Any one heard of Carless?

[antozzi48]

I've just bought a bike and would really appreciate some help on the maker.

Its made from Reynolds 531 tubing and I've dated the Reynolds badge to 1975-79, the frame has a makers name of Carless and I can find nothing on this name? It has a full Campy chainset and hubs with Cinelli bars and stem so i'm guessing it was a reasonable bike in its day but internet searches come up with nothing. Any help would be hugely appreciated.

 

[Excel]

.......you could start with this bike shop that's listed on the net

<< G Carless Cycles 15 Hightown Crewe Cheshire CW1 3BP tel:01270 213642 >>

 

[fiks]

It looks like it has the type of wrapover stays used on Brian Rourke frames.

There's apparently a Carless bike shop in Crewe:

Carless, 15 Hightown, (Crewe CW1 3BP)
http://www.zettai.net/find/staffordshire/cycle-shops/

which is not too far from Brian Rourke in Stoke.

 

[antozzi48]

Thanks for the leads. There's a rather lovely Flandria on the forum and i'd noticed the similarities, I was just having a look on the BR website.

 

[Old Ned]

Dave Hinde used to be their wheel builder before he started his own business. They were frequent advertisers in 'Cycling'.

They also had a model railway side to the business. A one-stop-shop for me!

 

[antozzi48]

Now ive got it home I can see it has EO stamped in a diamond and I think that's a BR trade mark along with the wrap over seat stays, it also has a frame number of 270 but I'm not sure if that is just a model reference?

 

[David B]

Now ive got it home I can see it has EO stamped in a diamond and I think that's a BR trade mark along with the wrap over seat stays, it also has a frame number of 270 but I'm not sure if that is just a model reference?

Must admit, I wasn't aware that (ANC Halfords team "Peugeots" aside) Brian Rourke ever built "outside" jobs.

David

 

[Midlife]

EO and diamond stampings were usually an Everest manufacturing mark, Everest being the manufacturer of the BB shell.

Shaun

 

[antozzi48]

Ok, that makes sence. I'm learning something new all the time here. I'm new to old bikes so thanks.

 

[lewisfoto]

Here I thought Car-less was just a cyclist's fantasy