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Forgotten 20th Century Frame Builders

by Dawes_Truly
Tue, May 09, 2023 16:14
6

Trying to track down information about and celebrate the lesser-known or forgotten frame builders of Great Britain.

If you're new please join in and if you have questions pop them below and the forum regulars will answer as best we can.

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6 comments

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Jack Sexty | 1 year ago
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These might be a bit more well-known than you're looking for but Steve T did a couple of round-ups of British framemakers for us in recent years, split into north and south: 

https://road.cc/content/feature/classic-20th-century-bike-frame-builders...
https://road.cc/content/feature/best-classic-bike-builders-north-291119

As a Stafford local I'll nominate Henry Burton, still going!

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peted76 | 1 year ago
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I feel like I've seen a book celebrating old british bike builders.. or maybe it was an article.. 

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David9694 | 1 year ago
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my first attempt at refurb was of a John Atkins frame - a cyclo crosser back in the day and there is still a shop with the name 

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peted76 replied to David9694 | 1 year ago
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David9694 wrote:

my first attempt at refurb was of a John Atkins frame - a cyclo crosser back in the day and there is still a shop with the name 

A local to me shop! Coincidentally I'm due to pick up my uncles old John Atkins bike which he's gifting to me 1

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Welsh boy | 1 year ago
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I still ride a hand made in the early 1980s, 531 tubing made by a one man business from Cardiff by the name of Bryan Warnett.  His main business was vacuum cleaner repairs and he used to make frames as a side line.  It is the only frame I have kept and I still enjoy riding it even though the stem has been raised about 2 inches and shortened by abut 1 inch from when I first had it made.  I have a short inside leg so off the peg frames were always a compromise, either too long in the seat tube or too short in reach so having a frame made to my requirements was a real blessing.  Sadly Bryan is no longer with us but his frame lives on.

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Dawes_Truly | 1 year ago
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I have a racer from the mid to late 90s with the name PAYNE written on the seat tube.  It is Reynolds 531c throughout and I was hoping that someone here might recognise the name.  I know the parts were built from scratch but I think the frame was custom-made.  

I would hazard a guess that it was a northern bike builder.  

Ring any bells?

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