This bicycle fits into the "unorthodox"
category. It was built in England with a combination of oversized and
undersized tubes and a double top tube all out of Reynolds 531. Harry
Rensch was a London builder from the late 30's through the 50's who believed
his design offered greater alignment and more rigidity than the traditional
diamond frame. The ornate filagree lugwork was done by W.B Harlow, a master
craftsman who still lives on the north coast of England and built cycles
for Condor in the 30's, Rensch in the 40's and Holdworth in the early
50's before going solo through the early 70's. It's outfitted with a Constricter
3sp derailleur system, steel fluted cottered crank and Chater Lea "Tommy
Bar" pedals. |