dwscrimshaw
Retro Guru
Trying to ID a frame badged as a Holdsworth when I got it, but the frame number is all wrong. It appears to be a PG Track/Sprint, but has road forks so could have been modified from a road bike. The BB is fairly high at 10.75" with 39.5" WB and 16.5" rear stay, angles are 74 Seat and 73 head. It takes a 26.8mm seat pin, 27.2mm will not fit. It has no rear stay brace behind the BB Which I understand as a TT trend, but has track ends. Clearance on the wheels is limited particularly the front which seems to be for the use of tubs. I am assuming an 80/90's frame due shape of the recessed brake boss on the rear.
My initial thoughts was it was a shop built Roy Thame as its common to see these badged incorrectly as a Holdsworth and it has some similarities to the Competizione of the 70's. The main problem is the frame number location on the down tube socket on the BB and the style of rear brake boss. I have not seen this on anything out of the Holdsowrth Shop. It is used on a few factory models and plenty of Faclon Holdsworth in the 90's.
Having looked at many other options F W Evans of the 80's looks a distinct possibility for the following reasons. I have seen an Evans with a 3 digit number marked in this location late 80's so my 2 digit number is possibly an earlier one. I have seen Evans frame with this style of seat stay attachment and brake boss in the 80's. FW Evans did not seem to use head badges only decals and this frame does not have the rivet holes. Also I have seen PG frames and frames with windows in the lugs. I also believe Evans bought frame from both Holdsworth and Falcon at times so could explain the incorrect badge use.
What I have not seen is an Evans track/sprint or TT frame or any info on frame numbering for Evans. I have seen older frames with higher 4 digit numbers and a frame carrying a Holdsworth Factory number from the late 70's. I realise all these features are not unique to any one builder, but the Evans frames I have seen seem to be the closest. These also could also be indicative of a particular contract frame builder rather than any one company as I understand there would have been a lot of cross over in that area of London at the time.
I have attached some of the pictures below, my frame is the light blue one with the #55. My feeling is that this is some sort of training/winter single speed of the mid 80's. Any thoughts would be helpful.
My initial thoughts was it was a shop built Roy Thame as its common to see these badged incorrectly as a Holdsworth and it has some similarities to the Competizione of the 70's. The main problem is the frame number location on the down tube socket on the BB and the style of rear brake boss. I have not seen this on anything out of the Holdsowrth Shop. It is used on a few factory models and plenty of Faclon Holdsworth in the 90's.
Having looked at many other options F W Evans of the 80's looks a distinct possibility for the following reasons. I have seen an Evans with a 3 digit number marked in this location late 80's so my 2 digit number is possibly an earlier one. I have seen Evans frame with this style of seat stay attachment and brake boss in the 80's. FW Evans did not seem to use head badges only decals and this frame does not have the rivet holes. Also I have seen PG frames and frames with windows in the lugs. I also believe Evans bought frame from both Holdsworth and Falcon at times so could explain the incorrect badge use.
What I have not seen is an Evans track/sprint or TT frame or any info on frame numbering for Evans. I have seen older frames with higher 4 digit numbers and a frame carrying a Holdsworth Factory number from the late 70's. I realise all these features are not unique to any one builder, but the Evans frames I have seen seem to be the closest. These also could also be indicative of a particular contract frame builder rather than any one company as I understand there would have been a lot of cross over in that area of London at the time.
I have attached some of the pictures below, my frame is the light blue one with the #55. My feeling is that this is some sort of training/winter single speed of the mid 80's. Any thoughts would be helpful.
more pictures and information about my Mistral on page 65 of your excellent Holdsworth thread.. thank you.
