Holdsworth 1949 Catalog — Cycles and Frames, Season 1949: the La Quelda, Cyclone and Cyclone-de-Luxe Frames, the La Quelda Special Club and Flyer

W. F. Holdsworth’s eight-page leaflet for the 1949 season. The host’s file adds five enlarged views of its photographs, left out here; the white patches on the frames in the page photographs are in the host’s scans.

— Page 1 (front cover) —
W. F. HOLDSWORTH’S
CYCLES
AND
FRAMES
AN ILLUSTRATED AND DESCRIPTIVE
LEAFLET OF THESE FAMOUS MACHINES
SEASON
1949

To be the owner of a “Holdsworth” hall marks you as a discriminat-
ing cyclist. I regret that owing to present conditions I can only
supply a proportion of the prospective riders of “Holdsworths.”

“The House of HOLDSWORTH”
121, LENNARD ROAD, BECKENHAM, KENT

Saleshops and Showrooms :
132, Lower Richmond Road,
PUTNEY, LONDON, S.W.15.
69, HIGHBURY PARK,
HIGHBURY, LONDON, N.W.9
Agents throughout the British Isles.

[The front cover of W. F. Holdsworth’s leaflet of cycles and frames, with a photograph of a lightweight bicycle with dropped handlebars and a rear gear between the title and the address of “The House of HOLDSWORTH”. “W. F. HOLDSWORTH’S”, “The House of HOLDSWORTH” with the Beckenham address and “1949” in a boxed panel at the top right are printed in green, the rest in black.]

— Page 2 —
“LA QUELDA,”—The Super Frame
For the Connoisseur—For YOU.

Welded Frames are fast regaining their popularity and without
question the finest of them all is the “La Quelda”—the thorough-
bred.
“W. F. Holdsworth’s” have specialised in building welded frames
for 12 years and the benefit of that experience goes into every
“La Quelda.” When buying your new frame just compare the
workmanship, the fittings and the finish with any other. All doubts
in your mind will vanish—unquestionably “La Quelda” is the
answer to your problem.

SPECIFICATION
Materials and dimensions are fully detailed on the opposite page.
The frame is carefully handbuilt by craftsmen using the best method
known—low temperature bronze welding.
The result is a frame which is beautifully balanced and streamlined,
and on which the weight is kept to a minimum. As regards strength
it is equally as strong as a brazed lug frame—what more can be
said? In the event of an accident, the weld will not give way—like a
lugged frame, it is always the tube that goes first.

CASH PRICE £12-10-0

With “Allez” Chainset £14-17-6

Also available as a Track Frame, Angles and dimensions as
“CYCLONE” Track Frame £13-0-0

2

[A photograph of the “La Quelda” welded frame with its fork, chainset and seat pillar, above its description and cash price. A patch inside the main triangle is whiter than the paper: a digital cleanup of this scan, since the close-up of the same photograph on the next image does not show it.]

— Page 3 —
SPECIFICATION of Materials and Fittings for “LA QUELDA”
and “CYCLONE” Frames.

MAIN TRIANGLE
Reynolds double-butted “531” steel alloy tubing
to top tube, down tube and head tube. Single
butted “531” to seat tube. Tube ends machine
mitred for perfect fit.

SEAT STAYS
½” dia. fine taper “531” tubing with curved
mudguard bridge. “Holdsworth’s” own long
solid spearpoint top eyes machined and lightened,
and securely brazed high up the seat cluster.

CHAINSTAYS
⅞” dia. tapered round-oval-round in “531”
tubing, giving strength and adequate tyre
clearance. Rear drop-outs are Stallard standard
F.D.O. or Osgear pattern or Chater Lea.

FRONT FORKS
Heavily butted “531” steering column and
“531” taper gauge oval fork blades with 2⅝” [?]
Continental rake tapering to fine dia. at ends.
“Holdsworth’s” own special genuine 2-plate
oval crown machined from highest quality mild
steel. Stallard solid drop-out fork ends.

ATTACHMENTS
Brazed on lamp-bracket boss on right fork blade;
cable stops under top tube allowing rear brake
cable to run bared; and pump pegs for 15″ pump
on down tube (18″ if ordered). Continental type
guard eyes incorporated in front and rear drop-
outs, tapped to take mudguard securing bolts, or
English pattern guard eyes brazed on fork blades
and seat stays. (Any brazed on attachment may
be omitted if desired.)

SIZES
Usual sizes are 22″ and 23″. (20″, 21″ and 24″ to
order.) Head Angle 73° and seat tube angle 71°.
Top Tube approx. 22¾”. Wheelbase 41¼”. Length
of chainstays (i.e., drive) 17½”. Bracket height
10½” with 26″ wheels. Frame is built to give
bare mudguard clearance when 27″ wheels are
used and full clearance with 26″ wheels.

FITTINGS
The best quality on the market, including “Lytaloy”
Continental type head fittings with serrated washer
and locking nut for fine adjustment and 5/32″ dia.
bearings top and bottom. Bracket fittings are
genuine Bayliss-Wiley or Brampton plated. Also
fitted are an alloy seat pillar with “Allez”
polished seat pillar clamp; Reynolds, Constrictor
or Chater Lea adjustable lamp bracket.

FINISH
Superb finishes in almost any colour glass-hard
enamel, or lustres in gold, copper, bronze, silver,
mauve, maroon and light or dark green, blue or
grey. Continental double lining and contrasting
coloured band around seat tube. Spearpoints on
top eyes lined in contrast. Complete set of transfers
including Olympic 5-colour chevrons on seat tube.

3

[The specification of materials and fittings for the “La Quelda” and “Cyclone” frames, set as a column of green headings beside black text: main triangle, seat stays, chainstays, front forks, attachments, sizes, fittings and finish.]

— Page 4 —
THE “CYCLONE” FRAME”
(Road or Track Model)
Craftsman built and brazed using best British Lugs, cut in “Holds-
worth’s” own style or Continental lugs all carefully filed and
lightened.

ROAD SPECI-
FICATION
As on previous page.

TRACK SPECI-
FICATION
As on previous page but with no brazed on
attachments and with the following alterations:

REAR DROP-OUTS
“Holdsworth’s” own pattern hand made from
5/32″ thick plate so that they cannot distort under the
heaviest wear. Streamlined in shape they give a
full 2″ of adjustment.

FRONT FORKS
Heavily butted “531” steering column and
“531” taper gauge ⅞” dia. round fork blades
with 1¼” offset. Rake either gradual or semi-
Continental. Genuine two plate round crown
machined from highest quality mild steel. Stallard
or Chater-Lea solid drop-out fork ends.

SIZES
Usual sizes are 22″ and 23″. (20″, 21″ and 24″ to
order.) Head and seat tubes are 73° parallel.
Top Tube approx. 23″. Wheelbase 40¼”. Drive
17″. Bracket height 11¼” with 27″ wheels. Frame
is built to give bare clearance with large section
27″ tubulars.

CASH PRICE £13-10-0

With “Allez” Chainset, £15-17-6

4

[A photograph of the “Cyclone” frame with its fork and a chainset with a single chainring, above its road and track specifications and cash price. A patch inside the main triangle is whiter than the paper: a digital cleanup of this scan, since the close-up of the same photograph on the next image does not show it.]

— Page 5 —
The “CYCLONE – DE – LUXE” FRAME
(Road or Track Model)
The apex of the frame builders’ art—it will be your pride and joy.
The outstanding feature of the “Cyclone-de-luxe” is the lugwork.
Highest quality British lugs are used with extra long and extra
fancy spearpoint cut-out which is completely exclusive to
“Holdsworth’s.” The crown is “Holdsworth’s” genuine two plate
oval with a finely cut diamond pattern on the top plate.
The finish, too, is really top-class. In addition to that specified on
page 3, the “Cyclone-de-luxe” has a chrome plated crown, head
tube in same colour as seat tube band and all lugs are picked out
in contrast in order to emphasize their fine workmanship.

The detail on
the right shows
to perfection
the head of the
“Cyclone-de-
luxe,” in-
cluding the lug
cut-out with its
contrasting
lining and the
chrome plated
“diamond”
top crown.

“CYCLONE-
DE-LUXE”
ROAD FRAME
(Specification
as on page 3)
or
“CYCLONE-
DE-LUXE”
TRACK FRAME
(Specification
as on pages 3
and 4.)
£15-15-0
With “Allez”
Chainset
£18-2-6

5

[A photograph of the “Cyclone-de-luxe” frame with its fork and chainset, “HOLDSWORTH” on its down tube, and below it a close-up photograph of the head tube, its lined spearpoint lugs and the fork crown. A patch inside the main triangle is whiter than the paper: a digital cleanup of this scan, since the close-up of the same photograph on the next image does not show it.]

— Page 6 —
“LA QUELDA” SPECIAL CLUB

FRAME
Exactly as “La Quelda” frame specification, and
fitted with chrome plated Williams C.34 chainwheel
set, 3-arm fitting.

WHEELS
26″×1¼” chrome plated Endrick rims built on
Holdsworth’s own “Allez” double sided alloy
hubs, with best quality spokes. Wheels fitted with
Dunlop “Sprite” tyres and tubes. Two fixed
cogs and locking rings, and wing-nuts.

CHAIN
Perry roller, ½”×⅛”.

PEDALS
Phillips “Apollo” double sided racing pedals,
chrome.

GUARDS
Bluemels alloy “Airweight” or “Continental,”
or “Lytaloy.”

BRAKE
Front hiduminium G.B. with hooded lever, and
silver or coloured cable.

SADDLE
Mansfield leather 38.N. racing saddle.

BARS
Reynolds R.R.56 hiduminium bars, Pelissier, 15/16″
dia. Fitted with Shockstops No. 53 sleeves in
colour.

STEM
G.B. hiduminium stem with either 1¾” or 2¾”
extension, expander fitting.

PUMP
Bluemels “Airmaster” in alloy, or “Brittanialloy.”

CASH PRICE (including £5-5-10 P. Tax) £27-0-0

“CYCLONE” Special Club (including £5-10-8 P. Tax) £28-4-10
(As “La Quelda” Club but with “Cyclone” Frame.)
“CYCLONE-DE-LUXE” Special Club …. £31-0-8
(including £6-1-6 P. Tax)
(As “La Quelda” Club, but with “Cyclone-de-Luxe” Frame.)

6

[A photograph of the “La Quelda” Special Club, a fixed-wheel bicycle with mudguards, dropped handlebars and “HOLDSWORTH” on its down tube, above its specification and prices including Purchase Tax. A patch inside the main triangle is whiter than the paper: a digital cleanup of this scan, since the close-up of the same photograph on the next image does not show it.]

— Page 7 —
“LA QUELDA” FLYER

FRAME Exactly as “La Quelda” frame specification. Crown
heavily chrome plated in addition. “Allez” super alloy chain-
wheel set, 6½” cranks, 46T, 47T or 48T, 3-arm fixing.

WHEELS Chrome plated Dunlop High Pressure rims built on
Holdsworth’s own “Allez” alloy hubs, double-sided for gear
with D/B spokes. Dunlop skin-sided H.P. tyres and tubes. G.B.
alloy lever-type wing nuts. One fixed cog and lock ring fitted.

CHAIN Reynolds best—the “Elite,” ½”×⅛” roller.

PEDALS Holdsworth’s well-known “Allez” in alloy, quill pattern.
Solid die-cast frame: steel spindle: 5/32″ dia. balls throughout.

GUARDS Bluemels alloy ‘Airweight’ or ‘Continental’ or ‘Lyataloy.’

BRAKES Pair of genuine Italian “Bulla” brakes or G.B. alloy.
Cables in colour to suit the frame and neatly held together with a
“le Dido” twin cable clamp.

SADDLE Brooks B.17.N, Champion. The finest saddle made.

BARS Reynolds R.R.56 hiduminium bars, 15/16″ dia., Pelissier pat-
tern, fitted with Shockstops No. 53 sleeves in colour.

STEM Holdsworth’s special hand-made steel stem, expander
pattern. Long spearpoint cut-out, and finished in all chrome or in
heavy chrome plate with bright red enamel between lugs.

PUMP Bluemels “Airmaster” or “Tour-de-France” (18″ to
order). “Brittanialloy” 15″ polished alloy (18″ to order).

CASH PRICE (including £6-12-3 P. Tax) £33-15-8

“CYCLONE” FLYER (including £6-17-1 P. Tax) £35-0-6
(As “La Quelda” Flyer, but with “Cyclone” Frame.)
“CYCLONE-DE-LUXE” FLYER (including £7-7-11 P. Tax) £37-16-4
(As “La Quelda” Flyer, but with “Cyclone-de-Luxe” Frame.)

7

[A photograph of the “La Quelda” Flyer, a bicycle with mudguards, dropped handlebars, brake cables and “HOLDSWORTH” on its down tube, above its specification and prices including Purchase Tax. A patch inside the main triangle is whiter than the paper: a digital cleanup of this scan, since the close-up of the same photograph on the next image does not show it.]

— Page 8 —
Extras which may be Specified
(Purchase Tax, which is payable where the extras apply to a complete
cycle, is shown in brackets.)

| £ | s. | d. | s. | d.
Brazing on set of gear control cable stops and/or guides to down tube, bottom bracket and chain stay. (Including control lever boss or cut down control lever clip, if supplied) …. | | 2 | 6 | ( | 7)
As above. Also making and brazing on special Osgear lugs under bottom bracket for tension arm, and brazing eye to chain-stay for striking fork …. | | 10 | 0 | (2 | 5)
Chater Lea chrome plated bottom bracket interiors [?]. (Available on “La Quelda” models only) …. | | 10 | 0 | (2 | 5)
“Ruby Red,” “Helyett Green” or “Brilliant Blue” flamboyants. (All on silver lustre base) …. | | 10 | 0 | (2 | 5)
Checkered band on seat tube, any two enamels. (In place of ordinary one colour band) …. | | 5 | 0 | (1 | 2)
Full Continental style panelling throughout. From …. | 1 | 0 | 0 | (4 | 10)
Enamelling all head, in contrasting colour, including approx. 2″ of top and down tubes, finishing in spearpoints. (“La Quelda” frames only) …. | | 10 | 0 | (2 | 5)
Enamelling head tubes only in contrasting colour. (“Cyclone” frames only) …. | | 7 | 6 | (1 | 10)
Lining edges of all lugs in contrasting colour. (“Cyclone” frames only) …. | | 12 | 6 | (3 | 0)

Chrome [?] Plating:—
Front fork crown. (Where not standard) …. | | 6 | 3 | (1 | 6)
Front fork ends …. | | 6 | 3 | (1 | 6)
Rear seat and chainstay ends …. | | 12 | 6 | (3 | 0)
Rear seat and chainstays, up as far as bridges | 1 | 5 | 0 | (6 | 0)
All head. (On “La Quelda” frames head is steel welded to take chrome) …. | 1 | 7 | 6 | (6 | 8)
Frame and forks all over. Instead of finish as specified. “La Quelda” …. | 4 | 15 | 0 | (23 | 0)
ditto. “Cyclone” …. | 4 | 5 | 0 | (20 | 6)
ditto. “Cyclone-de-Luxe” …. | 3 | 15 | 0 | (18 | 2)

8

[A price list of extras that may be specified on Holdsworth frames, brazed-on fittings, enamel and lining work and chrome plating, with prices in pounds, shillings and pence in green and the Purchase Tax in brackets in black.]