Classic Bike Frames (pre-1970) 21.5in–22.5in

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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 (look below)
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

Touring frames
Track frames


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

GEORGE BROOKS ROAD FRAME 1956 21.5in Nervex Pro lugs
Seat Tube (ctt): 21.5in (55cm)
Top Tube (ctc): 22in (56cm)
Rear dropout width: 120mm
Wheel size: 27in or Sprints/700C with a brake drop of 64mm
Frame tubing: Reynolds 531 double butted
Seatpost size: 27.2mm
George Brooks had a cycle shop in Haringey, north London. See http://www.classiclightweights.co.uk/builders/george-brooks.html for more information. He moved his shop to Bristol in 1958. His frames were built by several different framebuilders including Ephgrave, Wally Green, possibly Vic Edwards and others. I think this is quite likely to be a Vic Edwards built frame judging by its style and fittings. The Nervex Pro lugs have been filed beautifully, the seatstay bridge is typically Vic Edwards and he certainly used that type of the seatstay top… The paint is in excellent condition. £245

 

WESTLAND CYCLES 1958 21.5in
Seat Tube (ctt): 21.5in (55cm)
Top Tube (ctc): 21.75in (55.5cm)
Rear dropout width: 115mm
Wheel size: 26 x 1 1/4in or Sprints/700C with a brake drop of 45mm
Seatpost size: 27.2mm
Frame tubing: Reynolds 531 double butted
Westland was a small framebuilder in Exeter who also had a shop in Exmouth. The Exeter shop was my local bike shop when I was a kid... They produced small numbers of very well crafted frames between about 1948 and 1960. This frame is in excellent condition – the paint has some marks but nothing too much. £225

 

VSM LIGHTWEIGHTS ROAD FRAME 21.5in possibly built by Stuart Purves
Seat Tube (ctt): 21.5in (55cm)
Top Tube (ctc): 22in (56cm)
Rear dropout width: 110mm
Wheel size: 27in or Sprints/700C with a brake drop of 58mm
Frame tubing: Reynolds 531 double butted
Seatpost size: 27.2mm
I do not know anything about VSM Lightweights but this is a very nicely built frame that I think could have been built by Stuart Purves who was a top class framebuilder in the early 1950s… The raised section extending from the seatstay top eyes down the seatstays and the rear brake bridge are very reminiscent of his work. Its in very nice condition andis built with very well filed Nervex Pro lugs… £225

 

LES EPHGRAVE NO 1 ROAD FRAME c1953 21.5in
Seat Tube (ctt): 21.5in (55cm)
Top Tube (ctc): 22.25in (56.5cm )
Rear dropout width: 115mm
Wheel size: 27s or Sprints/700C with brake drop of 58mm
Seatpost size: 27.2mm
Frame tubing: Reynolds 531 double butted
Les Ephgrave was and still is very well known for the fancy lugged frames built in his works in East London. He built frames both under his own name and for some shops in north and east London. Les Ephgrave was without doubt one of the high priests of frames with ornate lugs; his No1 lug design was the most popular in his range. This lug design was beautifully balanced and very kind to the eye most times – this is undoubtedly one of the really nice ones. There’s lots on Ephgrave at http://www.classiclightweights.co.uk/builders/ephgrave-builders.html
This stunning frame is in excellent condition and has just been repainted at Argos Cycles. £645

 

HETCHINS COMPETITION 1937 21.5in
Seat Tube (ctt): 21.5in (55.5cm)
Top Tube (ctc): 22.5in (57cm)
Rear dropout width: 120mm
Wheel size: 26s or 700C/sprints with a brake drop of 54mm
Seatpost size: 27.2mm
Frame tubing: Reynolds 531 double butted
Most pre-war Hetchins frames can be clearly identified as the dealer records show what the model was. This one was however supplied directly to an individual – G Hockland of London WC1 on 7th July 1937 for £16 10s which was more than any listed model. It has Competition lugs combined with Simplex dropouts and BSA fittings. It could possibly be an early Tour de France but I think it was more likely a special custom Competition… Lots more on Hetchins can be found at: http://www.hetchins.org It was repainted at some time by Macleans and is fitted with their renovation decals. Its in very sound condition with no issues – I expect most buyers will want to repaint it though the lining is very attractive. £425

 

HAWKES INTERNATIONAL ROAD FRAME c1950 22in Lovely lugwork
Seat Tube (ctt): 22in (56cm)
Top Tube (ctc): 23in (58cm)
Rear dropout width: 118mm
Wheel size: 27s or 700C/sprints with a brake drop of 61mm
Seatpost size: 27.2mm
Frame tubing: Reynolds 531 double butted
Hawkes was an old established east London cycle shop. There is some more info on Hawkes at: http://www.classiclightweights.co.uk/builders/hawkes-clarke-builders.html This Hawkes road frame I think dates from about 1950.
It has been nicely repainted and though has been built up has just one or two small marks. It is ready to be built into a lovely and unusual road bike. £285

 

GLORIA ROAD FRAME 54cm 1930s
Seat Tube (ctc): 54cm (21.25in)
Top Tube (ctc): 56.5cm (22.25in)
Rear dropout width: 117mm
Wheel size: Sprints/700C with a brake drop of 48mm
Frame tubing: Not known
BB threads: Italian
Seatpost size: 26.2mm
This Gloria road frame was built for an Italian professional rider in 1937 for use originally with a Vittoria Margherita gear – he later had the rear dropouts replaced with ones suitable for a Campagnolo Corsa gear… It comes complete with an excellent Campagnolo Corsa gear and set of wheels… £2250

 

HOLDSWORTH CYCLONE ROAD FRAME 22.5in 1951
Beautiful fancy lugs

Seat Tube (ctt): 22.5in (57cm)
Top Tube (ctc): 22.5in (57cm)
Rear dropout width: 116mm
Wheel size: 26in or Sprints/700C with a brake drop of 53mm
Frame tubing: Reynolds 531 double butted
Seatpost size: 27.2mm
This Holdsworth Cyclone road frame dates from about 1951. More on Holdsworth can be found at http://www.nkilgariff.com
This Holdsworth Cyclone road frame with its stunning ornate lugs has been beautifully refinished in an attractive red paint and is ready to build up. £325

 

TOM BOARD SUPER CHAMPION RECREATION FRAME c1985
Seat Tube (ctt): 22.5in (57cm)
Top Tube (ctc): 22.5in (57cm)
Rear dropout width: 120mm
Wheel size: Sprints/700C with a brake drop of 50mm
Frame tubing: Reynolds 531 double butted
Seatpost size: 27.2mm
This frame is a modern one built to take a brazed-on Super Champion Osgear. I am certain it was built by Tom Board with lugs and dropouts cut by Len Phipps probably around 1986. £245

 

FRANCE-SPORT ROAD FRAME 54cm c1952
Seat Tube (ctc): 54cm (21.25in)
Top Tube (ctc): 54cm (21.25in)
Rear dropout width: 118mm
Wheel size: Sprints/700C with brake drop of 48mm
Frame tubing: Vitus
Seatpost size: 26.4mm
France-Sport bikes were built in Valenciennes by Starnord. This is was a medium sized French bike builder who built a full range of bikes under the Paris-Sport, France-Sport and Starnord names. This is one of their top road frames with Nervex Pro lugs, fork crown and Simplex forged rear dropouts – the gear hanger has been cut off. It has French bottom bracket and headset threads. It has its original paint albeit in quite poor condition. Restored with suitably patinated parts this would look really rather good in my opinion. £175

 



** SPECIAL REDUCED PRICE**
R O HARRISON SHORTWIN 1949

Seat Tube (ctt): 22.5in (57cm), 21.5in (55cm) ctc
Top Tube (ctc): 23in (58cm)
Rear dropout width: 110mm
Wheel size: 27s or 700C/sprints with a brake drop of 57mm
Seatpost size: 27.2mm
Frame tubing: Reynolds 531 Butted Tubing
R O Harrison was a south London framebuilder who was one of Maurice Selbach’s framebuilders before he set up on his own around 1933. He had an excellent reputation. More details can be found at http://www.classiclightweights.co.uk/harrison.html R O Harrison frames are very consistent in quality. The Shortwin model was introduced in 1949 – this frame must been one of the first for its dated as being January 1949. It has been repainted in what I would guess to be its original paint style. The paint is a little thick and in places some light pitting shows but I think once built up it would look very good… A really rare and desirable frame – there are only about half a dozen known survivors. £545


** SPECIAL REDUCED PRICE**
NO-NAME ROAD 1940s Clear Lacquar finish

Seat Tube (ctt): 22in (56cm)
Top Tube (ctc): 22.5in (57cm)
Rear dropout width: 114mm
Wheel size: 27s or 700C/sprint with a front brake drop of 66mm
Seatpost size: 27.2mm
Frame Tubing: Accles and Pollocks butted tubing
I do not know who built this frame. It carries the the frame number AP CL 952 01 which could certainly suggest its from 1952 though I would have thought it was a bit earlier judging by the details. It has occurred to me it might possibly be a Pemberton Arrow… Whatever it’s a pretty nicely built frame… £95



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 (look above)
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

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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