Holdsworth Criterium

[biggs682]

Just rescued this what I am led to believe could be a Holdsworth Criterium but something is not adding up .

What does the cc crowd think .

Never seen a date code on a Holdsworth bottom bracket shell .
Rear stay to seat cluster not what I would expect.
Benotto pantograph on fork crown .

Can't ask the owner as he sadly passed away about 6 months ago.

 

[Paulus]

Just going on the colour, the front fork is possibly a replacement, and there is a lack of decals which might mean it could be anything.
Other than that it is a good looking bike.

 

[biggs682]

Just going on the colour, the front fork is possibly a replacement, and there is a lack of decals which might mean it could be anything.
Other than that it is a good looking bike.

Forks are Benotto pantographed on the crown so presumably replacements but not checked for any markings IE number stamping .

 

[cisamcgu]

God, I so wanted one of those when I was about 14

 

[biggs682]

Been looking at the bottom bracket stamping what I first read as 10-87 looks more like LB-01

Holdsworth sticker type head badge and Criterium sticker front end of top tube non drive side

 

[Illaveago]

Flying Scot used to stamp their frame numbers there. Late 70's at the earliest by the type of spear point lugs and bottle mounts I would say. Strange bridge between the chain stays.

 

[Illaveago]

Strange way to finish the top of the rear stays. Looks like the designer knocked off early that day!

 

[Illaveago]

What does the head tube lugs look like ?

 

[Once a Wheeler]

I have seen and ridden a number of Holdsworths but I do not think this is one of them. The seat cluster is unlike any Holdsworth I know of, as is the chain-stay bridge. The front pump fixing is also unusual but could be a later addition. The under-bracket and under-stay cable runs are unusual but could also be individually specified on a custom frame. Overall, looks like a good classic frame with plenty of life left in it so, no matter what its origin, maintain and enjoy. A positive bike in any collection.

 

[Illaveago]

The LB-01 sounds like the first or prototype model.

 

[Illaveago]

Are those numbers raised or stamped? They look raised from here !

 

[biggs682]

Are those numbers raised or stamped? They look raised from here !

Numbers are raised

Short type lugs

I have seen and ridden a number of Holdsworths but I do not think this is one of them. The seat cluster is unlike any Holdsworth I know of, as is the chain-stay bridge. The front pump fixing is also unusual but could be a later addition. The under-bracket and under-stay cable runs are unusual but could also be individually specified on a custom frame. Overall, looks like a good classic frame with plenty of life left in it so, no matter what its origin, maintain and enjoy. A positive bike in any collection.

Totally agree, I think and only think forks are not original to frame IE colour , pantographed and also front and rear hubs and rims are different and the old boy who's bike it was was a stickler for details.

Takes a 27.2 post and bottom bracket shell is English

Strange way to finish the top of the rear stays. Looks like the designer knocked off early that day!

They look more like a 50's style bike imho .

Have actually managed to get the seat post out and lifted up to max insertion markings and had a gentle ride around the block rides nice considering shame about the 7 speed corncob.

 

[Illaveago]

Numbers are raised

Short type lugs

View attachment 739814

View attachment 739815



Totally agree, I think and only think forks are not original to frame IE colour , pantographed and also front and rear hubs and rims are different and the old boy who's bike it was was a stickler for details.

Takes a 27.2 post and bottom bracket shell is English



They look more like a 50's style bike imho .

Have actually managed to get the seat post out and lifted up to max insertion markings and had a gentle ride around the block rides nice considering shame about the 7 speed corncob.

The raised numbers are strange! Not easy like stamping! A low number so not a Taiwanese frame badged up.

 

[biggs682]

The raised numbers are strange! Not easy like stamping! A low number so not a Taiwanese frame badged up.

I am thinking the numbers will be a maker's model and type ref , because otherwise you would have to do a different casting for each bottom bracket shell

 

[midlife]

It's not any Holdsworth that I recognise. Interestingly, Holdsworth were one of the early adopters of under bb cable routing for run of the mill bikes.