[CR] British welded Alloy Frames

(Example: Racing)

From: "Mick Butler" <pariscyclesuk@hotmail.com>
To: Classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
Subject: [CR] British welded Alloy Frames
Date: Mon, 03 May 2004 19:29:39 +0000


Found this while looking for something for a list member. Both W.F.Holdsworth and Hobbs of Barbican will be exhibiting an all-aluminium-alloy welded frame at the forthcoming "Cycle Show". a similar experiment has already been made by French engineers and has met with success. The two British prototypes which have been made for more than 12 months, are the first all-welded alloy frames to be constructed in Great Britain. In general appearance these machines will look very similar to standard welded steel frames. Practically the same welding principles are in employed in the construction (although Holdsworths claim to use an exclusive jointing method in addition to the actual welding). Special hiduminium tubing was drawn by Reynolds of Birmingham, for the prototypes. The Hobbs machine was built from standard size cycle tubes. Seat and chain stays on this frame would appear to be a little stouter than those used on conventional steel frames. Forks have been treated in a surprisingly orthodox manner. A two-plate crown has been manufactured by Hobbs and the specially drawn blades inserted and welded in the normal way. Holdsworth's on the other hand, favour the use of a solid crown; that is one machined from a solid block. They are using specially drawn round section fork blades that incorporate mudguard eyelets near the bottom of the fork. Definite plans on general production of the new frames is uncertain. The holdsworth frame employs several distinctive features. The head tube will be reinforced with small "webbing" plates from top tube to head and head to down tube. Tube sizes have been increased form their normal steel counterparts, i.e. down tube is inch&quarter (normal inch&eigth), top tube inch&eigth instead of one inch. Heavy gauge alloy plate has been used for the rear drop-outs, with drilled lightening holes. The Holdsworth is a 24" frame and is fitted with a Bayliss wiley steel oilbath bottom bracket, Allez chainset and seat pillar; and total weight is 6lb. 8oz. I know Holdsworth's produced the alloy frame but what about Hobbs? Source "The Bicycle" November 17th. 1948 by Johnnie Dennis.

Mick Butler Huntingdon UK