe was the entry-level Holdsworth of its time and not a bad road bike for all that - better than the low-end Raleighs, Vikings, Claud Butler Electron, Edwardes, Sun Sprite, Puch Clubman and Carlton Corsa that were the alternatives in this price range. Many club cyclists cut their teeth on one of these and went on to greater things, so it's a good find and a piece of English cycling history, (in my opinion). They were generally ridden to death, so it's good to know of another that's survived. The finish was a copy of the Holdsworth Team Campagnolo "Holdsworth Professional" bikes ridden by arguably the most successful British road team ever, a team that included Les West and Geoff wiles, among others. The only other Equipe I've seen since the '70's is on display in the side window of W.F. Holdsworth's shop in Lower Richmond Road, Putney, SW London, together with the last remaining "Team" bike from the Holdsworth Team Campag days. I've got some more details, links etc, here somewhere so will try to post some more info tonight.

You may have guessed, I'm a Claud Butler & Holdsworth bore - my own 1970 Holdsworth Mistral has become an obsession (pics posted under Viscount's post "Can anyone help with Claud Butler 3 speed?"

Good luck with the bike, it will make a good period restoration. Incidentally, Holdsworths quoted me about £200 for a complete restoration; paint, transfers and banding of my frame in Holdsworth Team Campag colours. I decided not to for now - it's only original once, but this might be of interest?

Oldpeddaller

More info and links as promised!

The Holdsworth Equipe was launched 1969-71. It has plain gauge Reynolds tubing, Prugnat lugs and 105cm wheelbase. Until 1972 it was only available in orange (pumpkin) with (kingfisher) blue panels but 1n 1972 it could also be supplied in blue with orange panels or silver with white panels in 1972, although the brochures imply team colours only. The Equipe was only sold as a complete bike, unlike the bikes higher in the range that could also be bought as a frame only, then custom-built for, or by, the purchaser. As far as I can recall, the stock Equipe bikes were fitted with 6" Weinmann "shortie" stainless or alloy mudguards. Most riders took these off straight away as they provided no protection at all - and without them the bike looked more like a Holdsworth Professional Team bike. About 1972-3 a 10sp Tourer version was introduced. This had a wider gear range using 40/48 rings with 14 to 26 freewheel. Full length plastic mudguards and a rear pannier.

Information can be found at the following web-sites:

https://homepage.ntlworld.com/nkilgariff/

https://www.classicrendezvous.com/Bri...Holdsworth.htm

https://www.yellowjersey.org/holdsw.html (Pick the "Cyclinks" grey cog icon at the left near the bottom. Scroll down the page that's displayed and click on the word "Holdsworth" Yellow Jersey can also supply replacement decals).

I've included some catalogue pictures and a picture of Holdsworth's shop at 132 Lower Richmond Road, Putney where you can see a real surviving Equipe.

bikingbritinmex

Hi Oldpeddaller

I have tried to thank you for your help on 3 occasions now, the web-site keeps referring me to sign in page and then I lose the text!!!
I will try again later tonight, in the meantime you wouldn't happen to know the headset size?

Many thanks

David

rhenning

1 inch. Roger

Oldpeddaller

Hi David, you're very welcome, that's what the Forum's for. The headset is a 1 inch size, (NOT 1 1/8"!), for a threaded steerer fork.

PM me if you need any help in UK with this, I live in Kent. The original headset was, I believe a TDC unit (the name of the manufacturer) with chrome finished cups and loose bearings. If the cups and races are not badly worn, it's often possible just to replace the ball bearings and re-grease, although it's still possible to buy similar units. I wouldn't put a black one on though, stick to chrome for that vintage look!

Any problems finding what you need, I'm pretty sure I've got some of these headset cups buried somewhere in my workshop that I took out of some old frames I converted to A-headset years ago. Will take an age to find them, but I need to have a tidy up anyway. If you need a complete new headset, it's best to take at least the fork in to the bike shop, to make sure the thread on the top bearings and locknut fits. Removing and refitting cups to the frame is not actually difficult but you do need to make some tools, or buy them if you are rich! You can find info on the Bike Mechanics part of this Forum, or Sheldon Brown's website. A slotted pipe, hammer, threaded rod, nuts and a selection of washers are needed to make the tools.

Best of luck!

bikingbritinmex

Thanks Roger, very kind, that saves me some more research

David

bikingbritinmex

Hi Oldpeddaller,

Once again I have been cut off in my prime so to speak! I tried last night to reply to your message. Wrote it all and again got referred to sign in having hit 'submit reply'. I think it must be something to do with me! not the web-site forum.... There seem to be a few headsets for sale on e-bay right now. A Record 1" threaded headset, NIB, do you think that would work? Sorry for all the daft questions, but there is no one to ask over here.
Many thanks

David

bikingbritinmex

Oh yes, by the way, I know Maidstone(well I used to) I lived in Sittingbourne some 40 plus years ago when I first married. I don't think I fancy Detling Hill at this stage of my life!!

Oldpeddaller

Hi David,

A Record headset would more than do! It's the one that was fitted to the Team bikes, not to the Equipe so will be a MUCH higher quality. One thing to watch out for - make sure it is "ENGLISH" threaded, not "Italian", "Swiss" or "French" - otherwise the top bearing cover, spacer & top collar nut will not fit.

Amazingly small world! Is the bike in Sittingbourne? If so, I might be able to pop over some time and offer unwanted advice & assistance! Appreciate that you're in Mexico - look out for a cheap steel Colnago frame while you're out there!

Detling Hill's still a killer on the knees, but at least there's a brilliant smooth descent down to Key Street - Hollingbourne Hill is even more evil, with only flat lanes as a reward! Used to be a lot better on the lanes but now they are full of housewives driving 4X4 poser wagons, talking on the mobile with one hand, setting their Sat-nav with the other and looking round at their kid's in the back - women can multi-task but sometimes forget to drive! Give me the race track A249 any day, at least you can see them coming!

I'd post my e-mail address or phone numbers but don't think that's very wise, but hope u can PM soon.

Best wishes,

Stuart

bikingbritinmex

Hi Stuart,
Thank you for your interesting message. I'm afraid we moved away from Sittingbourne in 1968! My only connection with the town before I emigrated to the third world - Mexico was with Greyhounds, I owned about ten at different times over a four year period, some were very good others absolutely awful. But I think we won about 80 open races over that period which was pretty good.
Anyway the bike is in Bushey, Herts with my son.

I will try to work out how to PM and do so.

Cheers

David

Oldpeddaller

David,

Brilliant - the Sittingbourne greyhound track is still a good night out ! You moved away just as my family moved back to the area. Will await your message in due course (I've done it myself but don't really know how, like most computer things it either works like magic or not at all!)and if I can help your son with any info, ideas or advice it will be my privilege to do so.

Oldpeddaller

David,

I've sent you an e-mail via the PM system.

Stuart

sisddwg

I can't tell much from the photos but the serial number is stamped on the underside of the bottom bracket shell and on the steering tube. I have a 1957 Typhoon, serial NO. 24647, if that helps any.

Charles 51

#Hi Oldpedaller


I worked at Holdsworthy in the period they made the equipe bike so almost definitely built the one in question.
I assembled the complete bikes including the headset and BB. Good days in Lullington Road. Its all gone now so wish i had taken some photos.


Best wishes


CB

unworthy1

Charles 51, welcome to BF C&V and we hope you check back occasionally since Holdsworth questions come up here pretty often. It's not often we have first-hand knowledge from an ex-employee!

DoubleClanger

HI OLDPEDDALLER This is a complete shot in the dark and hope it does not offend, but I am 72 and just acquired a bitsa Holdsworth 1968 Mistral, I think! You came up on a search in Bike Forum.( I am a new member so still feeling my way around). Realise it is 12 years later but hope you may help me. After hours and hours of searching you are the only person that I have been able to find with a bike close to mine. I will fully understand if you do not have the time or inclination. I get like that myself! DoubleClanger BikeForum

Oldpeddaller

Hi DoubleClanger! It is indeed many years later than the original post. I'm sorry to advise that Bikingbritinmex - the first poster here passed away during that time, however we shared our common interest for many years. I do still have my Holdsworth Mistral from 1970, plus I now have a 1953 Holdsworth Typhoon, a 1968 Holdsworth Professional Strada and a 1990's Holdsworth Windermere trekking bike converted to a gravel bike! I've also seen scores more Holdsworths in the intervening time and visited the original Lower Richmond Road Putney Holdsworth shop just before they closed down.. I'll be glad to try to answer any questions I can for you - please feel free to post or to Private Message me if you feel I can help.

DoubleClanger

Hi Oldpeddaller, I was afraid that perhaps the original OP may have died. Sorry. It would be great if you could send me any photos so that I can look closely at layouts etc. I guess mine might be a Mistral but whether it was 5 or 10 speed ( I mean double chainring ) I do not know. I think I am right in saying that both options were available for that model. Mine came in 5 speed but with a Silstar Chainring and 165mm crank arms. I want to restore this to 10 speed with Campag double chainring. Do you know if this a possibility? The chainring that I have bought is a Campag Record Strada. Is there a bottom bracket to accommodate this? I assume yes as it was an option on the original bike and assume that the frame was not different from the single chain ring. Any help would be greatly appreciated. DC

Bianchigirll