[CR]For Sale S.W.Cotten Bicycle

(Example: Racing:Jean Robic)

Date: Tue, 01 Aug 2006 21:48:47 -0500
From: "John T.Pergolizzi" <jtperry1@verizon.net>
To: <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
Subject: [CR]For Sale S.W.Cotten Bicycle

Dear List,

On offer is a beautiful and rare S.W.Cotten Campagnolo equipped road bicycle.

These frames were built at the shop of famous English builder W.B Hurlow. The completed painted and decaled frames were imported by Mr.Sam Cotten of Greenwich Village, New york City starting in the late 1960's as "S.W.Cotten. This example was purchased by me 3 years ago from the original Manhattan owner who received the bike in 1972. She is in her original finish of a resplendent orange with robin's egg blue seat tube panels. Gold lug lining completes the classic look. No dents or dings,cla and only the most minor of scratches are present, but the paint would benefit greatly from a good cleaning, polishing and waxing.

This frame is built of Reynolds 531 double butted steel tubing throughout with finely filed Prugnat long point lugs and a semi-sloping fork crown. Campagnolo 1010 "long" dropouts are at the rear. Notice the beautiful fastback seat stay treatment; a master's work! Size is 54.5 seat tube with a 55.5 top tube. Chain stay is 41mm in length. All measurements are center to center.

The component group is comprised of a full Campagnolo Nuovo Record gruppo with 170mm crank arms and "long" Campagnolo brakes with original "Globe" hoods. A 12.5cm Fiamme "Il Primmo Di Lusso" stem and matching Fiamme 38cm wide handlebars compliment her up front.

Wheels run straight and true and are built with Campagnolo "Record" High flange 36 hole hubs laced with Robergel Trois etoiles chrome plated 15 straight gauge spokes in a cross 3 pattern to Super Champion "Gentleman" 700C clincher rims shod with Performance Nova GT/K 700C x 25mm wide tyres. A Regina Oro freewheel and a Regina Extra Oro drilled chain transmit power to the rear.

This fine machine is set up in an interesting way with a left side Campagnolo 5 speed down tube shifter for the Campagnolo Nuovo Record front derailleur and a Campagnolo handle bar end shifter for the Campagnolo Nuovo Record rear derailleur. Perhaps more of a "criterium" set up.

Sam Cotten would further embellish his customer's bicycles by cutting out and drilling the Campagnolo chainrings of the crankset. This particular example is very keen. Extra special Arnold super light rear derailleur bolts and crank arm mounting bolts are also employed. A Brooks Swift titanium railed saddle and Silca frame fit pump are included.

After speaking to Mr.Cotten two years ago, I learned that after he began importing frames into The United States, he ventured to England and learned the frame building craft directly from William "Bill" Hurlow.

Mr.Cotten relocated to California in the late 1970's and set up his own frame building operation where he built bespoke frames until the late 1980's. As of our last conversation, as previously mentioned, Mr.Cotten was planning on reentering the frame building business.

Please refer to:

http://www.wooljersey.com/gallery/main.php?g2_itemId=156786

for photographs of this great S.W.Cotten bicycle when shown at the 2004 Velo Rendezvous in Pasadena, California in a 5 speed configuration.

This very low mileage wonderful S.W. Cotten is complete and ready for your riding enjoyment. Asking price $1,495.00