Hamilton tt - sprint bike
Does anyone out there have any info on Hamilton frames built in the bay area during the late 80's - early 90's. They have 24 inch wheels and were built for time trials. I have one and I love it. I also have found 2 additional wheelsets taken from a deceased one on Craigslist awhile back. I have thoroughly scoured the internet but have come up entirely empty handed so far.
Any leads or info would be tremendously appreciated!! -Thog |
I met the guy once on Diablo, I think he lived in Clayton. We discussed the benefits and problems with 24" wheels. He sponsored a pretty famous female triathlete. His bikes needed a special crank and pedal combination that was pretty funky... the crankarm was short (maybe for a low bottom bracket clearance), and the pedal had an extender so that it wasn't always in-line with the crankarm... too weird for most roadies but triathletes like stuff like that. Look for old race photos of Paula Newby Fraser
http://www.active.com/Assets/Triathl...wby_inside.jpgI think his name was Ralph, and Hamilton was his middle name. He was kind of a heavy and stubborn but interesting guy. |
Hamilton
Thanks, DiabloScott, that's helpful information! Was he riding one when you met him?
One feature I love about the bike is it's immediate acceleration. It feels jackrabbit responsive. Mine came with a standard (for it's era) Shimano 600 crank with 172.5 crank arms. The person I bought it from knew nothing of its history though, so many modifications could have occurred along the way. I'll post a pic as soon as I'm able. -Thog |
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Originally Posted by thogsez
(Post 11187389)
Thanks, DiabloScott, that's helpful information! Was he riding one when you met him?
I also remember his saying that fillet brazing was way better than lugged because it was so much lighter. I think he may have been South African too... I'll ask my buddy who was on the ride that day. You might try posting on the Classic and Vintage forum too - there's a lot of experience over there. |
Originally Posted by DiabloScott
(Post 11187819)
You might try posting on the Classic and Vintage forum too - there's a lot of experience over there.
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Not a peep over at the Classic and Vintage site! I have since aquired another frame that was supposedly ridden in the Olympics! I'm guessing it will be a lifetime (remaining) project to pull this one back together...
-Doug (Thog) |
As a small-wheel appreciator, this is intriguing.
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Originally Posted by bigbenaugust
(Post 13496887)
As a small-wheel appreciator, this is intriguing.
I've been loving them for awhile too! The Hamilton is really one of my favorite bikes to ride. The Cannonale TT bikes with 650s started the small wheel fascination with me... |
My Other (mystery) Hamilton
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I've established contact with the person that was primarily involved with the building and sponsorship of this bike! I'm just waiting for pics and info...
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Still waiting...
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Originally Posted by thogsez
(Post 11181716)
Does anyone out there have any info on Hamilton frames built in the bay area during the late 80's - early 90's. They have 24 inch wheels and were built for time trials. I have one and I love it. I also have found 2 additional wheelsets taken from a deceased one on Craigslist awhile back. I have thoroughly scoured the internet but have come up entirely empty handed so far.
Any leads or info would be tremendously appreciated!! -Thog |
Originally Posted by Dagger6300
(Post 13912708)
I have one too orange and yellow LArge 26" frame. but the bike is awesome i know they are from South Africa but thats about it
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One just showed up on the New Orleans Craigslist: http://neworleans.craigslist.org/bik/4114618449.html
Very Rare Racing Bicycle 1978 Hamilton Frame Technology Time Trials Bicycle -Hand made in Hamilton Australia -Used for Olympic Time Trials -Dura-Ace Wheel Hubs -Dura-Ace Bottom Bracket -Dura-Ace Head Set -Campy Brakes -16 Speed -24" x 1" tires http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=344749 |
Originally Posted by rcschafer
(Post 16140540)
One just showed up on the New Orleans Craigslist: http://neworleans.craigslist.org/bik/4114618449.html
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It's too bad one can't attach PDF files here. I would be more than happy to post the magazine article I have interviewing Ralph Hamilton Lewis in 1989 ... any interest?
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Originally Posted by thogsez
(Post 16159603)
It's too bad one can't attach PDF files here. I would be more than happy to post the magazine article I have interviewing Ralph Hamilton Lewis in 1989 ... any interest?
Yeah! You could post them as photos - scan or screen shot. |
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Originally Posted by DiabloScott
(Post 16159807)
Yeah! You could post them as photos - scan or screen shot.
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This one popped up on CL near me:
http://boston.craigslist.org/sob/bik/4181154011.html It's a real curiosity -- even at 160psi, the old tubulars are not quite un-squirmy. What's the aftermarket availability of Junior Pro wheels and tires? |
Hi, i found an Hamilton frame too, for 24" wheels like yours, about a year ago.
I'm also trying to gather some informations on these frames but they're really rare. I live in France, and found it here with no info at all on the frame history or the brand, and without wheels or gear. Mine has a Bio-technica/Mecacycle (famous french builder) stickers on it, maybe from a sponsorship? Here are some pics: https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-W...195833_HDR.jpg https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-z...126_195747.jpg Here are some details, it has Excell tubing, chromed lugs, and a oversize diag tube: http://img15.hostingpics.net/pics/330989359.jpg http://img15.hostingpics.net/pics/881487896.jpg http://img15.hostingpics.net/pics/8715687310.jpg http://img15.hostingpics.net/pics/177182518.jpg So i'm desperately trying to find sattui composite wheels now, or any 24" carbon/composite (disc?) wheelset, but none showed in a year. If someone got a plan for them... Also Thogsez, if you could repost you article in higher quality, i'm really interested, thank you. |
Originally Posted by kimbo305
(Post 16236266)
What's the aftermarket availability of Junior Pro wheels and tires?
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Originally Posted by mutchix
(Post 16245448)
Here are some details, it has Excell tubing, chromed lugs, and a oversized diag tube: Also Thogsez, if you could repost you article in higher quality, i'm really interested, thank you. I'll be happy to try to post a higher resolution pic of the article if I can, otherwise, I'd be happy to email you the original PDF file. -Doug |
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