S. Roland - Jones Cycles of Acton

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  • I recently bought a nice old steel road racing bike on ebay that has S.Roland - Jones transfers and brass head tube badge fitted.

    The transfers show an address of 329 Horn Lane, Acton W.3 and the frame fitted with a grease nipple on the BB and Nervex lugs looks like it dates from the 1950's or early 60's. A number of cycle shops in the London area had their frames built elsewhere - Wally Green of Hendon was a prolific builder of frames for such shops who then badged them as their own. This is one name I've never heard of however and none of my older clubmates in the Middlesex RC has any knowledge of the shop either. It is still there, now used by a builder's merchants, located near Acton Main Line station. I'm now renovating the bike and would be interested to know if anyone has any memories of the shop and bikes sold there. I've tried uploading a picture...
    With thanks
    Shaun


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    • Various and RS.ROLAND JONES BIKE 024.JPG
  • I can't help, but would be interested to see photos of the rest of the bike.

    Might also help more knowledgeable folk, if it is rebadged.

    Have you tried Retrobike?

  • My 80+ year old neighbour was born'n'raised in Acton. I'll ask him if he has any memories.

  • Thanks for that.
    Here's another picture showing the complete bike - apart from the badge work there's little to distinguish the frame from any others of its time. I posted a thread on the Retro Bike site at the beginning of the month but nothing so far so any help gratefully acknowledged.

    Cheers
    Shaun


    1 Attachment

    • Various and RS.ROLAND JONES BIKE 025.JPG
  • Roland Jones shop was in a parade of shops in Horn Lane. I lived nearby and Roland was a go to spot for us young teenagers to go and Roland was always welcoming to talk ‘bikes’ with him and his older teenage staff. I bought my Dawes from him but marvelled at the expensive Claud Butler bikes he sold. I recall him talking about building his own named bikes with the latest tubing (Reynolds 531 I think I remember) and the ‘new’ Campagnolo derailer gears instead of the Sturmey Archer hub gears. Fond memories of a very nice guy and happy times in his shop with its busy back workspace.

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S. Roland - Jones Cycles of Acton

Posted by Avatar for Shaun_U @Shaun_U

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