Frame repairs in London

Afternoon...

My Holdsworth Corsair and I recently had an unfortunate entanglement with a Minicab on Holloway Road. At the time, the 'incident' appeared innocuous, just a few nicks to top tube paintwork, but it appears that it may have also caused a crack on the head tube, as now a large one has appeared near the bottom lugs of the tube and opened it up like a can of beans. It's (arguably) now unsafe to ride, not to mention scary-looking, so it'll need replacing. Gutted.

so... before I post the bike to Bob Jackson, Dave Yates or Argos or someone out in shires, can anyone recommend a place that repairs frames in or around London? I believe that a certain Mr Vaz does frame repairs, but is his workmanship up to scratch (like his paintjobs?) Is there anywhere else?

Cheers.

Give Barry Witcomb a call... He's got 50 years of experience and is in Deptford... I've seen quite a few bikes in his workshop that look like they should be melted down for scrap cos they're soooo damaged but he confidently said "no problems... new tube here, weld there"

he's pretty busy but might be worth a call, Good luck!
Martin

http://www.witcombcycles.co.uk/

Barrie Witcomb of Deptford is yer man.

Closed Mondays, and he's also closed from Thurs this week for the Cycle show.

Give him or Ernie (his Dad) a shout.

He's been building frames from the same premises for 48 years.

Er, yeah.

What cookie said.

Roberts?namba one frame builder in the uk or Witcomb Cycles up in the same league

Hey kowalski

Barry is/has built you a frame right?

If so any tips on managing the experience ;-) He seems busy - How long did it take start to finish?

cookie If so any tips on managing the experience ;-)

Many bottles of inexpensive red wine...

He seems busy - How long did it take start to finish?

He is indeed busy, but hopelessly disorganised with it.

I ordered my frame on 6th July, with an ETA of end August.

It would have been ready end of last week had not the enameller cocked up. It's currently being repainted, but Barrie will be at the Cycle show so it won't happen before late next week.

I can only suggest you take the 6 week estimate with a pinch of salt. My only real gripe is that if I'd known it was gonna take this long I'd have bought another bike to use in the interim and sold it later.

His work is, however, worth waiting for...

I've had a frame repair from Barrie and yes he's very disorganised but his work is top notch. He's also great at sourcing NOS tubing/lugs, which is really handy for vintage repairs. Plus Barrie is a wealth of information and very friendly.

The other option not mentioned so far would be talking to Ross at Brixton cycles. He does the odd frame repair but he''ll probably just refer you to Witcomb.

thanks for the tips. I'll be on the phone to Witcomb today...

so this chap is not around any more

rob sergeant is on holiday

i have a cracked bottom bracket on a an old puch, any ideas other than the man mario vaz or argos who could sort this out please?

Cheers

bottom bracket casing that is

The ice-ruined roads of London have finally done for my bike. Snapped the chainstay clean through near the BB on the way home tonight. Not an expensive frame by any stretch, but I love riding it. Very sad if I have to send it to the big shed in the sky. Anyone got any reccomendations for repair, or if even worth thinking about repairing. Should I just bite the bullet & get a new frame?

You said you love riding it, that is enough reason to fix it.

I am getting a chain stay fixed also. It came to me that way.

That is what I love about steel, always fixable(within reason).

S/F<
CEYA!

According to Wiki, they moved to Wales?
Can anyone confirm this? I'm looking for someone to repair a frame in London.

http://www.oakcycles.com/

Thanks Doktor,

If they will do it, I'm just curious of the cost. Those prices on there are crazy.
I need a Vitus 979 frame re-bonded.

Just wanted to give some praise to Ryan at Oak Cycles. He knows his stuff, will give you an honest opinion and is a pleasure to deal with.

http://www.oakcycles.com/

I have stupidly snapped a bolt in my downtube shifter mounts, who is the best person, read least busy frame builder who could sort this out?

Best to call around, I'd try Matt at Talbot, or Winston Vaz (Mario's brother) if you are South, and Ryan at Oak if you are East.

Matthew from Saffron Frameworks is a really great guy, and super talented.