1964 Jensen Super Professional #64942 (’66-7 Catalogo 15 groupset)

By the mid ’60s British component makers had been swept aside by more inventive Italian and French companies. Campagnolo were at the technical forefront, the most desirable (rising star Merckx was a Campagnolo user) – and the most expensive. Brooks tried to protect their favoured position up the derrieres of the peloton with a ‘Campagnolo’ model. British frame makers still commanded the loyalty of the British club scene, still using Reynolds 531 tubing which by now was also widely used by continental makers. This bike epitomises that time.

So what is a Jensen doing on this website dedicated to the Carpenter marque? Bear with me while I explain the link……

In 1958 John Barclay, who had started racing with Frank Carpenter’s  Festival RC,  teamed up with Stan Etherden, Allin Cycles frame builder. They established Jensen Cycles which, like Carpenter’s traded until 1969/70. Joe Mummery and Dave Bonner were two stand-out Jensen riders   “John helped me in 1961, a long time ago. He gave me two Jensen bikes,  I broke comp record 25 on one.” – David Bonner comment on facebook 27/11/2018. (This was 1962, DB’s time was 54:28, riding for Old Portlians).

This Jensen Super Professional was my race bike in the late ’60s. It started as a classy but unbadged hastily purchased second hand after wrecking my Carpenter race bike in April ’68. Dave Bonner confirms that Jensen sold unbadged frames to three outlets in Bristol for them to sell under their own names, this looks likely to have been one of those (but remaining unbadged). I fitted the frame out with components salvaged from the broken Carpenter frame, hastily as I had a crit coming up at Whitchurch. As soon as finances allowed these components were replaced by Campagnolo, Cinelli and Universal components, the old ones slung into an old Carradice saddlebag and cardboard boxes.  That’s the way my Jensen stayed for the next 40 years or so of largely recreational use until I was put in touch with Terry Harradine who confirmed it was indeed a Jensen as I had been told, a ‘Super Professional’ model dated ’64. Terry put me in touch with the world of restoration, sold me some transfers and insisted I ride it in L’Eroica. Thanks Terry!

The serviceable parts rescued from that broken Carpenter were eventually dragged out of dusty saddlebags and boxes, then used in the restoration of Carpenter #4921.

Frame: 23inch frame, Reynolds 531, Nervex Professional lugs

Road Wheels: Campag Record l/f hubs, Mavic rims, 32/40.

Time Trial Wheels: Campag Record Hi-Lo rear, s/f front, Fiamme Ergal rims 28/28.

Transmission: Campag NR groupset (151 bcd), 52-44T. Campag bar-end shifters.

Campag NR pedals,

Regina block 14-26.

Saddle: Brooks Campagnolo saddle (hard as hell); Campag seat pin (special clamps for narrow saddle rails)

Steering: Cinelli stem, bars

Brakes: Universal 61 centrepulls, Campag levers

Frame restoration by Argos.

Originally used for road and circuit races, Bristol area.

Now used for most longer rides, e.g. London-Brighton, East Grinstead Triathlons, L’Eroica 2010,  sportives, Tour of Cambridge Gran Fondo 2015 & 16, Duo Normand 2-up TT 2016, occasional evening tens and hilly TTs.