Proper Holdsworth Bikes are back! And I'm in love ....

[SteCenturion]

So do I!!

Ha, Ha MDB, you funny bugger.

 

[Mad Doug Biker]

Ha, Ha MDB, you funny bugger.

..... Fancy meeting up some time??

 

[Fab Foodie]

I have an old Thorn Audax built with lugged 531c by Lee Cooper (so I'm told). It's wonderfully comfortable on a long ride, and just seems to eat up the miles. On the other hand, I was descending Waddington Fell recently, in excess of 50mph, and it was absolutely terrifying - I could actually feel the rear triangle flexing in the crosswind! It's a complete contrast with my modern Wilier CF bike, which felt absolutely planted on the Alpine descents I rode last summer, and the frame is about half the weight.

What I'd like to try is a modern steelie in a high-spec tubeset, and see how that compares to my old Thorn and the Wilier. Maybe the best of both worlds?

That's what I'm hoping the 853 Rourke will be.
The old Holds is by far the nicer and more fun bike to ride than my Alu TCR, but the Giant is a lot more stable at speed and much more secure downhill. The best of both would be ace!

 

[vernon]

but will these match the real feel of a good old retro 531 ??

I doubt that folk would be able to detect the difference unless tutored and even then.......

 

[biggs682]

Some additional information on Retrobike about the brand http://www.retrobike.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=12&t=298415&start=10#p2236245.

The brand was sold to Planet X by Tandem last year including all of Tandem's remaining stock (I assume the so called Planet-X imitations mentioned above).

The new frames have been produced by Planet-X and probably made in the Asia as the country of manufacture is not heavily promoted..

that is how i read it as well

 

[vernon]

That's what I'm hoping the 853 Rourke will be.
The old Holds is by far the nicer and more fun bike to ride than my Alu TCR, but the Giant is a lot more stable at speed and much more secure downhill. The best of both would be ace!

My 853 Woodrup is rock steady down hill with or without panniers.

 

[derrick]

I like this one.

 

[Fab Foodie]

I like this one.

Gives me a hard-on ....

 

[Mad Doug Biker]

Gives me a hard-on ....

I don't care if it has a nice bottom bracket, that is still VERY wrong!

 

[derrick]

Gives me a hard-on ....

I would not go that far, it's not like it's a Cervelo.

 

[Flying_Monkey]

that is how i read it as well

However, the 'in-progress' pictures on the website show two gentlemen who certainly don't look Asian - more Italian, I would say. But of course, this could be all just an advertising mock-up...

 

[biggs682]

However, the 'in-progress' pictures on the website show two gentlemen who certainly don't look Asian - more Italian, I would say. But of course, this could be all just an advertising mock-up...

lets hope they are all hand made in Britain and the brand flourishes

 

[Fab Foodie]

lets hope they are all hand made in Britain and the brand flourishes

Me too.
But if they're made elsewhere and the craft and finish are good, then good luck to them! I'd imagine UK costs would be far too high.
Still nicer than any plastic bike anyday ....

 

[Hover Fly]

However, the 'in-progress' pictures on the website show two gentlemen who certainly don't look Asian - more Italian, I would say. But of course, this could be all just an advertising mock-up...

The new bikes are being developed by Lorenzo Altissimo, a 30-year bike industry veteran ...

The torch in use is an Italian model (was "Walkover"now "Kemper") so made in Italy would be a safe bet, but the prototypes could be made in Italy and full production moved elsewhere.

 

[vernon]

An Italian frame - a perfect match for the Italian owned Brooks saddle.