Holdsworth competition 1980s? any inf

camperjohn

hi, a couple of years ago I bought an old Holdsworth competition bike and can find no mention of the model anywhere , does anyone have any info or photo as I would like to see what it was originally like. It has the competition transfers. frame 531c , 531 forks , Chinelli Criterium handlebars ,6 speed Maillard/Alesa wheels , Saba stem , brakes/gears/chainwheel/pedals/clips /fittings are Campag Brev (which I think makes it post 1978) , cannot find a serial number on frame. Bike is rideable but the rims are v worn , was thinking of having new wheels built using the hubs- any suggestions. Don't want to spend a fortune as it is really too big for me and after being hit head on at 70mph by a hit and run driver I am not sure about my future fitness. It would be nice to keep it in character- needs a lot of touch up paint!! Any suggestions/info much appreciated.

Matthewfalle

pictures please!

#paintathousandwords

camperjohn

sorry- not very computer savvy- how do I get photos on here?

veronese68

Holdsworth were a bike shop in Putney. Had there own brand, a friend of mine had a couple. Always associate them with Campag. They were often orange with a blue/green band, although that was sometimes reversed.
The shop shut a few years ago, but they stopped selling their own brand some time ago I think.
The brand was relaunched a few years back, didn’t do particularly well and Planet X have now bought it and market the bikes.
Must confess I have a soft spot for them as they were fairly local to me.

Matthewfalle

mf has a soft spot for the PX/Holdsworth bright orange job as its cool and lairy and will piss off clubbies

#orangeisthenewblack

harry-s

I share that soft spot.
I bought my first racing bike from there, about 1979 I think. I remember being measured up in the shop, and then waiting a couple of weeks before I could pick it up. IIRC the frame was a similar spec to what the OP describes, but in a white/pearl colour. Sadly no pix.

Matthewfalle

One of these

https://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/CBHOLSPSH ... -road-bike

#nifty

camperjohn

Hi, the frame has a Walton cycles as the supplier but their transfer is in much better condition than the others so possible it could have been resold later, also has a gold "designed & handbuilt by Holdsworth" transfer above the bottom bracket. I have scoured the internet but cannot see any photos of the original and the only Competition model I can find is the retro version. The frame is a dark blue almost purple metallic colour. The top tube has the cable holders brazed (I assume) rather than clips . I don't want to replace parts until I know which bits were original. Any help/ideas much appreciated

harry-s

Mine definitely had brazed guides for the cables. Red cables and all.
Post some pix and they might jog the memory.

philcubed

To post pics, you'll need to upload them to a photo hosting site (I use imgur) then there will be a link you can copy off the hosting site and paste into this forum.

camperjohn

hi , had a bit of luck , was watching a cycle video on YouTube and the narrator mentioned a site called "Veteran Cycle Club" , they have masses of info and online copies of Holdsworth catalogues . Found mine was produced between 82-84 , was available as a frame or complete bike with spec list. Suspect mine was bought as frame as one or two differences- now know colour is Campagnolo Blue Pearl . Will put a few photos on when I have it sussed. I suspect most of you are aware of the Veteran Cycle Club site, I ran a few old makes through the search and it is very good . I have printed spec out for mine. Well worth a look.