Holdsworth 1981 Catalog — Holdsworthy Fine Bicycles: the Elan, Mistral, Mystique, Special and the Professional Racing Range

Holdsworthy’s catalog of Holdsworth bicycles. It prints no date of issue; it describes the first racing cycle in Reynolds 531 “Speed-stream” tubing, built for “the demands of competition in 1981”.

— Page 1 (front cover) —
HOLDSWORTHY
Fine Bicycles

[Front cover: a close photograph of a stack of bare frames in blue, orange, yellow and silver, with Holdsworth, Claud Butler and Professional transfers, under the Holdsworthy name and its cyclist logo. Two “Set the pace Holdsworthy” labels and a paper tag hang on frames in the photograph; the black heading band and the photograph show creases and fine white wear lines.]

— Page 2 —
The latest addition to the Holdsworth stable and already a winner with cyclists who demand a thoroughbred lightweight cycle good enough to race on – but without breaking the bank. Based on an entirely new frame built with Reynolds 531 butted main tubes and forks with close clearances, 73° angles and 40″ wheel base, and with features found on very expensive models, such as under-bracket gear cables. Campagnolo gears, Regina “gold” freewheel and chain and an S.R. alloy cotterless 40/50 chainset for an unbeatable 12 speed transmission. Light alloy components include Weinmann sidepull brakes, handlebar stem, micro adjusting seat pin, bottle cage and quick release hubs. Complete with either narrow section high pressure tyres, or with sprint rims and Wolber tubular tyres on the “S” model. Sizes 21″, 22″, 23″, 24″, 25″. Finished in Ice Blue Metallic. Frameset, with head set and seat pin, also available in the same sizes and colour.

ELAN

[Holdsworth’s Elan, a light blue lightweight with dropped bars, sidepull brakes and a bottle cage, photographed in a studio under its description. The frame carries Holdsworth transfers; the word “very” is set in italics in the print.]

— Page 3 —
A classic model for the tourist. Craftsman built frame in Reynolds 531 butted tubing throughout with Prugnat lugs, Campagnolo forged dropouts, 72° angles & 41″ wheelbase. Specification includes: S.R. alloy cotterless chainset, Campagnolo “Rally” 10 speed gears, Brooks B17 leather saddle, Weinmann centre-pull brakes, Worthy “Green Label” high pressure tyres and rear carrier. Complete with alloy pump, toe clips and ESGE “chromo-plastic” full mudguards. Frameset with headset and alloy micro adjusting seat pin available separately. Sizes, 19½”, 21½” 22½”, 23½”, 24½”, 25½”. In a range of popular finishes or to your own choice to order.

MISTRAL

[Holdsworth’s Mistral, a green touring bicycle with a rear carrier, full mudguards, a frame pump and a leather saddle, photographed in a studio under its description. The frame carries a HOLDSWORTH down tube transfer.]

— Page 4 —
MYSTIQUE

Distinctive black enamel sets off the quality alloy components on this budget priced model. The frame has 73° angles and Reynolds fork blades for a responsive “ride” and brazed-on features include fork lamp bracket boss, top tube cable guides and gear cable stops. Available with 5 or 10 speeds. Specification includes Huret gears, S.R. alloy cotterless chain set and reliable Weinmann alloy sidepull brakes with quick release levers. Trouble free riding is assured with Michelin “Speed” high pressure tyres. Complete with a padded saddle and full mudguards. In sizes 19″, 21″, 22″, 23″, 24″, 25″.

[Holdsworth’s Mystique, a black lightweight with full mudguards, dropped bars and sidepull brakes, photographed in a studio above its description. The frame carries HOLDSWORTH transfers on the seat tube and down tube and a small script transfer on the top tube.]

— Page 5 —
SPECIAL

A superbly fast, responsive model built by cyclists for cyclists. Light enough for racing, strong and stable for club riding. Frame crafted by traditional hand methods with butted Reynolds 531 tubing throughout, Campagnolo dropouts and 73° angles. Top flight components include Campagnolo “Record” 10 speed gears, pedals and hubs. Universal 77 quick release sidepull brakes. S.R. alloy cotterless chainset. Cinelli leather covered saddle. Fiamme sprint rims with Wolber “International” tubular tyres. Sizes 19½”, 21″, 22″, 23″, 24″, 25″ in a range of colours or to order. Frameset also available complete with head set and seat pin.

[Holdsworth’s Special, a red lightweight racing bicycle with tubular tires, sidepull brakes and a bottle cage, photographed in a studio above its description. The frame carries a HOLDSWORTH down tube transfer.]

— Page 6 —
PROFESSIONAL

This truly professional 12 speed is based on an upright frame in butted Reynolds 531 tubing and is suitable for all kinds of road racing. With 74° angles, 39″ wheelbase and all the brazed-on fittings you expect on such a top model. The cycle is equipped throughout with the Campagnolo ‘Record’ components group with Fiamme sprints, Wolber ‘Neo-Pro’ racing tubulars, Cinelli saddle and Regina “Oro” freewheel and chain. The frameset is available separately complete with a Campagnolo “Record” headset and seat pin. Sizes, 21″, 22″, 22½”, 23″, 23½”, 24″, 25″. Colour to choice with chrome dropouts. Track version also available to order.

“PROFESSIONAL” RACING RANGE
Is it surprising that with champion bicycle racers and the finest craftsmen on our staff, the Holdsworth “Professional” range should be the best too?

PROFESSIONAL SUPER
Based on the Professional frame but equipped with the titanium based Campagnolo Super Record components group.

PROFESSIONAL SL
Individually craftsman built to order with a host of details which make this the road bike “par excellence”. In Reynolds 531 Special lightweight tubing, special Prugnat lugs, integral Allen key seat lug, recessed brake fixing bolts, Cinelli microcast fork crown and under-bracket cable guides. Fully equipped with the Campagnolo “Super Record” components group with Regina “Oro” freewheel & chain and Clement No. 12 “Criterium” racing tubulars. Cinelli padded saddle and Benotto handlebar tape. Size and colour including chrome dropouts to your choice. Frameset with “Super Record” headset and seat pin available separately.

CLASSIC
The machine for the top time triallist and a classic in every sense of the word. Built in fast-back design in Reynolds 531 SL with a 38″ wheelbase and 75° angles, or to choice. Brazed-on fittings also to choice. Cycle equipped with Campagnolo “Super Record” group with single chain ring. Clement No. 3 silk tyres, Cinelli saddle and Regina “Oro” freewheel & chain. Size and colour to choice.

Classic frameset with Super Record headset and seat pin also available.

We will also build to special order in Reynolds 531 “Speed Stream” and 753.

[Holdsworth’s Professional, a silver racing bicycle with tubular tires and a bottle cage, photographed in a studio on a wide page beside the “Professional” Racing Range text: Professional Super, Professional SL and Classic. The frame carries HOLDSWORTH transfers on the seat tube and down tube; a blank white panel edged in black fills the top right corner.]

— Page 7 (back cover) —
What goes into a
HOLDSWORTHY
Bicycle?

Holdsworthy – a name that represents fifty years of unequalled experience in the building of the world’s finest touring and racing bicycles. Today in our modern purpose built factory we bring together under one roof the traditional highly developed engineering skills and, most of all, the sense of pride which makes a Holdsworth or Claud Butler the best for any cyclist.

The design of a Holdsworthy frame is a result of the collective knowledge of our whole staff, some of whom have over half a century’s experience in cycles and cycling, but we are always receptive to the latest developments. The very first racing cycle in the revolutionary Reynolds 531 Oval “Speed-stream” tubing was designed and built at Holdsworthy – by active racers, who know at first hand the demands of competition in 1981. You can be sure that your Holdsworthy, whether Holdsworth or Claud Butler, for racing or touring, will be an ideal marriage of old fashioned quality and new research.

No robots here – our craftsmen use the finest materials such as Reynolds tubing and Prugnat lugs to produce a Holdsworthy frame. Every tube is carefully inspected, mitred and polished before assembly and the lugs are painstakingly filed and shaped to give those classic “clean” lines. Every joint is individually low temperature brazed and checked at every stage for perfect alignment. Then they are filed and polished again before passing to our paint shop where distinctive glowing colours and transfers are applied. At least four coats of paint are hand sprayed on every frame, each coat being oven baked to produce a tough, brilliant hard wearing finish.

On cycles for racing, touring or commuting, we choose components from the world’s finest manufacturers; Campagnolo, Wolber, Super Champion, Fiamme, Regina, and match them to achieve perfect balance at every stage. The result is a machine that looks as good as it handles and, just as importantly, continues to offer high performance for many years and many thousands of miles.

Holdsworthy bicycles – Built by men for whom cycling is a way of life.

DEALER:

[“What goes into a Holdsworthy Bicycle?”, the Holdsworthy workshop story, beside three color photographs: two men building bicycles among hanging frames, a man in goggles brazing a frame and a glass fronted factory lit at dusk. The blue edged DEALER box at the bottom left is blank, with no stamp.]