Al Carter forgotten bike brand from Townsend

[Alembicbassman]

Just picked up an Al Carter Team Memphis for a couple of quid as it was being thrown out.

Townsend bikes premium brand that never sold well due to the association with cheaper bikes from the parent brand.

Deore DX / Deore / Deore XT mix

Going to give it a full strip down and rebuild over the next few weeks.

 

[Vantage]

I'd forgotten about them!
I'd lusted after an Al Carter in my mum's Kay's/Freeman's catalogue but never got it.

 

[Drago]

A while back I got my thighs spanked by the admin for having the word "Glock" in my avatar, so I'm surprised you get away with a pic of revolver.

Townsend did indeed do a few more upmarket models. The problem was for the same money or less you could get something equally good elsewhere without the stigma of having something associated with the cycling equivalent of "Polski Fiat" branding.

 

[Alembicbassman]

After stripping the bike there's some fun sizes - quill stem insert is 25.2mm (usually 22.2mm) and seatpost is 29.4mm with 31.8mm seat tube, usually steel frames from this era are 28.6mm seat tube diameter with a 25.4mm-27.2mm seatpost. Frame is Tange Cr-Mo MTB. Shifters are Deore XT ST M092. Chainset is Deore, derailleurs and hubs are DX. Rims are Araya CV7 Bottom bracket has the adapter cup on the drive side.:/ The Colt has been my avatar for years - time for a change anyway.

 

[Alembicbassman]

Shimano BB CS20 - Fully serviceable !