1970s Holdsworth 531c

For sale, a well-equipped old Holdsworth road bike: frame number 41484; 531c tubing; Campagnolo headset; Cinelli Giro D'Italia 64-42 handlebars; Shimano 105 brake levers with,hoods; SLR brakes; Campagnolo seatpin bolt; Cinelli stem; Shimano pedals; Binda straps; Campagnolo dropouts; Strong light cranks; tubular rims with 6 speed freewheel; Campagnolo gear levers; Dura Ace front gear.

The original wheels were Mavic Monthelery Route tubulars, which were replaced as they were split. Those rims are still around somewhere and available, if required. The seattube length is just under 59cm from centre of chainwheel to top. I'd like £350 for it, but am open to persuasion.

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Hi there,
There's been some discussion on Retrobike under "Holdsworth Frame Numbering" re date of your frame. Do you have any firm pedigree info? Is the serial number accurate? Lugs and number as stated seems to fit with a Special from mid 70's. Although some of frame features point more to early 80's. Has there perhaps been some frame braze-on additions or could the number actually be 041484 which would point to an 80's frame?

Hi - well, it wouldn't be Retrobike if there wasn't a discussion about everything other than buying the thing :-)

The number's correct. Initially, I mistakenly tagged it as first half of the 70s, going by what I'd seen on other sites and advice from a guy who used to work for Holdsworth. According to the real experts though, it's from 76, which is fine and makes sense - at least until some bright spark decides to reinterpret the numbering system yet again.

Thanks for the reply.

Nice bike. Perhaps the publicity on Retrobike will lead to a sale! :)

Looks very much like the 501 framed Holdsworth from the early 80's. Either way some clarification is needed as 531c wasn't around in the 70's

You sure about that? I recall having a Mercian from the 1970s, completely original, which was 531c.

That is such a nice bike / frame :)

Lugs, seat stays, fork crown, dropouts, wheelbase and likely the frame number place it as a mid 70's Holdsworth Special :)

It's been refinished with some modern braze ons and kit but doesn't detract from the fact that Thin Lizzy were in the charts when this was brazed.....

I'd be interested in the frame if you end up splitting.

Shaun

I was sure it was the early 80's and this confirms it.
http://www.hlloydcycles.com/531%20history.pdf

Does it? Are hlloydcycles the ultimate arbiters now? You and I have both been around long enough to know that there's rarely a definitive answer to any of this stuff.

Thanks Shaun -nice to finally have some interest, in the middle of this developing symposium. PM me re the frame, as splitting seems the way to go.

I am not saying a comparable 531 wasn't around in the 70's just that in the early 80's Reynolds introduced a new way of defining their tubesets. Before there was 531 and 531SL, then after there was 531c 531st and 531pro.
I agree (now that I have enlarged the photos) that the lugs are not the same as the 80's Holdsworths I have owned so maybe it's been given a replacement decal - it is rather shiny!

Updated info: can't edit the title as my login details have changed, but it's now confirmed as a first wave Holdsworth Special from 1974, with later braze-ons and non-Special colouring. Approx 23" from centre to top. The Reynolds sticker that was the source of some confusion has been removed, revealing the original 531 label. Price drop bump - £300 ono.