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• #2752
Leon Meredith
It's very noticeable that whenever you see a list of 'the greatest ever.......' (athletes, entertainers whatever) that the leading names are almost invariably recent. It seems as though whoever compiles these lists doesn't understand the word 'ever'.
So it is with Meredith, a name I've been familiar with all my cycling life. He was certainly one of the greatest personalities of the British bike scene, comparable with G.P. Mills, Frank Southall and trade figures like Claud Butler and Ron Kitchen.
Just one tiny example of his fame - Stan Butler, the 1932 olympian, father of Keith and proprietor of Allin Cycles, had the middle initial 'M'. This stood for Meredith, and it is recorded that Stan's Dad negotiated this with Stan's Mum, as it was a tribute to Leon.
The Classic Lightweight article is certainly interesting and informative, although I would like to take issue with some of the points made, but not in this post.
For me the greatest puzzle about Meredith is that he managed to escape accusations of professionalism when he was clearly de facto riding as a pro for Constrictor. -
• #2753
A.J.Hodge
That Hodge frame looks very desirable, but I won't be bidding as I have too many other projects.
By an odd co-incidence this is the second time in the past few days I've come across this name. I've just prepared a bike for a novice to try out riding a lightweight, and it is based on a Dave Moulton frame. Looking up Mr. Moulton (no relation to the small wheel school of thought) I learn that his start in frame building was with 'Pop' Hodge in Luton in 1957. The old man was eighty at that time, but I don't doubt the truth of the statement - people in the bike trade often go on to a great age.
I don't know whether my novice will get on with this bike because it's a 'racey' design with a very short wheelbase (37.5"), but I must say I was very impressed with its stability when road testing.
see post in Current Projects - chat and miscellany.
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• #2754
I also like the fact that he was a successful speed skater - https://www.britishskatinglegends.com/meredithleon.htm
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• #2755
Another interesting article on Meredith and Bastide cycles https://onlinebicyclemuseum.co.uk/1922-bastide-meredith-road-racing-model
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• #2756
saw this. Am quite tempted by it.
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• #2757
Jeff 8o, this one really does look worthwhile.
I think you will probably have to throw the wheels away. Bear in mind that the bottom bracket probably has the oversized cups and special spindle mentioned above - but with any degree of luck they'll probably be OK. Just treat it with respect and try to be sure no water gets into the bearing.
I note the forks have the 'Bastide' style twin plate crown.
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• #2758
Love those forks. They are like my Holdsworth
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• #2759
Stumbled across this eBay listing while looking for something else. Nothing to do with me. There are a couple of early derailleurs hidden in the stash if anyone needs one:
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• #2760
That stem would be ideal for my ratty '39 Raleigh 'path'......
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• #2761
Ah, does anyone have one of those shifters on the tt (of that nice bike :)?
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• #2762
It's rather nice.
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• #2763
@jeff80 I messaged the seller about the size of the Hodge and their reply was - the frame measurement are seat tube 21.5" from centre of crank to top of where seat pole enters. and cross bar is 22" from middle of seat tube across to middle of headstock.
Edit - They also now have a Hodge tandem https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/224176005705
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• #2764
🤤😋 Tasty
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• #2765
That’s really nice.
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• #2766
Sorry I gave my spare one away recently.
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• #2767
Yes, just saw that tonight. They have a Hodge track frame (or what looks to be a track frame) as well. Just having a think about space really, and am also being tempted by an incomplete listing for a 1937 Carlton frame with no photos as yet-so many temptations!
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• #2768
Also, this seller has 3 good barn finds-although the Hobbs forks look wrong to me, certainly don't match the tight rear triangle in my eyes...
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• #2769
Unknown maker frame with unusual lug design:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Unknown-classic-red-steel-road-bike-frame-fork-distinctive-ornate-lugs/402455691852?hash=item5db43a824c:g:2O8AAOSwAnhfagjy -
• #2770
I've seen those lugs already
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• #2771
:(
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• #2772
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• #2773
Soo beautiful.
1933 ? wow
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• #2774
Does anyone have a good condition pair of Lyotard Marcel Berthet M23 pedals for sale?
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• #2775
AJ Hodge - https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/224174975465
Very little information can be found on Hodge -
Albert J. (Pop) Hodge (b.1877; d.1966) manufactured ‘Holly’ racingcycles and tandems from 1905. He had shops in Wood Green and Tottenham, London, where he was based until 1924. From 1933 to 1966 he was based in Luton where he was a very popular cycle builder.
Hodge is said to have inspired the likes of Maurice Selbach and Claud Butler with ideas such as tapered stays, steeper frame angles, wing nuts and fully brazed seat clusters.
In the 1920s and 1930s his cycles were used by many North London clubmen, such as Leon Meredith, with considerable success in time trials and road records. During this period he also had close connections with the phonograph and gramophone industry. Tandems were hugely popular in the 1930s as a means for couples to get out and enjoy cycling
and the countryside before motor cars became affordable. https://www.shuttleworth.org/collection/1938-a-j-hodge-tandem/
The link to Leon Meredith is very interesting as he appears to have been a fascinating cyclist and character -
https://www.classiclightweights.co.uk/lightweight_extras/the-cycling-legacy-of-leon-meredith-bastide-and-the-constrictor-tyre-company
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