Yet Another Purple One - 70’s Carlton Criterium

[Tobias Rodriguez]

GIGFY might have some competition when it comes to collecting purple bikes, I’ve gone and bought another one.

I’ve just purchased a 70’s Carlton Criterium and will collect it tomorrow. The Carlton catalogue states the colour is mauve! It looks quite tidy and the seller thinks it’s mostly original. He bought it from the original owner some years ago and has only covered limited miles on it since. The original pump is still on the bike which is a bonus. For £60 I could not resist and had to buy it.
I have a Brooks B17 saddle that I think it should have, so that will be put to use. The bike will be looked at properly in spring.
The listing pics were not the best but here they are.

 

[Tobias Rodriguez]

It’s a 1974 bike made in July, a few months younger than me.

Quick rundown on the non spec parts that I know of…
Brooks Vitesse 300 saddle, now swapped for a Brooks B17.
Shimano Tourney brakes, should be Weinmann 730’s I think.
Sugino GT chainset and Tange spindle, the seller gave me the original Tri arm cottered chainset with the original pedals.
That’s all I’ve discovered so far, there might be more, everything else looks right but you guys will know better than me. It does have some rather nice Michelin World Tour tyres which I was surprised to see were made in Japan. I’m not too keen on the Simplex derailleurs and shifters, I’m sure these could be replaced with something a little more classy, any ideas?

 

[Tobias Rodriguez]

The chainset, bb spindle and pedals cleaned up a treat, they will definitely be going back on the bike. I’ve bought some 1975 (the earliest I could find) Weinmann 730 calipers that need a bit of work, it looks like apart from the derailleurs and shifters it’s going back close to the original spec.

 

[Guinessisgoodforyou]

Very nice mate. An absolute bargain! Suntour vx or vx GT mechs would be better than plastic simplex. Or Cyclone if you're pushing the boat out.