There seems to have been some rumour and confusion about this. Just to clarify the matter.
Ron Cooper is the only builder employed to build Bates Cantiflex frames.
Ron has no current plans to stop building Bates frames.
Should Ron decide to stop building our frames and retire, Bates would make an announcement.
If we do not make such an announcement, then be aware that any thing else is scurrilous rumour and should best be ignored until such time as an announcement is made by the Bates Company.
Regards
Martin Coopland, Scotland, http://www.BatesBicycles.com