For Sale: 61cm Holdsworth Triath-Elan with Shimano Tricolor groupset

Out with the old pt.1:

I have had this bike over a year now, and I have long been very attached to it, as it is the first bike I have properly built up myself. I bought it as a frame, forks, and nasty wheels, with original seatpost and stem, and gradually built it up using a slightly period incorrect groupset, but one which suits it very nicely. I love the bike, but my needs have changed, and I have gone for something slightly more aggressive and a little bit smaller.

Specs:
Frame/Fork:
1985 Holdsworth Triath-Elan, in Reynolds 531CS (Club Sport) with 531 forks
Seat tube: 61.5cm ctc
Top tube: 58cm ctc

Original Tange Allez headset

Cinelli Campione del Mondo bars 42cm
Cinelli 1A stem, 110mm

Shimano 600 Ultegra (Tricolor) group:
Chainset with 170mm cranks
Band-on front mech
Rear mech (nicer looking non-aero version)
Seatpost (aero, 27.2mm)
Front and rear brakes (with Kool-Stop salmon pads)
2x8 STI shifters
Hubs laced to Mavic Open 4 CD rims, with tubes and well-used 25mm Panaracer Paselas

Unknown Shimano BB
SRAM PG 850 12-28 8spd cassette
SRAM PC 870 chain

San Marco Rolls saddle in black

The bike has been well used, and all of the components, bar the chain, cassette, cables and brake pads were also bought used. I have used it for long rides, I've commuted on it, and I've got it muddy and cleaned it again many times. Just today I rode through a minor flood. In the interest of transparency, here are the minor niggles:

-Some wear to the small chainring
-Some pedal rub to the cranks
-The right-hand crank worked its way loose recently. I re-tightened it and ridden 100+ miles since doing this without further problems, but I can't guarantee the lifespan of the taper
-The right-hand shifter is a little temperamental - sometimes the large lever does not return all the way after shifting to a lower gear, so you have to nudge it 1-2mm before you can shift up again.
-The frame could do with a respray, and has a few spots where the paint has worn off
-The cloth handlebar tape is badly applied and dirty. It is white, what was I thinking.

This is how it looked before cleaning the other day:

And here's how it looked after, and how spotless it will look as you ride it away (although then it will have wheels):

(Pedals and Raceblades not included)

I am looking for £245, and if it came down to it, I would split into frame/forks/headset and the groupset, assuming I had buyers for all parts.

More photos available on request, and I'll try and get some nice ones taken if I ever find daylight hours when I'm not working or riding.

Very good descriptive thread.

#nobias

Good deal, good seller
#alsonotbias

Used one of these as a commuter for several years, excellent bike for the task I thought.

Too tempting...

You only live once, go nuts!

Seriously though, it's a lovely bike. It rides like a divan it's so comfortable, and the groupset is the nicest looking groupset ever produced. Fact.

Please someone, buy it quickly, I can't afford to keep it but I wish I could...

This hasn't had as much interest as I'd hoped, and though I think it's worth every penny, it could be that the price is a little high.

Man-sized users of the forum, roll up, I will now accept offers in the region of £225, or £230 fitted with any of the pedals listed in this thread.

Is front mech braze on or band on?
How much just for the frame/headset?
Ta

It's a band-on.

£100 for frame, forks and headset. I'd rather not split though, just because of the effort involved. Buy the whole thing, split it yourself, and you'll make more than the difference back for sure.

If you do split let me know.
Have friends West London or come up regular. Which part are you?
Really dont need the rest of the kit, sorry, it would be built up with modern stuff after respray

nickyburnell at gmail.com

Interested in this as a whole would ideally like a test ride though if possible?

PM'd earlier, but for the benefit of everyone else, the bike is available for viewing in N19, just off Hornsey Road, and test rides are encouraged.

I looked at some figures for splitting the bike, but at the prices I think it's all worth, it came to over £300. Bargain City for whoever buys the whole thing, or Effort City with a tour through the backwaters of Leftover Front Derailleur town if no-one takes me up on this soon.

Roughly:
Frame £90
Shifters £50
Wheels with tyres and tubes £50
Seatpost £35
Etc. £competitive

But I don't want to split until those bits all have homes

not sold? that's cheap

Seems to be attracting the forums shy, retiring types, who contact me about viewings and then clam up.

Retrobike if this isn't sold by the weekend, they'll know a deal when they see one.

SOLD pending collection.

That's a relief.

Jesus, finally. Nice one!

sold

:(

onwards and upwards ;)

Yes indeed. Hopefully by the weekend!