1978 Holdsworth Frame Upgrades
 

Hi! I want to fit my Holdsworth Special frame with modern carbon fibre fork/stem/handlebars&seatpost, wheels and crank/pedals. I'm new to this and I'm looking for some help to chose the right parts and see what's possible. Thanks!

There's a thread here dedicated to that sort of thing. Almost anything's possible:
https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-v...i-s-ergos.html

Thanks, I'll check that out! :)

Sounds like a great project. There are many members here who have 'modernized' vintage frame/forks. The good news is that you can usually find an ample selection of options for modern components that will bolt right onto a vintage frame (with some fiddling occasionally).

In order to get specific with answers to your questions - pictures, certain frame/component measurements, and other info. will help. Once you have 10 posts you can start posting pictures - then answers will be easier - and then you can avoid ordering stuff that won't work with your Holdsworth.

Good luck.

Well, here are some considerations on your front end: You can go with a 1" threaded carbon fork (Nashbar used to sell a cheap one), which would likely mean you could use your existing headset. An important measurement is from the dropouts to the top of the crown (AC); ideally, you'll find a fork with the same AC distance as you have now, which would allow you to use your same front brake (though it's possible it's nutted mount while any fork you find will be recessed mounted--a different problem to solve). Or you could go with a 1" threadless carbon fork, which would mean a new headset and my note about the AC distance and brake reach would still apply.

For cranks, plenty of carbon cranks around at a really wide range of prices. Depends on whether you want compact gearing (e.g. 50/34t rings) or something more racy. One nice thing about modern cranks is that they're usually sold with bottom brackets or at least you have the option to buy one at the same time you buy the crank. That's good because the types of BBs has really proliferated with modern bikes, but you'd be looking at one for a BSA-threaded/68mm BB shell.

Whatever you plan on doing, I'd first want to you answer if this frame is worth hanging these parts on, all of which will probably cost you a significant number of coins when all is said and done. Of course, you can try and ride it for a bit and then move on to something else to hang these parts on if it's not working out.

Thanks Jlaw! I'll send pics and measurements asap! :)

One important consideration is how you want to use this bike - road riding? Grocery getter? Randonneur? Gravel bike? Commuter?

There are many possible set ups and some offer greater flexibility of use - and this in turn effects some of the new component choices - crankset, wheel size, handlebars, gearing.....

Thanks for the reply Jlaw! I'd say mainly for commuting and moving around the city centre. Nothing extreme..

If the bike is for commuting and getting around town, you don't really need a carbon fork and all the carbon bits. That will help keep the cost down.

It's more because I already have a modern fixie which weighs about 11.5kg and I carry it up and down the stairs quite often at my workplace and at home so my idea is to build a lightweight fixie. On the top of that I like the modern and vintage look combined. Hence the choice to go for carbon fibre components (where possible). :)

Keep it original. Nothing beats the look of a classic Holdsworth.

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...b7d37b8f16.jpg

I hate to also be that guy, and we're pretty good at not being that guy around here, but I agree :D

Haha I totally get you guys and I do like and appreciate a gorgeous vintage bike like the one in the pic, but for this specific project I decided to go for new components and vintage frame :) Hope you are still up for helping me out! :P

Yeah no worries, you'll get good help in this section of the forum no matter what.

I hate to be that guy too, but it is your bike. Save all of the parts.

there are a ton of advantages for going fixie or single speed in town and on public transport--- and getting the weight down so its easy to sling up and climb stairs... often many flights.

My advice would be to not go too far and permanently modify the frame itself - but just strip it down and do what you want. save the original fork if you have it.

where are you at Dave? If you are in SF i probably have some parts if you want. i could trade you some CF stuff - i have a crank, forks (depending upon the frame size), and i think some bars.. id trade you for the original parts off the special if you still have them.

I think I will play devils advocate here. A vintage Holdsworth is not a commuting bike. Get it done up right.
And buy yourself a nice hard tail mtb for commuting lots can be found cheap.

Any chance of seeing some pics of the Holdsworth?

Hi Jetboy, yeah that's pretty much what I want to achieve and one of the main reasons why I want to put together a bike with such features. Unfortunately I live in Scotland, sorry pal! :)

Here some pics :) https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...00886f363.jpeg
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...ec5d58830.jpeg
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...16d23f928.jpeg
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...22cbf70bb.jpeg
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...cb9436c98.jpeg

jlaw you can see some pics now :)

https://i.imgur.com/RYoBMsR.gif


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Just kidding! Sometimes an old frame is just begging for a little "hotrodding".

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...35d65e73f5.jpg

Beautiful frame and fork. You should be able to upgrade and make it somewhat classy.

I would highly, highly, highly, highly, highly, highly suggest keeping the original fork. Attempting to get a carbon fork will be difficult to match the threaded fork that you have now. Like almost impossible and it will likely greatly affect the ride geometry of how the bike currently feels. Things to keep classic and will greatly help your build would be frame, fork, theaded headset, and quill stem. You can get a quill to threadless adapter stem and that will make it easier to use modern threadless stems and.modern bars.

Bottomed bracket might be special (others will tell you better than me) and the rear dropouts of the frame may need to be spread (aka cold setting, someone else can chime in with advice for that).

Good luck.

I went 1" threaded to 1" threadless with a new fork and Cane Creek headset. Stem by Deda.
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...f36fb90e2f.jpg

Thanks mechanicmatt I'll think of all this before committing to a new carbon fork and thanks for all the other tips! :)

Thanks Wildwood ! Which fork did you use?