A Pat Hanlon frame - anyone heard of her?
#1
South Seas Correspondent
Thread Starter
A Pat Hanlon frame - anyone heard of her?
Good evening. I just bought an intriguing bike. It's a Pat Hanlon. Scarce info available on the web, but I think she was a bike shop proprietor in North London in the 60s/70s/80s?. She had a shop near Hetchins in Tottenham, worked with 531, was well known for elaborate lugwork, and built some (but not all) of the frames herself. Don't have much info on my new bike, but there are a few pickies from the auction - pretty grungy I fear. I think I get to pick it up tomorrow. Meantime, I would very much appreciate any info from BF's resident human cyclomasterminds. Cheers - Jeff
#2
Senior Moment
Info on Pat Hanlon at https://www.classiclightweights.co.uk/PatHanlon.html ....Peter
#3
South Seas Correspondent
Thread Starter
Thanks Peter. It's an interesting read. Sounds as if the London framebuilders of the time were a tight bunch. Don't suppose anyone has a catalogue or article relating to Pat Hanlon? Hey, you gotta ask!
#4
Newbie
Pat Hanlon
As a pimply youth living in Bounds Green, North London, I spent a year's paper round money (£50) on a tailor-made bike made by Pat Hanlon. It was a 24in frame with very fancy lugwork, a chrome finish ovelaid with a translucent red paint job and weighed so little I could easily pick it up on my little finger. All the components were the best available at the time (Campagnolo 10-speed gears and Weinmann centre-pull brakes) and it turned me from a skinny kid on a bike to a half-decent racer almost instantly. Her workmanship was 1st class and although she looked a bit like a Russian shot-putter she was a really nice person to work with and took note of everything I asked for. Her workshop was down the southern end of Tottenham High Rd on the corner with Philip Rd and was a mecca for North London cyclists. I certainly never heard of any other lady bike makers and I doubt that if there were any they could have equalled her skill at frame making. Indeed, few men were her equal either.
A lovely lady ahead of her time.
GB
A lovely lady ahead of her time.
GB
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#5
Senior Member
Pat Hanlon
[MENTION=145140]gerrybearman[/MENTION] Reviving this thread on the off chance:
Gerry, don't suppose you still have your Pat Hanlon and would be interested in selling it on?
Gerry, don't suppose you still have your Pat Hanlon and would be interested in selling it on?
#6
Senior Member
And in fact does anyone out there have a Pat Hanlon they'd think of selling on?!
#8
incazzare.
Gerry only posted on the forum once, 8 years ago, so I doubt you are going to be able to reach him.
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1964 JRJ (Bob Jackson), 1973 Wes Mason, 1974 Raleigh Gran Sport, 1986 Schwinn High Sierra, 2000ish Colian (Colin Laing), 2011 Dick Chafe, 2013 Velo Orange Pass Hunter
1964 JRJ (Bob Jackson), 1973 Wes Mason, 1974 Raleigh Gran Sport, 1986 Schwinn High Sierra, 2000ish Colian (Colin Laing), 2011 Dick Chafe, 2013 Velo Orange Pass Hunter
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#9
Senior Member
Thanks [MENTION=190364]lostarchitect[/MENTION], I figured he may get an email but clearly not.
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My daughter is checking out a late sixties Pat Hanlon for me. I can't wait for the pics and information...
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"98% of the bikes I buy are projects".
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#12
Senior Member
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Had the opportunity to see in person one of her road framesets about 1973. It looked to have been done ca. 1970. Was 24" opaque medium blue with the same black bands seen in Randy's image. It had a full sloping crown and a Bramtpon Victor seat stay treatment. Cannot recall now the lugs and ends with confidence.
Was brought into the U.S. by none other than cycling history writer Andrew Ritchie.
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Interesting that Randy's find has Ambrosio I-beam stem and GB Coureur 66 brakeset. Those items worth the price of admission right there!
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Had the opportunity to see in person one of her road framesets about 1973. It looked to have been done ca. 1970. Was 24" opaque medium blue with the same black bands seen in Randy's image. It had a full sloping crown and a Bramtpon Victor seat stay treatment. Cannot recall now the lugs and ends with confidence.
Was brought into the U.S. by none other than cycling history writer Andrew Ritchie.
---
Interesting that Randy's find has Ambrosio I-beam stem and GB Coureur 66 brakeset. Those items worth the price of admission right there!
-----
Last edited by juvela; 07-19-18 at 03:30 PM.
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Well, my daughter got me some pictures, now all I have to do is decide what to do. What do you gals/guys think the bike is worth, as a bike or parted out? Sorry for the small pictures...
Ambrosia stem...
Lycette saddle...
Steel rims...
Pump...
Campagnolo Grand Sport...
? crank...
GB brake...
GB lever...
Ambrosia stem...
Lycette saddle...
Steel rims...
Pump...
Campagnolo Grand Sport...
? crank...
GB brake...
GB lever...
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"98% of the bikes I buy are projects".
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#15
Senior Member
An interesting bike of the period. When the modest extra cost of Campagnolo forged ends was just too dear in the overall consideration.
I like the look of the bike very much.
Price / value is I think very difficult to assess.
To one who has a urgent desire for one, probably pretty strong in a bidding situation.
Open market? Tough, very tough.
Size "looks" 22" center to top, probably a 'Square" bike with a 22" top tube too.
I like the look of the bike very much.
Price / value is I think very difficult to assess.
To one who has a urgent desire for one, probably pretty strong in a bidding situation.
Open market? Tough, very tough.
Size "looks" 22" center to top, probably a 'Square" bike with a 22" top tube too.
#16
I'm thinking the size looks to be about 21" or 54 cm to the top. But, I'm always wrong.
Where is this bike located?
If you do decide to part it out, what do you think the frame is worth?
Where is this bike located?
If you do decide to part it out, what do you think the frame is worth?
#17
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Where is this bike located?
If you do decide to part it out, what do you think the frame is worth?
If you do decide to part it out, what do you think the frame is worth?
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"98% of the bikes I buy are projects".
"98% of the bikes I buy are projects".
#18
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#19
Junior Member
Recently joined and noticed an old Pat Hanlon thread
I bought the frame a couple of years ago which had already been finished to a high standard and sold as it had not been used.
Frame dates from 1977 and I was told that it might be a Tom Board - as covered in Pat's history in earlier links - Pat ran a London cycle shop but didn't build the frames herself, but built highly respected wheels. Different frame builders were employed over the years, built to customers specifications.
Built up with Shimano Golden Arrow, plus Campag hubs and Mavic rims. Very nice ride, with Brooks saddle.
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#20
Senior Member
GMull That’s a great looking bike and fab build.
A few years ago I finally got myself a Pat Hanlon. It had been stripped and powder coated in neon orange. Horror! I packaged it up with new transfers to Mercian cycles in Derby, UK. They re-enamelled the frame and I’ve rebuilt it with a conversion kit and Campag 11-speed Potenza group set and Chris King hubs. It’s my favourite bike and a dream to ride.
A few years ago I finally got myself a Pat Hanlon. It had been stripped and powder coated in neon orange. Horror! I packaged it up with new transfers to Mercian cycles in Derby, UK. They re-enamelled the frame and I’ve rebuilt it with a conversion kit and Campag 11-speed Potenza group set and Chris King hubs. It’s my favourite bike and a dream to ride.
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#21
Senior Member
And then more recently got a single speed frame. The seller had this info...
‘ I bought the frame off a fellow member of the Colchester Rovers in, I think, 1978. He had the frame built by Pat Hanlon. He rode it on Paddington track in London when he was student in London.There is a frame number on the left-hand rear dropout, so you might be able to get an exact date of manufacture off the marque expert in the Veteran Cycle Club. I had it refinished when I bought it, but originally it was sort of "lavender" enamel. I rode on it at Herne Hill a few times, but mostly used in for grass-track, including riding at Mildenhall in the 1980s and 1990s. I also used it for time-trialling, and even managed to do 59:43 for a 25ml tt on it, though that was on the E72 so it doesn't mean much. I haven't used it much for the last five years: I don't seem to be able to pedal as fast as I used to!’
I’ve sent it to Mercian again for re-enamelling in blue and deep gold with white lug lining and a few finishing touches. I’ll post some photos when it comes back but here’s the before photos.
‘ I bought the frame off a fellow member of the Colchester Rovers in, I think, 1978. He had the frame built by Pat Hanlon. He rode it on Paddington track in London when he was student in London.There is a frame number on the left-hand rear dropout, so you might be able to get an exact date of manufacture off the marque expert in the Veteran Cycle Club. I had it refinished when I bought it, but originally it was sort of "lavender" enamel. I rode on it at Herne Hill a few times, but mostly used in for grass-track, including riding at Mildenhall in the 1980s and 1990s. I also used it for time-trialling, and even managed to do 59:43 for a 25ml tt on it, though that was on the E72 so it doesn't mean much. I haven't used it much for the last five years: I don't seem to be able to pedal as fast as I used to!’
I’ve sent it to Mercian again for re-enamelling in blue and deep gold with white lug lining and a few finishing touches. I’ll post some photos when it comes back but here’s the before photos.
#22
Junior Member
Pat Hanlon
Both nice looking frames and I like how you have finished the first bike shown.
Pat Hanlon frames seem to be a lottery price wise. I paid less than the cost of a re-finish for mine, but obviously had to go with the sellers colour scheme, although pleased with how it turned out. They are a very nice frame though and perhaps underrated by other than those in the know.
I will be interested to see how you finish the track frame. What years are the frames - I understand it's the last two digits of the serial number, mine ends in 77?
Please see my other post, if you haven't already, re trying to identify my track frame.
Pat Hanlon frames seem to be a lottery price wise. I paid less than the cost of a re-finish for mine, but obviously had to go with the sellers colour scheme, although pleased with how it turned out. They are a very nice frame though and perhaps underrated by other than those in the know.
I will be interested to see how you finish the track frame. What years are the frames - I understand it's the last two digits of the serial number, mine ends in 77?
Please see my other post, if you haven't already, re trying to identify my track frame.
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I bought this bike few month ago - a mismatched crankset sporting a, what today would be classed as a sub-compact chainrings, some paint chips here and there, but generally in nice condition. The seller apparently bought it from the original owner, who had it from new since 1970s.
Is it real PH or not? I can't tell as no serial number found, but for the price I paid I will not be that upset if not, it rides nicely regardless.
Is it real PH or not? I can't tell as no serial number found, but for the price I paid I will not be that upset if not, it rides nicely regardless.
#24
Senior Member
I bought this bike few month ago - a mismatched crankset sporting a, what today would be classed as a sub-compact chainrings, some paint chips here and there, but generally in nice condition. The seller apparently bought it from the original owner, who had it from new since 1970s.
Is it real PH or not? I can't tell as no serial number found, but for the price I paid I will not be that upset if not, it rides nicely regardless.
Is it real PH or not? I can't tell as no serial number found, but for the price I paid I will not be that upset if not, it rides nicely regardless.
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