Re: [CR]Unknown UK/ Schwinn frame

(Example: Component Manufacturers:Ideale)

Date: Sat, 15 Sep 2007 22:40:24 -0700 (PDT)
From: "Fred Rednor" <fred_rednor@yahoo.com>
Subject: Re: [CR]Unknown UK/ Schwinn frame
To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
In-Reply-To: <15289.1189779373@talktalk.net>


> I'm a 100% behind Jon Williams on this one !
>
> The frame is very definitely a Dawes...probably 1970s to
> early 80s. I can't remember the "Realm Rider" model too
> well, and would have plumped for
> the "Galaxy" model which was the company's top-of-the-range
> touring/club mac hine. Possibly the "realm Rider" and
> the "Galaxy" shared a common frame.
>
> The tubing is most likely to be plain gauge Reynolds 531..or
> at the best
> main tubes 531DB. The lugs are Hadens of Birmigham, the
> bracket ..well who
> knows as Dawes were using these on frames in the
> 50s...possibly Davis. As
> for the large rear drop-outs these were probably stamped out
> by Haden as we
> ll. The top-eyes..very long and deeply but not to tidily
> pressed into the s
> eat stay itself..these are very typically DAWES.
>
> The frame might have been a deep bronze metallic with
> chroming to half the forks and chain stays, or it might have been a mid- green flam.
>
> The frames were respected for being very stable and
> long-lasting work-horses..and one of the models recommended
> by the CTC - the Cyclists' Touring Club. They could be seen
> in their hundreds in the cycle sheds of the Youth
> Hostels of the land..and leaning against the walls of Clarion
> and CTC tea-rooms.
>
> One for keeping..a modern classic of its type.

"...and one of the models recommendedby the CTC - the Cyclists' Touring Club..." Aha! That explains why, when my wife and I were cycle-touring in Europe, it seemed as though half the British cyclists we met were riding these bikes. My recollection is that there was also a Claud Butler touring bicycle that was similar in atyle and equipment. I wonder who actually made those?

One distinct recollection I have about these bikes is that they came equipped with what was, to my way of thinking, wide range gearing at the front. I.e. something that looked like a 50-34 chainring combination. One day, I tried to give one of these bikes a really close inspection, when the owner - a young woman - became convinced that I was actually inspecting her lower anatomy. This lead to an "unpleasant incident" involving the young woman, my wife and myself. Most importantly, it kept me from getting a better understanding of the bike's drivetrain. C'est la vie...
     Fred Rednor - keeping my eyes straight ahead in
       Arlington, Virginia (USA)