Ray Green wrote I recall seeing used wheels with these hubs hanging up in my local bikeshop in the late fifties. The owner said it was a crazy idea that would never catch on ! I never saw one installed in a bike. I'm sure the wheels finished up in the skip. Ray Green Brighton
I cannot agree with Ray and his comments regarding the disposal of these beautifully manufactured hubs. Far from been thrown in the skip (don't think there were such things those days,skips I mean) they were very popular with the clubfolk I knew at the time especially with the tourist. It was possible to have a whole range of gears with these hubs by removing and replacing different size sprockets as and when required. As a complete change from the hub gear it lead to a new fashion in the use of derailleur gearing. That is ofcourse if riders of the day could afford the luxury of having a free hub and rear mech and fix wheel riding was still used by most time trialists.
I still use my Holdsworth La Quelda with its BW free hub today and with a large flange front BW it looks all the part of the era.
Doug Smith
North Dorset
UK