1955 #4921 Clubman

Carpenter 4921 TT comp
Clubman

Interchangeability. A big feature of lightweight bikes fron the ’30s through the ’70s was that critical dimensions and thread sizes had been standardised enough (Raleigh apart) for clubmen to spend many a winter hour planning the next upgrades to their beloved steed – either because parts had worn out, because real improvements in components had arrived, or (let’s be honest) fashions had changed. It was all part of the fascination of the sport. Did all this fiddling about ever help us go any faster? Nope.

1955 Carpenter #4921. ‘Trigger’s Broom’.

A rebuild of my club bike as it evolved from ’61 to ’67. The original bike was purchased new in April ’61, fixed wheel but 120mm rear dropouts and two brakes with a view to the future. I used it for a typical mix of schoolboy activities including travel to school, CTC Sunday runs, hostel touring e.g. Dorset-Norfolk-South Coast, schoolboy circuit races (still using fixed, Dunlop Sprite tyres fitted to Weinmann HP rims on BH Solite hubs).

Then in 1964, soon after joining Wessex RC,  the bike was fitted with 5-speed gears (Simplex Prestige plastic ones – surprisingly reliable and durable) and I started time-trialling. Sprint wheels arrived after a ’65 summer job,

By 1966 I was living in Bristol and joined Bristol RC. The bike was used for road and circuit races, I upgraded to a Williams AB77 cotterless double chainset. Then the frame was wrecked under a bus. Oooops. Components (even wheels) were salvaged and mounted on a hastily acquired Jensen frame 64-942, then as they were steadily replaced I chucked anything still serviceable into an old Carradice saddlebag until this ’55 Carpenter frame was bought 2011, and hey presto all was back in order again.

So you see, switching and upgrading components was very much part of the fun.

Lively handling. Now used for short time trials and, with different gearing, for club runs, sportives and longer events..

My original bike: (Blue- still on the bike)

Frame 23″, Reynolds 531

Components:

  • BH Solite hubs (fixed/free rear), Weinmann HP rims 32/40, Dunlop Sprite tyres,
  • Williams steel cranks with TA chainwheel 50T, Lyotard ‘rat-trap’ pedals
  • fixed wheel, Regina 3/32″ chain,
  • Brooks B17N saddle with Reynolds post
  • GB Spearpoint stem and Maes bars, TDC headset
  • GB Coureur side-pull brakes (front & rear) with GB Superhood levers
  • White Bluemels mudguards, Chossy saddlebag.

1964-5 upgrades for TT’s, then crits etc.

  • Campag Record L/F rear hub, Mavic rim 40 spokes.
  • Campag Record L/F front hub, Mavic rim 32 spokes. (stolen in ’68, replaced with s/f)
  • Simplex Prestige  rear mech, Campag bar-end control. 5-speed Cyclo block 14-19T
  • Lyotard MB platform pedals.

1966 upgrades for road races.

  • Williams AB77 cotterless cranks on splined TDC b/b. Dodgy as a Gnutti!
  • Campag Gran Sport front changer and bar-end lever.
  • Brooks Professional saddle (I envied my club mates saddles and upgraded)
  • GB 66 centre-pull brake callipers.

2011 rebuild

Frame: 4921 24inch C-T seat tube, Reynolds 531.  (Restoration: Argos)

Components: TT setup (Club ‘tens’, Tour of Cambridge TT).

  • Campag Record s/f front hub, Campag Hi-Lo rear hub, Fiamme Ergal rims, 28/28 (’80s)   
  • TA single ring, 50T (actually, replaced as worn). Cycle block 14-19T
  • Campag GS rear mech, down tube lever
  • Barelli Supreme pedals (’70s), GB Professional s/s clips.
  • Steering: GB Maes bars, GB spearpoint stem.
  • Brakes: GB 66 centre-pull brakes, Superhood levers.
  • Saddle: Brooks Professional.

Long distance/hilly set-up:( L’Eroica 200k 2011 & 2013, Ride 100 2015) :

  • Wide ratio block 14-28.
  • TA double ring, 46-36T or 48-38T
  • Campag GS front mech, down tube lever

Frame restoration: Argos, Bristol.