Colin Laing bicycles
11-01-12, 04:11 PM
#51
Ian Laing
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Location: Omaha, Nebraska
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Ian Laing here, we didn't do the wishbone and the sunburst paint job until 1987. We began the American version while working at Tempe bike shop. During that time we used Mavic groupsets on our frames.
11-01-12, 04:20 PM
#52
Ian Laing
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Ian here, If this frame is a 56cm or 22 inch frame, this is quite possibly one of my personal frames that I rode and repainted and sold as used bike. I still have these decals in red, black or white lettering. They are a waterslide decal. Haven't used them for years.
11-01-12, 10:08 PM
#53
Steel is real, baby!
Thanks for clearing up that riddle about the respray Ian!
Do you still do any frame work at all, or is that chapter of your life closed?
Do you still do any frame work at all, or is that chapter of your life closed?
11-06-12, 07:59 PM
#54
Ian Laing
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I can still do frame work. I am currently working on a different kind of artwork. Check out thirdnailcreations.com to see what I am up to lately.
11-07-12, 11:36 PM
#55
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Last edited by whentruthdivide; 11-08-12 at 05:48 PM.
11-12-12, 04:27 AM
#56
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The green sparkle finish Colin Laing pre-1974 frame is still with my welder chum who's had a really busy year working away, so no progress on the frame repair yet. It will get repaired, I'm determined to do it! You mention that you still have some waterslide transfers. If you would be prepared to sell a set, I will be happy to buy one. I have the telephone number from the thirdnailcreations site - so I'll give you a call to discuss if that's OK
best regards
(Steve)
Last edited by olly708; 11-12-12 at 04:28 AM. Reason: spelling
11-16-12, 11:38 PM
#57
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Hey Mr Truth
I see your bike once belonged to the "Flying Scottsman". I used to own a Colian bike that was built for the same guy.
https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...ing?highlight=
I was told when I bought the bike that he was a personal friend of Colin's. It certainly was a unique bike. I am guessing that I had the later bike and you have the earlier one
I see your bike once belonged to the "Flying Scottsman". I used to own a Colian bike that was built for the same guy.
https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...ing?highlight=
I was told when I bought the bike that he was a personal friend of Colin's. It certainly was a unique bike. I am guessing that I had the later bike and you have the earlier one
11-17-12, 06:18 PM
#58
Decrepit Member
Coincidentally, I recently picked up a small paperback book published in 1975 by Bike World. The title is Bicycle Frames, and the cover price is $1.95.
There's a seven page chapter, Inside the Custom Frame Shop, by Colin Laing. It's well written, and describes the process of designing and building a custom frame in step-by-step detail.
Colin Laing page 1
Colin Laing page 2
Colin Laing page 3
Colin Laing page 4
Colin Laing page 5
Colin Laing page 6
Colin Laing page 7
There's a seven page chapter, Inside the Custom Frame Shop, by Colin Laing. It's well written, and describes the process of designing and building a custom frame in step-by-step detail.
Colin Laing page 1
Colin Laing page 2
Colin Laing page 3
Colin Laing page 4
Colin Laing page 5
Colin Laing page 6
Colin Laing page 7
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03-28-13, 07:08 PM
#59
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I am a long time lurker on here and was hoping I could find some help. There seems to be a lot of knowledgeable people here on Colin Laing and would like some assistance in determining more information, the pedigree, etc. of this bike that I recently acquired. I was told by the original owner it was a rebranded Cramerotti, but this doesn't make sense with the M on the headtube lug. Which from this, the second owner told me it was probably a rebranded Marinoni. But from another source, I was told that Mr. Laing would most likely not rebrand stuff, so the M is a bit of a mystery. Anyway, here are the pics, and I'm sorry if this counts as reviving a thread that is too old 
EDIT: I should also point out some details not seen in the pics. It has an Italian threaded BB shell, takes a 27.2 seatpost, takes modern 130mm road spacing (not sure if this was cold set or not), and has a braze-on for a front derailleur as well as a chain catcher and a brazeon for a frame pump on the headtube
EDIT: I should also point out some details not seen in the pics. It has an Italian threaded BB shell, takes a 27.2 seatpost, takes modern 130mm road spacing (not sure if this was cold set or not), and has a braze-on for a front derailleur as well as a chain catcher and a brazeon for a frame pump on the headtube
Last edited by Shaku; 03-28-13 at 07:12 PM.
04-06-13, 02:41 PM
#60
Steel is real
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very nicely made bikes
04-08-13, 07:03 AM
#61
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04-13-13, 06:46 AM
#62
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Maybe I'll give it a shot. Im in email contact with Stuart Laing, hoping he could dig up some info. Maybe I'll contact Ian that I see up there as well and see what else I can find.
04-15-13, 10:14 AM
#63
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I am no Laing expert, but it does look like an authentic Colin Laing to me. From what I have heard living in Phoenix is that Colin did do personal touches on bikes, so the 'M' in the headtube lug could have been the initial of the original owner of the bike. The pinstripping around the lugs definitely looks like a Colin Laing bike. The Red Laing I had (now sold) was 130mm rear spacing as well. I believe Colin built bikes up through mid 2000's or something so could be a more recent bike. It's really a nice looking frame though!
04-15-13, 10:20 AM
#64
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I finally built up the Ian Laing. I was going to repaint it (thanks Ian for the extra decals!), but I decided I liked the original paint for now. I had to coldset the rear triangle to 130mm to accept modern wheelset. But it went smoothly following Sheldon Brown's instructions. I have made a few changes since the picture; I swapped to a threadless adapter to run a modern stem and handlebar and replaced the pedals with clipless pedals. Really liking it!
Last edited by whentruthdivide; 04-15-13 at 10:30 AM.
04-15-13, 10:33 AM
#65
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I also built up the Red Coling Laing I had, and ended up selling it. I retrospect I wish I would have hung onto it, but I had too many bikes at the time and wanted to fund building the ian Laing.
04-22-13, 08:32 PM
#67
Ride, Wrench, Swap, Race
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That's mahvelous!
04-30-13, 12:33 AM
#69
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Looks lovely. Enid Blyton would have been pleased with the cable/toeclips and straps colour scheme!
04-30-13, 01:29 PM
#70
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Aha, a way to combine two of my internet interests! I am also into the trumpet (and other brass instruments) and this thread on another board I read gives an example of another piece of Laing family craftsmanship!
06-25-13, 11:36 AM
#71
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Finally collected the frame today. The paintwork is a bit battered and a previous owner had to use caustic soda to remove a stuck seat post. No doubt as to the quality of the build however. Lovely lug work, shot in seat stays, Campag front & rear dropouts, interesting fork crown. No frame number under the bottom bracket, but has the number 100 stamped into one rear dropout. Removed the forks and they have the same number 100 stamped into the steerer - so at least I can be certain the forks are original and match the frame. Rear dropout spacing is (as best I can measure it) 123mm. I can't believe the thickness of the paint - even though it's badly marked. Fortunately, the bottom bracket came out very easily and a relatively new Campag Athena headset came with the frame - so that's a bonus.
It also has the following message - hand printed in block letters on the top tube - underneath the lacquer....."I RIDE, THEREFORE I AM". This was obviously someone's pride and joy at one time. A sensitive restoration is on the horizon. Some pictures below.
It was purchased from the north-east of England, where Colin used to live and work. If it actually is one of Colin's frames, it's one he must have built in England, so if anyone can advise on the approximate date, or can put me in touch with Colin, I'd appreciate it. I know he's not been well, but he might be interested in knowing one of his English-built frames has survived the passing years relatively intact.
It also has the following message - hand printed in block letters on the top tube - underneath the lacquer....."I RIDE, THEREFORE I AM". This was obviously someone's pride and joy at one time. A sensitive restoration is on the horizon. Some pictures below.
It was purchased from the north-east of England, where Colin used to live and work. If it actually is one of Colin's frames, it's one he must have built in England, so if anyone can advise on the approximate date, or can put me in touch with Colin, I'd appreciate it. I know he's not been well, but he might be interested in knowing one of his English-built frames has survived the passing years relatively intact.
Painted, lacquered and decals fitted in my garage. All done with aerosols, so not as good as a professional painter, but very satisfying to bring this battered frame back to life. Just need to build it up with some good quality components.
Hope you like the finished effect.
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06-25-13, 12:59 PM
#72
Ride, Wrench, Swap, Race
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That looks VERY good for an aerosol job!
06-25-13, 04:53 PM
#73
incazzare.
07-22-13, 07:46 AM
#75
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Thanks very much it's truly a blast to ride, it feels like it may have been a crit bike built for someone with a name that started with a "M". it's quite twitchy and has an extremely tight wheelbase and millimeters of clearence in the rear triangle as you can see.
it's truly a blast to ride, it feels like it may have been a crit bike built for someone with a name that started with a "M". it's quite twitchy and has an extremely tight wheelbase and millimeters of clearence in the rear triangle as you can see.