Jim Bartlett bike - Nelson Cycles bike NCE104882

[Lintel26]

Hi All,

Does anyone know anything about a rider called ‘Jim Bartlett’?

I have a Nelson short wheelbase TT bike with the following under the BB (see pics)

Jim Bartlett

NCE 104882

Does the NCE relate to a race series?

I think the bike originated from the Somerset area.

I can’t find much either about Nelson bikes in general?

Any info gratefully received.

Thanks

J

 

[Lintel26]

Bump, any clues?
Thanks

 

[jim haseltine]

Possibly Nelson Cycles and Engineering. Bit of googling shows an address in Crickhowell, South Wales. Now seems to be trading as cyclebasket.com. Still selling frames decalled as Nelson which I doubt are bespoke.

 

[Lintel26]

Seems the brand was sold a while ago.
Interested in anyone has any further info.
Thanks

 

[Lintel26]

Speaking with the previous owner it was suggested the frame was previously raced by Clive Brooks of Frome and District Wheelers.
A quick google unearthed a Picture of Clive on a Nelson of similar geometry.
Does anyone know Clive?
Thanks

 

[Nob]

Dave McKellow spring to mind as he had a Nelson frame

 

[Lintel26]

Hi Nob,
Great photos. It’s a shame there’s not much out there about Nelson Cycles, as the workmanship and finishing of the bikes is fantastic.
Do you think the bikes were in house or sun contracted and branded?
Thanks

 

[jonesytwo]

Hi there

Can shed a little light on this.

I had an original Nelson frameset made for me in the mid 80's.

The guy who started Nelson cycles and did all the frames himself was a real nice fella who I remember as Mr Evans (I'm sure his chrsitian name was David). The frames were all built/sprayed in house in what I think was the old post office in Llangynidr, (which now is appears to be cyclebasket.com as mentioned).

He wasn't a rider himself but was an engineer type who as you say built lovely framesets which were identifiable by the way the rear stays were fillet brazed to the seat tube (as per your photos).

I think later on he started selling imported framesets (handmade framesets to expensive for most) which he finished in house and possibly badged as Nelson.

Not sure when he retired and sold up.

 

[Lintel26]

Hi Jonesytwo,

Thanks for your message.

I will upload some further photos of my Nelson, to show the detailing.

Do you have any pictures of yours?
Do you know any more riders who rode Nelson bikes? Were they a small specialist outfit at the time?

Thanks

 

[Lintel26]