Late father's T J Quick help please

[chainsonvelvet]

I have recently had my late father's T J Quick rebuilt.

He was ill in 2001/2 and stripped the bike in May 2002, labelling the components as he did so, to have the frame resprayed. Unfortunately he passed away before the he had the chance to rebuild his bike.

Some 13 years later Madgetts cycles of Diss, who organised the original respray, rebuild the bike for me using the labelled components. It has a Sachs rear deraillier, and Stronglight cranks, whilst the frame is made of Reynolds 531 tubing.

A few things puzzle me and I would appreciate advice on the possible age of the frame, as the straight fork style seems unusual, and maybe some thoughts on why the frame is built to run cantilever brakes (cyclocross style), but has very tight rear wheel to frame, and front wheel to fork, gaps.

He did live in Deptford (South London) in the 1990's and also left me a Witcomb frame (which was in bad condition, but is being restored), suggesting that he bought from local hand built frame makers. Both have similar fork styles, so does this suggest it was a geographic thing or a 90's frame style?

 

[Nob]

Looks like a Time Trial frame set up & some TT peeps in the 80's early 90's spec'ed there brakes with cantilevers purely for weight reduction & ease of braking. Did your dad do Time Trials, was he in a club as you can contact the club he was in for more background? The forks may have been a later edition & as I can recall a TJ Quick have straight forks but maybe wrong as someone on here with more expertise will I'm sure help.... A quality frame non the less

 

[chainsonvelvet]

Re:

Good morning and thanks for all the input. Your comments, and discussions with others, along with thoughts from my youth would lead me to believe that the frame was built for him to his specification.

In about 1991, whilst living in Deptford I recall he had a few bikes stolen from his garage, along with a Specialised Rockhopper MTB of mine. I think he probably replaced the stolen ones with the frame above and a Witcomb, who had a shop less than a mile down the road.

From memory, track and time trial were his favoured cycling disciplines, more to watch than compete, but I suspect this influenced the decisions behind the frames he bought, built up, and rode. I also suspect that T J Quick's location to Herne Hill velodrome influenced heavily the frames he built for the customers he served. The Witcomb is similar in fork design, but is built for conventional brakes.

So I believe that both frames are probably early to mid ninties, built for him, with influence from the builders themselves, and probably tailored to the stock of components in his box of kit at the time.

Again thanks to all for your inputs and here is a picture of the Witcomb before it was sent away for refurbishment.

 

[Jingle Jangle]

The TJ Quick looks amazing, as does the Witcomb. A real piece of South-East London history.

If you are going to restore the Witcomb (please do), you should talk to Dave at Colourtech in Crayford. I believe he used to paint Witcomb frames before the shop closed, and I also believe that Barry Witcomb, who may well have been the original builder, still does a bit of frame repair work for him.

 

[chainsonvelvet]

Re:

Witcomb is back from the bike shop - very pleased and waiting now for the roads and weather to clear up!

 

[Jonny69]

^ The Witcombe looks great!

I agree with the earlier comments about TT setup on the TJ Quick - the single front chainring is another indicator for me, tight clearances, short wheelbase, shot in stays and centre pull cables front and back. Let's face it, too, canti brakes also work a hell of a lot better than 90s calipers like Shimano 105 etc.

 

[Little Al]

Re: Re:

Witcomb is back from the bike shop - very pleased and waiting now for the roads and weather to clear up!

Not wanting to be picky, Nice rebuild, But is the handlebar stem out further than the safe markings. looks to be out a long way.

 

[Nob]

Witcomb looks very nice just a little unsure about the straight fork which for me personally looks out of place on a British Frame such as this.

 

[Jamiedyer]

You have done both of those rebuilds and, I am sure your Dad, proud with those two.
They both look great and hopefully you have them setup for yourself now
Wishing you many happy miles on them both.

Jamie

 

[chainsonvelvet]

Re: Re:

Witcomb is back from the bike shop - very pleased and waiting now for the roads and weather to clear up!

Not wanting to be picky, Nice rebuild, But is the handlebar stem out further than the safe markings. looks to be out a long way.

I think the picture angle makes the stem on the Witcomb look bigger than it really is. It was sourced and the frame was built up by Mick at Madgetts Cycles in Diss, and on inspection does not appear to have exceeded the safe markings - maybe he ordered in a big one for me?

Bike rides nicely and am really pleased with the results and all the supportive comments.

Roll on summer!