Holdsworth 1955 Catalog — The Choice of Champions: the Cyclone, Hurricane, Italia, Monsoon, Typhoon, Whirlwind and Zephyr

— Page 1 (front cover) —
THE
CHOICE OF
CHAMPIONS

[On a printed slip pasted across the cover:]
We regret that, owing to increases in the
cost of several items not under our control, we
are reluctantly compelled to raise the prices of
Complete Cycles by 5%.
The prices of Frames only are not affected.

Holdsworth
Cycles
1955

[The front cover of Holdsworth Cycles 1955, with three ornate cut-out frame lugs drawn in a pool of light under the heading “THE CHOICE OF CHAMPIONS.” A printed slip in red, announcing a five percent rise in the prices of complete cycles, is pasted across the top of the drawing and covers part of one lug.]

— Page 2 —
ROAD

RIDERS competing at all distances know that it is essential to
have a comfortable as well as a fast position.
The design of this model is subject to specification but we find
that for the average rider a 22″ to 23″ frame with angles of 73° head
and 71° seat tube, combined with a 22½” top tube gives the most
comfortable position. For the taller rider
the 24″ frame has a 23″ top tube whilst
the man who requires a “short-reach”
model is usually best suited by a 21¼”
top tube and angles of 72° head and 73°
seat tubes.
A suitable specification for a complete
cycle is:
Williams C34, Dunlop H.P.s, B.W.9 and
10 hubs, two “G.B.” brakes, “Allez”
pedals, Maes bends, Brooks B17, Bluemel
guards and pump.
Finished in any colour flam, lustre or
enamel; lined or lugs picked out; split
band to seat tube.

THE CYCLONE
Frame Set (“Nervex” Professional Lugs) …. £14 7 6
CAMPAGNOLO self-centreing Fork Ends …. 10s. extra
Complete cycle as above specification, including Tax £31 10 5

[Holdsworth’s Cyclone road model, introduced by a drawing of a road rider cornering at speed past a man with a notebook and a running spectator, with a drawing of the head tube, lugs and fork crown in a checkered frame. Below are its frame set and complete cycle prices.]

— Page 3 —
LADIES

“THE LADIES” is the toast of any club.
Having discarded Victorian ideas they have rapidly taken their
true place in club life—racing, helping, touring. But, to efficiently
undertake these activities, they must be properly equipped. Gone
is the day of the Club-girl’s Open-frame “Sports” model. The
modern club girl requires a diamond frame with similar equipment
to that of the “Boys”.
But such a frame must be specially designed for a club girl.
A shorter top tube is usually indicated, which with angles of 72° head
and 73° seat tubes will give light but comfortable steering.
Ladies who are obliged to undertake a part of their riding in a
skirt will find that a lateral model retains much of the rigidity of a
diamond pattern with a sporting appearance.
You can have your frame finished in brilliant flam, gleaming
lustre or pastel shade enamel. Either the frame or the lugs lined
and a contrasting split band on the seat tube.

THE LADIES CYCLONE
Frame Set (Diamond pattern as Gents) £14 7 6
Frame Set (Open twin lateral pattern)
for skirt £14 12 6

[Holdsworth’s Ladies Cyclone frame sets, introduced by a drawing signed “BOB WEBSTER” of a man with a mug at an inn table greeting a smiling woman cyclist in a striped jersey. Below are the text on club girls’ frames and the prices of the diamond and open twin lateral patterns.]

— Page 4 —
This model meets the demand for a genuine Hand-built Cycle
at a figure which the youngest cyclist can afford—even married men
can manage a new bicycle at this price ! Value here is unsurpassed.
These machines are made in the same workshop which has con-
sistently turned out cycles for a succession of famous riders.

THE HURRICANE
Built throughout with Reynolds “531” butted or A. & P. Kromo tubing.
Frame sizes: 22 in., 23 in., or 24 in. 73° head and 71° seat tubes. Fancy cut-out
lugs on the brazed models. Oval-to-round fork blades. Dunlop 27 in. steel high
pressure rims and open-sided tyres. British Hub Company or Bayliss-Wiley
Hubs. 15/17 double butted spokes. Two “G.B.” alloy brakes. Williams C34
detachable chainwheel set, chrome rat-trap pedals. Maes alloy bars in popular
steel or alloy stem. Celluloid guards. Popular Brooks B15 “Flyer” or narrow
saddle with chamfered flaps. 18 in. (the Continental size) pump.
Finish. Flamboyant on Lustre in bright red, brilliant blue, magenta, bronze or
purple. Bands in contrasting colours on seat tube.
You can take your choice from ten different models. With
Single Speed; with Simplex or Huret Tour-de-France Four or Five
Speed, or the latter with the addition of a Campagnolo Front Changer
giving Eight or Ten Speeds. All these types can be ordered with
either welded or brazed frames.

Prices for Complete Cycles, including Tax:—
Single speed and fixed cog—
Welded model …. £22 10 0 | Brazed model …. £23 9 0
Four-speed with Simplex or Huret Tour-de-France Gear—
Welded model …. £24 16 0 | Brazed model …. £25 14 10
Five-Speed with Simplex or Huret Tour-de-France Gear—
Welded model …. £25 2 0 | Brazed model …. £26 0 10
Eight-speed with Campagnolo Front Changer, Simplex or Huret Tour-de-France
Gear and Double Chain Wheel—
Welded model …. £27 8 0 | Brazed model …. £28 7 0
Ten-speed with Campagnolo Front Changer, Simplex or Huret Tour-de-France
Gear and Double Chain Wheel—
Welded model …. £27 14 0 | Brazed model …. £28 13 0

[A photograph of Holdsworth’s Hurricane, a lightweight with drop handlebars and mudguards, above its specification and the prices of its single speed, four, five, eight and 10 speed versions in welded or brazed frames. A later handwritten name and address in blue ink at the top left reads “R.V. Woodward 7. Corporation Rd Hartlepool”, the initials uncertain.]

— Page 5 —
“SALUTA” the Italian cry of Victory
YOU can similarily greet your friends if you are riding a
HOLDSWORTH “ITALIA” machine with equipment used by such
Continental “aces” as Coppi, Magni, Koblet, Kubler, Bobet, Van
Est and others.
The FRAME is welded in a British Workshop from British dimensioned
materials, so that, in the event of a “stack-up” you can quickly get
replacements.
Complete Cycle with Sprints & Tubulars £35 18 4

EXTRA FINISHES TO STANDARD
(Purchase Tax, which is payable where the extras apply to a complete
cycle, is shown in brackets).
s. d. | s. d.
“MIRROR” Flamboyant on polished base …. 21 0 | (4 0)
Diamond panel to seat tube …. 7 6 | (1 4)
do. in place of ordinary band …. 3 3 | (0 7)
Tricolour diamond to seat tube …. 16 6 | (3 0)
do. in place of ordinary band …. 12 3 | (2 1)
Tricolour two inch bands to seat tube …. 7 6 | (1 4)
do. in place of ordinary band …. 3 3 | (0 7)
Six inch split band to seat tube …. 7 6 | (1 4)
do. in place of ordinary band …. 3 3 | (0 7)
Lining all lugs in contrast …. 11 6 | (2 0)
To all models except “Whirlwind”
Enamelled head tube in contrast …. 7 6 | (1 4)
Flamboyant head tube in contrast …. 9 6 | (1 7)

[Middle page.]
CAMPAGNOLO!
BULLA!
LEONE!!
REGINA!
FIAMME!!

Frame sizes are 22″, 23″ and 24″, Angles 72° parallel, long back and
low bracket, brazed-on double lever boss and gear and brake stops.
The EQUIPMENT includes Genuine CAMPAGNOLO GRAN
SPORT front and rear gears, which with REGINA “5” block gives
10 speeds. D’ALLESANDRO NEW black-tread “BALILLA”
Tubulars on FIAMME Alloy Road Rims, built on to “LEONE”
QUICK-RELEASE HUBS with Alloy shells. Two “BULLA”
Alloy Racing Brakes with “Honking” rubbers and a French
“IDEALE” Saddle with curved cantle and perforated flaps.

THE ITALIA

“MIRROR” FLAMBOYANT on polished base. We can now include
this outstanding gleaming finish for the following extra on any model.
FRAME only …. 21s. 0d. | Complete Cycle …. 25s. 0d.

CHROME PLATING
HOLDSWORTH’S reliable “MIRROR” finish:
Front fork crown …. 6 8 | (1 2)
Front and rear ends, approximately six inches 1 1 4 | (3 11)
Front and rear drop-out plate only …. 14 0 | (2 6)
Front fork all over …. 15 0 | (2 9)
Head lugs …. 17 6 | (3 2)
Seat OR bottom bracket lug …. 13 0 | (2 4)

[Right-hand page.]
D’ALESSANDRO!!
Saluta!
Italia!

The FINISH is Flamboyant on Silver Lustre in Bright Red,
Brilliant Blue, Magenta, Bronze or Purple. Most attractive “Cam-
pagnolo” transfer on seat tube with World’s Championship colours,
Headplate and complete set of transfers.
HOLDSWORTH’S Unique connections on the Continent enable
him to offer this outstanding machine at these remarkable prices,
which include any Tax payable.
Or with Dunlop “H.P” Rims & Tyres £33 12 0

FRAME SETS quoted in this list, include the best Continental or British Head
and Bracket fittings (5/32 [?] in. diameter bearings top and bottom) all as available.
Alloy seat pillar and adjustable lamp bracket.
Usual brazed on fittings as applicable to the model.
TUBING.
ALL HOLDSWORTH’S frames are built from BEST BRITISH TUBING—Reynold’s
“531”, the High Carbon Steel or “KROMO” Accles and Pollock’s Chrome
Molybdenum. These produce light, responsive, but sturdy frames and should
not be confused with the much inferior tubing used in so many of the imported
Continental frames.
PRICES.
In a fluctuating world we must reserve the right to make adjustments of prices where
necessary.
We regret that owing to the price at which “ITALIA” and “HURRICANE” models
are offered, we are unable to depart from above specifications, but, so there may be
no undue delay in the despatch of your order, we reserve the right, should any fitment
not then be available, to substitute one of similar value.

[Holdsworth’s Italia, a welded road racing cycle with Campagnolo Gran Sport gears and Italian equipment, introduced across the three pages of the opening by a drawing of racing cyclists cheered by a crowd shouting the names of its parts. Below are its prices, the extra finishes and chrome plating price lists and notes on frame sets, tubing and prices. The drawing carries a small shield monogram that appears to read “BW”.]

— Page 6 —
IN LINE

“IN LINE”—or out on your own—but any way up at the front.
This model will keep you right up with any breakaways.
Specially designed for Massed Start with
low bracket and long back, giving stability,
the popular “box” frame—72° parallel—
makes this machine nippy, manœuvreable
and safe in the tightest bunch.
Genuine Agrati ends, with hanger, and
brazed fittings which include all types of
gear and brake stops. No pump pegs or
lamp bracket are fitted; conforming to the
latest practice.
Finished to your choice in flam, lustre
or enamel. Imperial frame linings or lugs
picked out.

THE MONSOON
Frame Set (Alatet Head–set) …. £12 12 0
CAMPAGNOLO self-centreing fork-ends …. 10s. extra
Complete Cycle with “Hurricane” specification, including Tax—
Four-Speed …. £30 10 10 | Eight-Speed …. £33 2 11
Five-Speed …. £30 16 10 | Ten-Speed …. £33 8 11

[Holdsworth’s Monsoon massed start model, introduced by a drawing of a numbered road racer taking a feed bag from a man at the roadside with two riders ahead, and a drawing of the head tube, lugs and fork crown in a checkered frame. Below are its frame set and complete cycle prices.]

— Page 7 —
CLUB

Here is a product of HOLDSWORTH’S Workshops which is
within the reach of the man who, whilst appreciating a fine job,
must watch his expenditure.
Made from Reynolds or Kromo tubing, brazed into Continental
fancy cut lugs, with oval to round fork blades, 2⅜” rake, angles 73°
head, 71° seat, and Continental type head-fittings.
Equipment includes such world famous items as Brook’s B.17
Saddle, Williams C34 Chain set, 27″ x 1¼” Dunlop high pressure
rims built on to British Hub Co’s Hubs, or Baylis-Wiley 9/10
Hubs. Dunlop skin-sided speedy H.P. Tyres and Tubes. Perry
chain and HOLDSWORTH’S famous
“Allez” quill pattern alloy pedals. Two
British “G.B.” alloy brakes. Maes or South
of France Bends in popular steel or
alloy stem. Guards and pump. Brazed-on
stops, boss for gear, lamp bracket and
pump pegs.
Finish in any colour, flam, lustre or enamel to choice;
hand-lined head lugs, top eyes and crown. Headplate
and complete set of transfers.

THE TYPHOON
Frame Set …. £11 11 0
Complete cycle to this fine specification, including Tax £27 2 4
Or with Simplex or Huret Tour de France or Benelux
Gear …. £29 16 6

[Holdsworth’s Typhoon club model, introduced by a drawing of a club run of men and women cyclists on the road, and a drawing of the head tube, lugs and fork crown in a checkered frame. Below are its specification and its frame set and complete cycle prices.]

— Page 8 —
THE BEST

EVERYONE likes to see eyebrows raised and comments passed
when they park their machine and such tributes to craftsmanship
are certain to be forthcoming for your “Whirlwind”.
Built by men who take a pride in their
work and who excel themselves when its a
“regardless of cost” job. Lugs are hand-
picked and finished with tender care into
the intricate design shown here.
With the addition of first class Con-
tinental “Stronglight” fittings and genuine
Agrati ends, the frame has a perfection
unsurpassed in the trade.
In the finish, here again, no expense is
spared. Chrome crown and drop outs, first
class flam, lustre or enamel with contrasting
band, either split or full six inch, or diamond
on seat tube. Lug cut-outs are accentuated
with hand linings. Frame lining and con-
trasting colour head if desired.

THE WHIRLWIND
Frame Set …. £17 17 0

[Holdsworth’s Whirlwind frame set, introduced by a drawing signed “BOB. W” of three men admiring a lightweight bicycle propped against a wall, and a drawing of its ornate lugs and fork crown in a checkered frame. Below are the text on its lugs, fittings and finish and the frame set price.]

— Page 9 —
TRACK
PATH
&
ROAD.

THE MAN who likes to mix his “25’s” with grass work and a
dabble on the hard track will find this design an answer to his
problems.
Three bikes combined in one!
The 73° parallel angles combined with
round fork blades and exceptionally strong
back, incorporating the W.F.H. heavy plate
path ends and wrap-over seat stays, will
meet all the stresses found when “mixing
it”. Bare guard clearance is provided,
and crown drilled for brake.
This frame design with its specially cast
crown and long two-inch path ends sacri-
fices nothing of its appearance to sturdiness.
Purely Path Frames, similar to those
ridden by many of our leading amateurs
and on which they have gained many suc-
cesses at Home and Abroad, can be
supplied to specification.

THE ZEPHYR
Frame Set (Feather-weight Bottom Bracket assembly) …. £14 14 0
Complete cycle to specification as “Cyclone”, in-
cluding Tax …. £31 18 0

[Holdsworth’s Zephyr frame for track, path and road, introduced by a drawing of a track rider on a grass track with a marquee and flags behind, and a drawing of the head tube, lugs and fork crown in a checkered frame. Below are its frame set and complete cycle prices.]

— Page 10 —
MORE AND MORE riders are
taking to three wheels and
HOLDSWORTH’S TRICYCLE
CONVERSION SET enables any
cyclist to taste the joys of
tricycling without being put to
the expense of ordering a Tricycle.
Sets are in use all over the King-
dom and they have secured many
National Records.
In addition, we have supplied
several to those who are disabled
or suffering from the effects of
infantile paralysis, enabling them
once more to participate in the
joys of the open road.

TRICYCLE CONVERSION SET
Details as follows—
Direct drive by shaft mounted on annular bearings to near-side wheel—very
rigid and responsive—offside wheel runs free. Overall width from cone to
cone 28 in., will go through most doors and conforms to modern tricycle
design.
Bracket—Height reduced by 1 in.
Hanger for derailleur gear brazed on 3/6 extra.
Finished in gold lustre. (Other colours 7/6 extra).

Fitted to any machine in a very few
minutes as follows: loosen clamp-
ing bolt to release offside wheel
complete with stub axle. Pass
through rear triangle of frame;
replace off-side wheel. Tighten
clamping bolt. Adjust ⅜ in. bolts
to rear ends of frame, passing
them through packing pieces pro-
vided. Adjust telescopic seat
stays to frame height. Fix to seat
bolts and ALL IS READY !

Price …. £13 2 6
with Endrick Rims and
Sprite Tyres.

H.P.’s and alloy rims can be supplied as available.
Regulations now require a free-wheel tricycle to be fitted with two brakes. We
can fit Hub Brakes to Conversion Sets at an extra cost of £5 5s. 0d.
TRICYCLE FRAMES with similar design back axle and drive …. £24 10 0
Finished to your choice in flam, lustre or enamel.

[Holdsworth’s Tricycle Conversion Set, in two photographs of a bicycle converted to a tricycle, the second with a rod and small parts laid out on the ground. The text gives its details, fitting instructions and price, the hub brake option and the price of tricycle frames.]