DMNHCAGrandPrix

When I first got interested in bikes in early 70s, the top of the line Raleigh Professional with it's Victor Fastback seat stays was an object of extreme lust. I saved money for a year and a half, and was able to afford a Raleigh Grand Prix instead.

Last week I saw a bike on Craigslist that stopped me in my tracks. Not a Raleigh. Definitely English however. And with an unusual seat cluster and attention to detail that went far beyond anything I was used to seeing in any production bike. I went up to take a look this weekend, went for a test ride, and brought home a beautiful Ron Cooper.


From the serial number on the bottom bracket, and the nine speed Campagnolo Record group on the bike, I believe the frame was built in 1997 and equipped in 1998. Ron began his frame building career in 1947 at Gillott Cycles in London, and set up his own essentially one-man shop in 1970. He is particularly well known for using careful mitering and freehand brazing instead of jigs. When you personally hand build every frame that has your name on it, you don't produce nearly as many bikes as builders who set up larger production facilities. However Ron had 50 years of frame building experience when he built this bike in 1997. It is a rare pleasure to see, own, and ride a bike built by someone who began producing frames before Fausto Coppi won his first Tour de France. Still cleaning it up and dialing it in, but already grinning from ear to ear after my first few rides on a modern classic.

tugrul

Whoa.

DMNHCAGrandPrix

Drive train. Notice lugged drop outs both front and rear.

DMNHCAGrandPrix

Unusual rear seat stay cluster, combining lugs at top tube, a single "fast back" join on seat tube, and seat stays that connect just above rear brake.

Andycapp

This is just awesome! That, the lugged dropouts and the brazed "head-tube badge", are the perfect blend of artistic/functional craftsmanship without any over the top gaudiness. I'm loving how the lug and brazing blend in that seat cluster, very cool! Thanks for sharing this unique machine.

-Andy

Ciufalon

That bike is really a work of art. Nice find! I am sure you will be grinning from ear to ear for a long time to come enjoying the ride of that beautiful bike. It may have taken a long time, but you definitely have a lust worthy bike now! Everything about it says class.

DMNHCAGrandPrix

Thanks for the nice comments. Here's the last batch of the night.




More info on Ron Cooper and his bikes and methods can be found at the site below. However, I needed the "WayBack Machine" to be able to view the interesting collection of articles and interviews.

https://web.archive.org/web/200904010...operabout.html

plodderslusk

Wow ! I love the seatstay design.

gomango

Sounds and looks like a great bicycle.

All kinds of interesting details on this one.

So, were each of his bikes "custom" orders?

What tubeset is indicated on this particular bicycle?

I know very little about the brand and this one makes me quite curious.



....and the condition looks to be outstanding.

Italuminium

Amazing find! and full record too, awesome. The attention to detail is fenomenal on this bike, judging from the pics. Many happy miles!

Lenton58 

This a shining example of how artisanship surpasses 'production' ,and how personalization of the process of design and execution turns a machine into a work of art. A beautiful selection of group components really sets it off.

One question — how do I get a saddle that that one?

old_dreams

That really is a beaut! One of the nicest Ron Coopers I've ever seen.

What size is it. Look about a 58-59 CC.

Alex Moll

Wow - you scored big time. Ron Cooper is a highly regarded British builder - your pics explain why. Timeless beauty.

Henry III

I had those designs in my frame that built this summer. Even with the lugged fork dropouts. The seat tube lug is a little different but the wishbone is a lot alike. Very cool find and definitely nice ride.

David Newton

Whoa! Beautiful bike.

It's not vintage, get it outa here! :^)

repechage

Ron Cooper did build to order, and some of those were orders from bike shops who ordered a few at a time, say 6.

Zaphod Beeblebrox 

Wow. I love mono seatstays and this one really takes the cake.
Very nice, abnd nicely photographed. I hope you ride the hell out of it.

KonAaron Snake 

As Joey lawrence would say - WHOAAAAA. I love everything about that bike - from the lines to the little flourishes.

elguicho 

Great find, I hope you get many years of enjoyment.

Sixty Fiver

My Cooper is about 20 years older with more classic elements although the monostay in the rear is a beautiful feature (my Proctor has this).

Have handled a lot of rather beautiful hand built bicycles in my life... nothing has ever come close to my Cooper for the exquisite attention to detail and they are as fast and smooth as they are beautiful.

It is no understatement when people say he is the greatest living frame builder.

gaucho777 

Stunning bike. As others have said, I love all the details and fastback arrangement. I also LOVE the color--reminds me of a Cinelli laser, though with more blue.

DMNHCAGrandPrix

Also a Cooper? Is it being built new, or are you putting parts on an older frame?

DMNHCAGrandPrix

I measure 57.5 cm for seat tube and 58 cm for top tube length (both center to center).
Seat tube angle appears to be about 72 degrees, and head tube angle a bit steeper (73.5 or 74).

DMNHCAGrandPrix

There is no indication of tubing type on the frame. Ron Cooper has said in interviews that he uses a variety of tubing types, and often mixes and matches between sets when building a frame.

I suspect this particular bike was originally ordered through Bicycle Odyssey in Sausalito, a bike shop that has worked with Ron Cooper and displays and sells his frames.
https://www.classicrendezvous.com/Bik...le-Odyssey.htm

I may take a trip up to Sausalito and see if they can provide any more information on the history of this particular bike. The Craigslist seller was helping with the estate of the original owner, so did not know all the details of how the bike was ordered and built.

Zaphod Beeblebrox 

I love it when people go sleuthing for the history of their bike....always makes for an interesting story. Best of luck!