obrentharris 

Perhaps the assembled Holdsworth cognoscenti can help me with this Primo Di Luso stem and Primo Extra handlebars that I recently acquired.

The small amount of information I could find on these suggested that they were made by Holdsworth. This doesn't surprise me since there has been a strong "Italianate" stream in the river of British cycle design.

Does anyone have confirmation of the Holdsworth origin, and knowledge of when these were produced? Were they made for use on specific Holdsworth models, or perhaps for general sale?










They are quite handsome to my eye.

Thanks!
Brent

Aardwolf

Not conclusive but:

"For auction is a steel Il Primo Di Lusso stem made by GB for Holdsworth but worn on many English bikes."

https://www.worthpoint.com/worthoped...orth-138123681

marius.suiram 

72 Mistral. For sale on the sales forum

sced

Your cup.....er....shed / basement /garage / attic etc. must runneth over

dwscrimshaw@bti

Up at the local, New, track our club was asked for some riders to do a photo shoot to promote winter cycling. I took my 1980 Holdsworth Pro SL (Retro) and was the only one kitted up in winter gear so got some good shots. The night was 'COLD' last Thursday in Nov. the others were freezing! I also finished my mileage target for this year there too, 10K miles. It was good fun following the video car and there was a drone following us overhead. https://colchestersportspark.co.uk/c...rtive#section3

mattface 

I got this 1983 Holdsworth Professional frame from my Dad. He got it in the early 90s and painted it red over the original Pearl. I'm currently debating how to build it up. I think I'd like to try a fast/light 650b conversion. I'm hoping I can clear at least a 40 in the rear. I'll probably build it up first to see how things work before I decide about paint, but I do have replica decals and I'm debating whether to touch up the red or change the color. I don't much care for the original pearl either so I'm leaning towards Holdsworth racing orange.

mattface 

I just measured the distance between the chainstays at 320mm from the axle, and I think it's clear this frame is not a good candidate for 650b conversion. It's only ~40mm, so I guess no good for anything wider than 650bx32 I was hoping for closer to 42. I guess I'll build it up as a vintage racer, then compare it to my Razesa and decide which one to keep.

Oldpeddaller

I spent most of 1971 to 1973 with that map of Sicily in front of me! I loved those handlebars, slightly deeper than most in those days, with the hoods of my Mafac Racer centre pull levers curving comfortably upwards in front. I remember buying them from my local 'lightweight' shop, T E Weaver of Maidstone - whose main supplier was Holdsworthy. I'd be surprised if they came from any other source.

Bonusik100

Hi, we have Holdsworth at home for ages, it is probably 1982. Where can I sell it? I tried Ebay but not sold. I only opened account so i can not attach photos unfortunately.

Aardwolf

Hiya,
It would help if you said where you are (approx): try (top right - avatar) My PROFILE > Location
You can add some pictures under (top left, below "Bike Forums") Gallery > My Pictures > Create Album

cb400bill

Pic Assist - https://www.bikeforums.net/g/picture/24079200#

Aardwolf

That looks like a 1982 Holdsworth Avanti with some parts changed.
The Avanti was the only one in "red pearl" and 1982 is the only year it was 531 tubing.

Holdsworth history: https://www.nkilgariff.com/Models.htm
1982 Catalogue: https://www.nkilgariff.com/HoldsCats.../Holds82_4.jpg

Here's my one https://www.bikeforums.net/22232237-post399.html
Paid £160 on Ebay in August 2021 in London UK, it had been in a shed for 20 years so looked fairly bad.

mattface 

My Dad's old Holdsworth professional build is coming together. I've come around to building it more or less period correct with higher-end parts. Totally correct would be pearl white paint, and early 80s vintage Super Record group, but I'm not a fan of the original white and can't afford the correct groupset. So I think it will get a combination of High-end Campy, Dura Ace, and Superbe parts depending upon what I can scrounge. I really like teh Ritchey WCS crank even though it's not period correct, it's nice looking, light, and I think the compact crank will pair well with a 9 or 10-speed cassette. Since shifting is friction it doesn't matter that much which cassette I use.

Here's a spreadsheet I'm using to track costs. I'm trying to keep it reasonable. I'm planning to keep it, and probably sell the Razesa, but if it turns out I still like the Razesa better when this one is done, I don't want to be deeper into this project than I can recoup in a sale. So I'm going to do the rough build, and get it on the road before I do the paint. Once I've decided for sure that I'm keeping it, I might be up for spending "more than the bike is worth" to make it how I want it, in which case I might spend more on paint and components than currently budgeted.

romperrr 

Your dad's professional is coming along nicely! Good idea building it up on the cheaper side to determine if you'll keep it or not.

mattface 

It's roughly assembled into an almost rideable bike. I just need one brake lever clamp, cable housing, and dry roads. I think the chainline might need a little adjustment, and the dropouts need cold-setting to 130. Parts on it are pretty darned good. Might like a 3ttt stem to match Superleggero bars. Ultimately I'm thinking I'd like to get a Suntour Superbe Pro RD, and I'd probably use the Cyclone FD off my Razesa with that. It's 19 pounds as it stands.

Stevensb 

Getting ready for spring. New Herse 32 mm tires measure only 28mm wide on the Open Pro rims. Better than the 23s that were on it before.

Cheers.

Brad

Holdsworth Special by bj.stevens, on Flickr

cyclic_eric

Nice Ritchey crankset! I wish I could find one in such great shape. That 50/34 is one of the best ways to ride C&V bikes up steep hills.

mattface 

I put Compass 28s on my Open Pro wheelset on the Professional and got 27mm at 80 psi. It looks like I might be able to get 32s in if the actual measurement is significantly less than 32, but I think this frame was not designed to go above 28mm tire widths.

mattface 

Yeah, I found this one in a bike Coop crankset box while looking for a 110bcd triple. I didn't have any immediate need for this crankset, but I couldn't pass it up, because I figured I'd eventually find the bike it goes on. My Razesa is 52/42 and a 12-25 9 speed cassette, and it's actually not been a problem for Vermont roads which do tend to be hilly, but I see no downside to 50/34, and only upside. If I really need a higher gear I could put an 11-24 on there, and still have close ratios.

Of course, it hasn't got anything LIKE the gear range of my RB-T, but I seldom used the little ring on the RB-T on paved roads, and that was when the middle ring was a 40, and this is why I have more than one bike.

cheffyjay

Finally assembled this project. Holdsworth Equipe that seems to be made of all DB Reynolds 531 (?) Switched to all Simplex shifting, Mafac Racers, and Stronglight cranks, Maillard Helicomatic, Reynold chain, and a Brooks B5N on a Simplex post.

Aardwolf

I've just put Vittoria Rubino Pro 28mm tubulars / Mavic Monthlery Route rims on my Holdsworth Avanti.
I was concerned about the clearance but the Rubinos are measuring 28mm at 75psi and I've still got about 4mm gap at the forks.

I've also got Panaracer Pasela ProTite 28mm clinchers on Mavic MA2s but those are only 26.1mm at 82 psi.

Im fairly sure 32mm would just hit the forks.

Pcampeau

My 1980 Holdsworth Special purchased for $100.00 on May 14th 2022, refurbished and officially back on the road yesterday June 29th.

Glowing in the sunshine on my first shakedown ride.



Loaded lightly for a day long adventure.

uprightbent

That's a super nice build. I'm doing one similar right now, wondering if those Paselas are 32's and or 27". Looks like the clearance in the rear is tighter, would love to see how they sit in the chainstays. My chainstay width is barely 30mm at the front so I'm sliding the wheel back pretty far in the dropouts. I'm guessing it's worth the comfort from the extra air volume vs. 28's.

Pcampeau

Thanks for noticing the build, the bike has quickly become a favorite. The wheels pictured are what came with the bike and are Phil hubs laced to 27” clinchers with 1 1/4” tires. You got me curious about 700c though, so I took the rear wheel off of my Paramount and tried fitting it on the Holdsworth. This is what the clearances look like 700c x 32mm tires.


looks like there’s a bit of room to go a little wider or use 32mm and fenders.

alexihnen 

Here’s my first English bike.