Dawes Catalog of about 1982, US Edition — Welcome to the World of Dawes: the Atlantis and Echelon Racing and the Super Galaxy, Galaxy and Lady Galaxy Touring Bicycles

Dawes’s racing and touring catalog for the US market, imported by M.Y. Sports Inc. of Hamden, Connecticut: twelve scans of whole and part pages. It prints no date.

— Page 1 (front cover) —
WELCOME
TO THE
WORLD
OF
DAWES

[The front cover: “Welcome to the World of Dawes” in a silver laurel wreath over a silver oval nameplate, beside a photograph of a rider in a black sleeveless top bent over the drop handlebars of a bicycle. The rider is photographed head on in front of a concrete stand under a roof, the stem, brake levers and taped bars in the foreground; the photograph runs to all four edges of the image.]

— Page 2 —
DAWES CYCLES
Craftsman built for unmatched quality

Dawes have been renowned for high quality, craftsman-built cycles since 1926. Today these traditions are as strong as ever and are evident in every stage of the manufacturing process. Built with care and pride, every Dawes cycle displays the same highly skilled workmanship and fine quality materials that have made Dawes a byword for all that’s best in cycles.

Building the Frame
Each frame is constructed from high grade, lightweight carbon steel tubing, carefully selected for each model to give optimum performance. Extra light Reynolds 531 tubing is used for the top models.

Lugged Frames
The tubes are first fully mitred at both ends to precise specifications, then the ends are hand polished for good brazing adhesion. Each frame is hand built on a precision table. It is drilled and pegged into place, then each joint is brazed by hand in a set sequence which cancels stress.
On each frame two hot setting and cold setting operations are carried out to ensure perfect alignment. All fittings are attached by ‘Bronze Welding’ which provides strong, ductile joints at low temperature, enabling the tubing to retain its tensile strength.

Welded Frames
Every tube is individually mitred, then the frames are assembled and welded by hand in precision jigs to eliminate distortion. ‘Phosphor Bronze’ low temperature welding ensures that no undue strain is set up through expansion and contraction during the heating of the frame. Maximum strength is retained in the lightweight tubing and a smooth finish is obtained.
Every frame and fork is then fully inspected and checked for perfect alignment, track and wheel centre. All inspection is individually carried out by expert craftsmen, before frames are passed for painting.

Painting the Frame
Every frame undergoes eight separate processes before it emerges from the paint shop beautifully decorated and in its final glowing colours. It is first shotblasted or chemically cleaned (1) for a high quality surface finish, then any excess metal is removed from around the joints, (2) allowing the fine lug work to be delicately finished and polished. Frames and forks are rustproofed to ensure complete rust inhibition, even if the paint becomes scratched or chipped in use, (3). The system also prevents rust from spreading beneath the surface.

Next a primer undercoat (4) is electrostatically applied to ensure the long lasting effect of the colour treatment, after which the frame has its first stoving treatment. After stoving every primer coated frame is inspected and then hand sprayed with its silver or coloured base coat (5). It is stoved again, then the top coat is applied in one of the deep and lustrous colours (6) for which Dawes cycles are noted.
A clear lacquer varnish (7) seals the colour for maximum durability and richness, and the frame is stoved for the last time. Then hand applied decoration (8) transforms the frame into a branded, christened and finished product. Finally a skilled artist picks out the lugs, crown and bracket features in gold, brown or black with a fine brush, and lines a decorative pattern on the scalloped top of the seat stay on some of the sports models.
Callouts: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

Building the Wheels
Dawes wheels are hand built by skilled lacers and truers. The spokes are woven together for maximum strength in a complex and difficult process which is almost unique to Dawes. Once built, each wheel is individually balanced — another skilled process as it can take even an expert up to 20 minutes to balance a racing wheel to his satisfaction.

Assembly
Every Dawes cycle is built by one man at his workbench. There is no assembly line of bored unskilled workers, each adding a small part to the finished product. Instead, the assembly of each machine relies on the fitting skill of one responsible craftsman and the company’s experience in selecting quality components to match and balance against each other, achieving the perfect combination for each model in the range.

Safety
Dawes cycles have been submitted to full controlled independent laboratory tests and have satisfied the strictest safety standards in the world, including the American C.P.S.C. Bicycle Safety Regulations. Constant development is always in progress to ensure that they remain at the forefront in every way.

How to choose the right size of cycle
Suggested Frame sizes | Leg measurement (crotch to ground)
21″ | 30″—34″
22½” | 31.5″—35.5″
23½” | 33″—37″
25¼” | 35″ and up
Seat Lug
Frame size
Bottom Bracket Axle

[The Dawes Cycles introduction, “Craftsman built for unmatched quality”, with photographs of workers truing a wheel, working with a torch, assembling a blue Mirage bicycle and lining a frame, and a drawing of eight numbered finish layers. A box at the lower right gives the frame size chart with a drawing of a frame; the bicycle being assembled shows MIRAGE on its top tube and DAWES on its down tube, and a horizontal fold crosses the middle of the sheet.]

— Page 3 —
Racing

The thrill of owning a racing bike — the exhilaration of a fast responsive ride — the lively handling — the agility through corners — the firm characteristics of the close clearance frame — the pride of owning a Dawes hand built precision machine — using traditional methods by craftsmen in Birmingham, England.

Racing Features
Close geometry. Top performance on a Dawes racing bike is achieved by the selection of a close clearance frameset and a short wheelbase which together provides a firmer more exciting ride and more effective transmission of power.
12 speed close ratio gears allow a high level of power to be maintained ensuring the maintenance of even tempo against high winds or difficult terrain.
Lightweight components — Every effort is put into reducing the total weight of a Dawes machine. Unnecessary components are omitted and the lightest alloy components — such as chainsets, small flange alloy hubs, handlebars and brakes are fitted. And of course all of our racing cycles use the extra light Reynolds 531 Double Butted tubing.
High pressure ultra-light narrow section rims and wired on Michelin Elan tyres are fitted — high performance is ensured with low rolling resistance, and with 700C wheels you can change to tubulars with ease if preferred.
Para rubber brake hoods serve as a comfortable yet powerful gripping point when riding on the top. Adhesive cloth handlebar tape absorbs perspiration and gives a strong grip when the going gets tough.

[The opening of the racing section: the script heading “Racing” in a blue panel and a light blue box of racing features, over a photograph of the front wheel and fork of a bicycle on a wooden track. The image is cut from a larger page, with the blue page border at the top and left and the right edge cutting through the wheel and the partial large lettering of a trackside board.]

— Page 4 —
ATLANTIS The racing thoroughbred
Designed and built for top performance. Fast, responsive, lively —
the handbuilt precision racing machine. Reynolds 531 Double
Butted tubing throughout, close clearance 73° parallel handbuilt
frame. Short wheelbase, components 100% lightweight alloy. Be
someone special and buy a racing cycle with a beautifully designed
handpainted frame. Double Blue — the sea and the sky — Atlantis.
TOTAL WEIGHT 22 lbs.

[The Dawes Atlantis racing bicycle in blue, photographed inside a circular frame, with its description. The frame shows “ATLANTIS” on the top tube, “DAWES” on the down and seat tubes and a Reynolds 531 decal and a Union flag on the seat tube; a horizontal and a vertical crease cross the page, and a light blue panel is cut off at the lower right corner.]

— Page 5 —
ECHELON For training or racing
Hand built for training or racing. This performance
machine will appeal to both competitive cyclists and
keen leisure riders alike. It is an exhilarating thoroughbred
with lively and responsive handling. Reynolds 531 Double
Butted main tubes, 73° close clearance racing frames, ultra light
alloy narrow section rims.
TOTAL WEIGHT 23 lbs.

[The Dawes Echelon racing bicycle in white, photographed against a blue background, with its description. The frame shows “ECHELON” on the top tube, “DAWES” on the down and seat tubes and a small black and gold tubing decal on the seat tube; a horizontal crease runs through the last line of text.]

— Page 6 —
RACING SPECIFICATION
MODEL NAME | ATLANTIS | ECHELON
Frame Sizes | 21″, 22½”, 23½”, 25¼” | 21″, 22½”, 23½”, 25¼”
Frame Material | 531 Double Butted throughout | 531 Double Butted main tubes
Frame Angles | 73° parallel | 73° parallel
Fork Blades | 531 Double Butted, 35mm offset, forged ends | 35mm offset, forged ends
Color | Sunburst double blue | White Frost
Weight (Approx) | 22lbs. | 23lbs.

Handlebars | Maes, racing shape blue cloth tape | Maes, racing shape, black cloth tape
Brakes | Weinmann 605 sidepull, racing quick release stirrups, para hoods | Weinmann 500 sidepull, racing quick release levers, para hoods
Crankset | SR 42/52T forged, detachable rings | SR 40/52T forged, detachable rings
Freewheel | 13/15/17/19/21/24 Gold finish | 14/16/18/20/22/24
Derailleur Rear | Suntour VX Racing | Suntour VX Racing
Derailleur Front | Compe V | Compe V

Control Levers | Power, Ratchet mechanism | DLW light alloy
Hubs | Small flange, quick release | Small flange, quick release
Wheels | 700C × 1¼” alloy narrow section rims, chromed spokes | 700C × 1¼” alloy narrow section rims, chromed spokes
Tires | Michelin Elan | Michelin Elan
Saddle | Condor leather, Micro adjustable seat pillar, Allen key seat bolt | Racing with covered top
Fenders | None, frame geometry clearance for Esge | None, frame geometry clearance for Esge
Pedals | Deluxe Quill alloy with toeclips and straps | Quill alloy with toeclips and straps
Special Features | Gold finish chain and block |

[A rider in a black sleeveless jersey on a white racing bicycle on a board velodrome, photographed, beside the “RACING SPECIFICATION” table for the Dawes Atlantis and Echelon. The table gives frame sizes, tubing, angles, colors, weights and the components of each model.]

— Page 7 —
Touring

TOURING
Touring — Designed to cater for both long distance riding and normal town use, Dawes Touring bikes combine specialist touring components with some of the lightweight features of a racing bike. Dawes traditional attention to detail ensures maximum comfort and dependability with superior handling. A good example of this attention is the use of Randonneur Handlebars on all of the touring bikes. These specially designed touring bars provide a higher more comfortable riding position than the normal racing bars and give added safety in town use. Also gear ratios have been carefully calculated to give sensible flexibility across a wide range of weight loads and varying terrain. For over 50 years Dawes craftsmen have been designing and building touring cycles to give pleasure to serious cyclists across the widely varying road conditions of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales.

N.B. For organised touring contact the League of American Wheelman, P.O. Box 988, Baltimore, Maryland 21203.

[A man and a woman photographed in front of a stone church tower, with the green Touring heading and the introduction to the Dawes touring bicycles. At the lower right the scan shows the top of a white-rimmed roundel with a dark interior.]

— Page 8 —
SUPER GALAXY
The ultimate touring machine
The Super Galaxy is designed specifically for high speed long distance touring, giving the serious rider the utmost in riding comfort, combined with the superior handling characteristics found in a top quality bicycle. It is recommended by the British Cyclists Touring Club as one of the best specification factory-built bicycles, ideally suited to almost all riders requirements. Craftsman built 72° parallel angled frame. Reynolds 531 Double Butted main tubing. The chainset is a T.A. triple from France, the saddle real leather from Brooks of England, both components are those specified by real enthusiasts for many years. If you tour on a Super Galaxy you can be sure you are touring on the best equipped machine available today.

[The Dawes Super Galaxy touring bicycle with a dark frame, photographed in a green roundel with front and rear carriers, mudguards, a triple chainset and a leather saddle, with its description. The frame carries Super Galaxy and Dawes transfers. Outside the white rim the scan holds parts of the surrounding page: a knitted sweater at the upper left, part of a bicycle wheel on rough ground at the lower left and ocher fields at the right.]

— Page 9 —
GALAXY The Classic Tourer
The choice of thousands of experienced tourists, the merits of this cycle have been proved over millions of miles. Reynolds 531 Double Butted main tubes. Alloy cotterless chainwheel set, wide ratio gears for effortless touring. Foam padded saddle, toe clips and straps, quick release alloy wheels and of course the entire design is co-ordinated to ensure maximum comfort over extended distances.

[The Dawes Galaxy touring bicycle with a gold frame, photographed on a tan ground with drop handlebars, a double chainset and toe clips, with its description. The frame carries Galaxy and Dawes transfers. At the lower left corner the scan holds a white curve and a dark field from an adjoining panel.]

— Page 10 —
LADY GALAXY
Now the Lady has a truly well designed touring cycle to suit her needs. The unique frame has the lightness and stiffness for long distance touring, yet it is easy to mount. It has all the lightweight components and proven design characteristics of the Gentleman’s Galaxy and yet the Lady’s needs have really been considered — lower gearing (36/48T crankset), short reach stem and a comfortable anatomically designed saddle.

[The Dawes Lady Galaxy touring bicycle with a ladies’ frame in gold, photographed on a brown ground, with its description. It is shown with drop handlebars, fenders, toe clips and two white reflectors; GALAXY and DAWES transfers mark the frame and the saddle reads ITALIA. A green disk with a white rim is cut off at the left edge.]

— Page 11 —
TOURING SPECIFICATION
MODEL NAME | SUPER GALAXY | GALAXY | LADY GALAXY
Frame Sizes | 21″, 22½”, 23½”, 25¼” | 21″, 22½”, 23½”, 25¼” | 19½”, 21″
Frame Material | 531 Double Butted main tubes | 531 Double Butted main tubes | 531 main tubes
Frame Angles | 72° parallel | 72° parallel | 72° head/74° seat
Fork Blades | Chromed 50mm offset, precision forged ends | Chromed 50mm offset, precision forged ends | Chromed 50mm offset, precision forged ends
Color | Black | Gold Mink | Gold Mink
Weight (Approx) | 29lbs. | 29lbs. | 29lbs.
Handlebars | Randonneur, touring shape, black cloth tape | Randonneur, touring shape, brown cloth tape | Randonneur, touring shape, brown cloth tape
Brakes | Weinmann alloy centrepull, quick release levers | Weinmann alloy centrepull, quick release levers | Weinmann alloy centrepull, quick release levers
Crankset | TA 36/48/52T Cyclotourist forged, detachable rings | SR 40/52T forged, detachable rings | SR 36/48T forged, detachable rings

Freewheel | 14/17/21/26/32 | 14/17/20/24/28 | 14/17/20/24/28
Derailleur Rear | Suntour Cyclone GT Touring | Suntour VXT Touring | Suntour VXT Touring
Derailleur Front | Cyclone | Compe V | Compe V
Control Levers | Power, Ratchet mechanism | DLW light alloy | DLW light alloy
Hubs | Large flange, quick release | Large flange, quick release | Large flange, quick release
Wheels | 27″ × 1¼” alloy high pressure rims | 27″ × 1¼” alloy high pressure rims | 27″ × 1¼” alloy high pressure rims
Tires | Michelin Speed, touring tread | Michelin Speed, touring tread | Michelin Speed, touring tread
Saddle | Brooks B17 leather, Micro adustable seat pillar, Allen key seat bolt | Dawes touring padded, with bag loops | Ladies Anatomical with bag loops
Fenders | Full Esge Chromoplastic with mudflap | None, Clearance for Esge Chromoplastic | None, clearance for Esge Chromoplastic
Pedals | Deluxe Quill alloy with toeclips and straps | Quill alloy with toeclips and straps | Quill alloy with toeclips and straps
Special Features | Integral pannier carriers both front and rear | Eyes for fitting carriers and fenders both front and rear | Eyes for fitting carriers and fenders both front and rear

[The touring specification table for the Dawes Super Galaxy, Galaxy and Lady Galaxy, printed in black on a yellow panel with a green heading. It lists frame sizes, tubing, angles, color, weight and components for each model.]

— Page 12 (back cover) —
WELCOME TO THE WORLD OF DAWES

Dawes Cycles
M.Y. Sports Inc.,
850 Sherman Avenue,
Hamden, CT 06514
Telephone (203) 281-5000
Telex No: 966484

Dawes Cycles Limited reserve the right to adjust prices, change colour and amend specifications and substitute fitments without giving prior notice. Before purchase, please check with your dealer in case a change in specification has been made.

Dawes Cycles guarantee its products against any defect in workmanship or materials, provided the product has not been damaged by accident, abuse, alteration or misuse. In offering this guarantee, Dawes in no way seeks to diminish or restrict the statutory rights of a purchaser of any of its products.

Sold and serviced by:

In a world of mass production there’s something rather special about a Dawes

[The back cover of the Dawes catalog: the silver laurel badge lettered WELCOME TO THE WORLD OF DAWES, the address of the US importer M.Y. Sports Inc., the terms of sale and guarantee and an empty dealer box. The page is printed on a pale blue ground with the slogan in blue across the foot; the “Sold and serviced by:” box is blank.]