Lo-Pro & Retro Time-Trial Bike Frames

This page is for Lo-Pro frames and retro time-trial frames in two sections below. I have good stocks of parts for both lo-pro frames including front wheels, wheelsets etc and for retro time-trial frames. A good selection of wheels for Lo-Pro frames can be found at:
http://hilarystone.com/wheels%20lopro.html

All our categories can be found in the sub-menu below – clicking on the category you want look at will get you directly to that page.

PLEASE NOTE: I measure all British, American and Japanese frames in inches ctt (centre to top) and convert to the nearest cm, conversely I measure all European and Italian frames in centimetres ctc (centre to centre) and convert to the nearest 0.25in.
A problem with all frames measured ctt is that the top measuring point varies from maker to maker and I try and second guess where the maker intended his measurement to be to – some mean top of top top tube, others the very top of the seat lug, and others to the seat lug top line…

FRAME SIZING
Do not assume that you will need a frame sized the same as your modern one – either seat tube or top tube. Fashion plays a great part in frame design and sizing. In the early years of the 20th century frames were sized as large as possible with virtually no seatpost showing … by contrast riders were advised in the 1920s to have as small a frame as possible.
Race/road frames from the 1920s/early 1930s will generally be sized about 3–5cm smaller than a modern frame but with a much longer top tube and shorter stems. Towards the end of the 1930s larger frame sizes became fashionable – up to 2cm larger than a modern frame. Top tube lengths were still longer used with shorter stems. In the 1940s and 50s frames were sized a bit larger still – 3–4cm more than a modern frame still with longer top tubes and shorter stems. In the 1960s and 1970s frames gradually reduced in size until the late 1980s. At the same time top tubes began to get shorter and stems longer.

Standover height is NOT a useful method of frame sizing either with modern or old frames. Short legged riders will rarely have much or any clearance between the top tube and their crotch unless the frame has a sloping top tube design. Taller riders also face other problems. A complete guide to frame sizing for frames of different periods is impossible to detail here. For frames from the 1980s onwards I suggest buyers look at Dave Moulton’s contributions on frame sizing. Possibly start off with http://davesbikeblog.squarespace.com/blog/2006/2/27/a-different-thought-on-frame-sizing.html
and then look at: http://www.davemoultonregistry.com/MoultonFrameSizeChart

I am willing to advise any customer on frame sizing with older frames.

Featured Frames
British and American road frames smaller than 21.5in
British and American road frames 21.5in–22.5in
British and American road frames larger than 22.5in
Bargain Basement
Classic Road frames pre-1970 smaller than 21.5in
Classic Road frames pre-1970 21.5in–22.5in
Classic Road frames pre-1970 larger than 22.5in
Classic Track & Road-Track frames pre-1970
European frames 56cm or smaller
European frames larger than 56cm
Italian frames 56cm or smaller
Italian frames larger than 56cm
Lo-Pro & Retro Time Trial frames
(look below)
Touring frames
Track frames


Please contact me at: hilarystone@hilarystone.com to check on availability and confirm shipping cost.

LO-PRO FRAMES

MICK GRAY LO-PRO TT FRAME late 1980s 23.5in
Seat Tube (ctt): 23.5in (59cm)
Top Tube (ctc): 23in (58cm) ctc, 22in (56cm) horizontal
Rear dropout width: 126mm
26in/650C front with Sprints/700C rear
Seatpost size: 27.2mm
Frame tubing: Reynolds 653
Mick Gray from Essex started framebuilding in the mid 1980s and has continued building small numbers of frames ever since. This lo-pro frame dating I should think from about 1988–90 is built from Reynolds 653 tubing. Its in very sound condition and uses a 26in/650C front wheel. £195

 

LOOK TT frame 54cm c2004 ex French pro rider
Seat Tube (ctc): 54cm (21.25in), 60cm (23.75in)
Top Tube (ctc): 56cm (22in)
Rear dropout width: 126mm
Wheel size: Sprints/700C with brake drop of 46mm
Frame tubing: Not known
Seatpost size: Oval
This frame was originally built for Guillaume Auger (the plate in front of the seat tube on the top tube carries his name) a minor French professional rider who at the time the frame was built was riding for R.A.G.T. Semences - MG Rover team. Its in very good condition with just a few small marks. There is no seat post with the frame. £645

 

ARGOS LO-PRO TT FRAME 18.5in 2000 Columbus Foco
Seat Tube (ctt): 18.5in (47cm)
Top Tube (ctc): 20.5in (52cm)
Rear dropout width: 130mm
Wheel size: 26in sprint/650C front, 700C rear
Frame tubing: Columbus Foco, Reynolds/Argos aero fork blades
Seatpost size: 27.2mm
Argos Cycles was started in 1974 by Arthur Needham as an adjunct to his engineering business. Frames are now built by Gary Needham, Arthur’s son. They are have enviable reputation for the care and precision with which they build their frames. And over the years they have built many lo-pro and TT frames. This lo-pro frames dates from 2000 is built from Columbus Foco combined with the special Argos aero Reynolds fork blades and Argos’ proprietary stainless steel dropouts. Its in beautiful condition with only a few small marks and shows off their superb workmanship. £295

 

STEVE GOFF LO-PRO FRAME 19in (16.75in ctc) Columbus Air
Seat Tube (ctt): 19in (48.25cm), 16.75in (42.5cm) ctc
Top Tube (ctc): 18in (46cm)
Rear dropout width: 130mm
Wheel size: Sprints/700C
Frame tubing: Columbus Air teardrop
Steve Goff is a small one man framebuilder who these days operates from near Skelmersdale. This is a lo-pro TT frame built from Columbus Air teardrop shaped tubing and has a threadless carbon fork fitted – from the frame number I suspect it was built in 1999… Its in good condition with just some corrosion bubbling around the top tube braze-ons. The Columbus Air seatpost has been cut at some time and then rejoined… Maximum rider inside leg would be about 32in… £185

 

BESPOKE LO-PRO 1982 24in
Seat Tube (ctt): 24in (61cm)
Top Tube (ctc): 23in (58cm)
Rear dropout width: 124mm
Wheel size: 700C/sprints
Seatpost size: 27.2
Frame Tubing: Ishiwata 019 Aero
This lo-pro frame built by Norris Lockley under the Bespoke Bicycle name dates I think from 1982. According to Norris its almost certainly built from Ishiwata 019 Aero tubing. It takes a standard round seatpost. The frame is in very sound condition with no dents or other problems but the paint is in poor condition. £175

 

 

RETRO TIME TRIAL FRAMES

** SALE PRICE**
ANDY THOMPSON TIME TRIAL FRAME 24.5in c1980

Seat Tube (ctt): 24.5in (57cm), 23.25in (59cm) ctc
Top Tube (ctc): 22.25in (56.5cm)
Rear dropout width: 125mm
Wheel size: Sprints/700C with a brake drop of 45mm
Frame tubing: ??????
Seatpost size: 27.2mm
Andy Thompson set up up Thompson frames in the late 1970s near Huddersfield in West Yorkshire. He later went on to work at Orbit and in collaboration with Isla Rowntree. He was responsible for some quite state-of-the-art frames in the late 1970s early 1980s – he used a variety of tubing including Ishiwata so I don’t know what tubing was used for this frame though I don’t think the steerer is Ishiwata as it does not have internal reinforcements typical of Ishiwata steerers; it is however butted. This TT frame is really nicely built. The paint is in very good condition though there are a number of marks which could be carefully retouched… £195



Featured Frames
British and American road frames smaller than 21.5in
British and American road frames 21.5in–22.5in
British and American road frames larger than 22.5in
Bargain Basement
Classic Road frames pre-1970 smaller than 21.5in
Classic Road frames pre-1970 21.5in–22.5in
Classic Road frames pre-1970 larger than 22.5in
Classic Track & Road-Track frames pre-1970
European frames 56cm or smaller
European frames larger than 56cm
Italian frames 56cm or smaller
Italian frames larger than 56cm
Lo-Pro & Retro Time Trial frames
(look above)
Touring frames
Track frames







SHIPPING COSTS

UK: £18
Europe: £35
North America: £90
Japan, Asia, Australasia, Africa, Middle East, South America: £115

Figures above are good estimates, rates may vary for some countries.
Contact us for more info.


CLICK ON the sale images to see a much larger picture!

FRAME CONDITION
Frames are supplied as seen in the pictures unless described otherwise in the text.
Please remember that these frames are generally at least twenty years old and sometimes seventy… In most cases I will know very little of their history but will attempt to describe any problems I can spot – if there are issues I have missed I will always work with the buyer to find a solution.
All frames I sell are in track and straight, with excellent headset threads, bottom bracket shell threads and gear hanger threads if fitted.
I will make every attempt to ascertain whether paint is original, an older repaint or a more recent repaint. Paint quality does vary quite bit…

These categories may be qualified by more detailed description in the text.

Excellent A very useable frame with no obtrusive marks to the paint and no dings or dents. Chrome if present will be free of serious marks unless stated otherwise.

Very Good Perfectly useable frame but with more marks to the paint and chrome if present. Some of the marks may benefit from careful retouching. Generally there will no dents or dings but if present will be small. However if you are concerned about dents/dings with frames in this category please ask me to do an extra check.

Sound Paint and chrome may need redoing depending on how you like your bikes – I appreciate frames with patina which show their age but others may want to repaint. There may be a small ding or two but nothing very significant – older frames often pick up smaller dents which are of no significance to their strength or life. Any more significant dents will be described in the text.

Needing repainting Paint will be poor and in my opinion is not saveable. There may be a small ding or two but nothing very significant – older frames often pick up smaller dents which are of no significance to their strength or life. If there are larger dents they will be described and/or pictured. These are all easily filled by a good framebuilder or frame painter at very little extra cost.

Headsets or bottom brackets fitted to frames are of unknown and unguaranteed condition unless specifically described in the text. Sometimes headsets or bottom brackets will not feel smooth and simply need a service and on other occasions the headset or bottom bracket will need replacing…
For frame without headsets or where you'd like a headset replaced I can offer a fitting service for £15. Please see the headset pages: http://hilarystone.com/headset.html for what is available but please bear in mind that you may need advice on whether a particular headset will fit your frame especially in relation to stack height.

 
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