beenatitforyears
Dirt Disciple
Hi, I've been a Paul Donohue bike fan for many years and sadly it's time to sell my favourite road bike of his.
I am lucky to have a titanium MTB that he built for me and always wanted a road bike to match.
Paul himself refers to these frames as a unicorn as he only ever made a handful. I found this frame some years ago, the owner had painted it orange and unfortunately he'd also made a small crack in the seat tube while clumsily fitting a modern front mech.
I had it professionally repaired and built up as you see. Full Campagnolo 8 Speed record Titanium groupset (chainset, seatpost and pedals separate).
The wheels are on hope hubs, and we're actually sent to Pete Matthews for a rebuild and are really lovely. I can't remember if the hubs are titanium or not.
USE seatpost and Rolls titanium saddle to be included.
The forks are also titanium and Paul is adamant that he never built any titanium forks, I understand why as they are awful, way, way too flexible.
When I was riding the bike I had it fitted with the forks from the orange frame which are actually carbon forks originally supplied by Paul but painted orange.
I'm also selling the orange frame which is In my opinion the best frame Paul ever made and I have ridden many.
It's 531 millennium tubing with his unique stainless steel dropouts and chain stays, it really is a lovely ride.
This was my road frame until I found the titanium one and the contentious paint scheme was done by me. As you can see the paint is starting to flake from the head tube where I've been taking the forks on and off, other than that it's ok.
Of note, the titanium frame appears on the internet painted blue and suggesting that it was built for Chris Boardman. Paul states that this is impossible as the frames he built for Chris were way before his titanium frames. That said, it's geometry is aggressive and it's certainly a race bike.
I'm now old and struggle to ride the bike due to it's aggressive position and for the last year or so the bike has worn the titanium forks and hung on my wall simply as art next to my titanium MTB.
As sad as it is to let it go It needs to be in the hands of an enthusiast and see the light of day again.
I would like to sell the bike, the Campagnolo components and the 531 frame as a job lot.
I have no idea of what it's actually worth as the frame is so rare, the components are also rare and desirable and even the wheels are special. That said it's not a museum piece and it's been used and although cared for it's not perfect.
I think £1000 for everything is a fair price but if you think I'm wrong let me know, I'm more bothered about it going to the right home rather than making money.
If anyone wants to see it I'm in the north of England.
I'm reluctant to post due to possible damage/faff etc.
The titanium frame.
Seat tube 53cm CTC.
Top tube 57cm CTC
531 frame.
Seat tube, 56cm CTC
Top tube, 58cm CTC
Hope they find a happy new home.
I am lucky to have a titanium MTB that he built for me and always wanted a road bike to match.
Paul himself refers to these frames as a unicorn as he only ever made a handful. I found this frame some years ago, the owner had painted it orange and unfortunately he'd also made a small crack in the seat tube while clumsily fitting a modern front mech.
I had it professionally repaired and built up as you see. Full Campagnolo 8 Speed record Titanium groupset (chainset, seatpost and pedals separate).
The wheels are on hope hubs, and we're actually sent to Pete Matthews for a rebuild and are really lovely. I can't remember if the hubs are titanium or not.
USE seatpost and Rolls titanium saddle to be included.
The forks are also titanium and Paul is adamant that he never built any titanium forks, I understand why as they are awful, way, way too flexible.
When I was riding the bike I had it fitted with the forks from the orange frame which are actually carbon forks originally supplied by Paul but painted orange.
I'm also selling the orange frame which is In my opinion the best frame Paul ever made and I have ridden many.
It's 531 millennium tubing with his unique stainless steel dropouts and chain stays, it really is a lovely ride.
This was my road frame until I found the titanium one and the contentious paint scheme was done by me. As you can see the paint is starting to flake from the head tube where I've been taking the forks on and off, other than that it's ok.
Of note, the titanium frame appears on the internet painted blue and suggesting that it was built for Chris Boardman. Paul states that this is impossible as the frames he built for Chris were way before his titanium frames. That said, it's geometry is aggressive and it's certainly a race bike.
I'm now old and struggle to ride the bike due to it's aggressive position and for the last year or so the bike has worn the titanium forks and hung on my wall simply as art next to my titanium MTB.
As sad as it is to let it go It needs to be in the hands of an enthusiast and see the light of day again.
I would like to sell the bike, the Campagnolo components and the 531 frame as a job lot.
I have no idea of what it's actually worth as the frame is so rare, the components are also rare and desirable and even the wheels are special. That said it's not a museum piece and it's been used and although cared for it's not perfect.
I think £1000 for everything is a fair price but if you think I'm wrong let me know, I'm more bothered about it going to the right home rather than making money.
If anyone wants to see it I'm in the north of England.
I'm reluctant to post due to possible damage/faff etc.
The titanium frame.
Seat tube 53cm CTC.
Top tube 57cm CTC
531 frame.
Seat tube, 56cm CTC
Top tube, 58cm CTC
Hope they find a happy new home.
