1976 Holdsworth Professional

serial no. 42981

Purchased for $1000 in April 2010 from a CR List member in Regina, Canada, who obtained it from the wife of the original owner who bought it new in the UK. He "updated" it in 1984 with Campagnolo Super Record derailleurs and gear levers, Dia Comp aero brakes, new wheelset of Mavic G-40s and low-flange Campagnolo hubs and Super Record large chain ring.

Back on the road 21 July 2010

The Restoration
In original condition, the frame required only minor touch ups, but alas has a dent on the underside of the downtube which was not known at time of sale (grrr..!). Following the original specs, a full Campagnolo 1st generation Super Record component group was installed.

The Bicycle
as described in the 1976 Holdsworthy Cycle Aids catalogue:

"Les West's champion frame, upright and very responsive, with the latest developments incorporated. 75 deg parallel, 39 1/4 in. wheelbase, ultra-close road clearance for Piccolo brakes.

Solely made of Reynolds 531 double butted tubine in Prugnat "S" type lugs, this has 5/8in. seat stays incorporating the Holdsworthy designed full hollow wrapover for lightness and extra strength. The fork blades are a Holdsworthy exclusive, made by Reynolds to special order with a very large oval section and gradual rake to spread cornering stresses.

The rear triangle is only 16 1/4 in. but the 10 3/4 in. bracket height and steep angles make this ideal for tight corners."

The Ride
An absolutely brilliant racing machine! This is the rare 1976 model of the Professional with 75 deg head and seat tube angles, offered only that year, and said to be too "twitchy" and resulting in a switch back to 74 degs parallel the following model year. The stiff angles combined with a short 39.25" wheelbase and a high 10.75" bb height make this a very lively and responsive criterium style pure racing machine which I, at least, don't find the least bit "twitchy". It is, in fact, one of the best rides in my collection.

What also distinguishes this frame is superb build quality with nicely but not excessively filed lugs and excellent enamelling, the original paint retaining a deep, rich brilliant gloss and depth. And Holdsworth were definitely traditionalists, this 1976 frame retaining lug lining, the distinctive artistic decoration of the seat stay caps and having almost no braze-ons.

Frame
Material: Reynolds 531 double butted tubing frame and forks.
Finish (original): Holdsworth Racing Team livery: competition orange with kingfisher blue seat and top tube panels, white lug lining and seat cap decoration. Chromed front and rear drop-outs.
Size: seat tube 61 cm (c to t), 59.5 cm (c to c) top tube 57.5 cm (c to c)
Chainstay length: 16.25" (c to c)
Bottom bracket height: 10.75"
Wheelbase: 39.75" (c to c)
Angles: 75º head 75º seat
Fork offset: 1½ inches
Rear spacing: 120 mm
Lugs: Prugnat “S” type long point
Seat stays: 5/8” with full hollow wrapover
Fork blades: special Holdsworth pattern with large oval section and gradual rake
Fork Crown: Prugnat sloping crown
Dropouts: Campagnolo forged and chromed
Braze-ons: Campagnolo cable guides top of bb shell and chain stay cable stop, gear lever bosses
Serial no: 42981

Components
Rear derailleur: Campagnolo Super Record pat. 76
Front deralleur: Campagnolo Nuovo Record 1052/1
Gear levers: Campagnolo 1014
Chainset: Campagnolo Super Record Strada 43t x 54t, 172.5 cm cranks, 1974 date code (same code as the original 170 mm chainset)
Bottom bracket: Campagnolo Super Record with hollow titanium spindle
Headset: Campagnolo Super Record
Stem: Cinelli 1A, 120 mm
Handlebars: Cinelli Campione del Mondo, 40 cm (original), Velox blue cotton tape and plugs
Brakes: Campagnolo Nuovo Record side-pull short-reach (or in Holdsworth parlance, "piccolo"), nutted bolt fitting (original)
Brake levers: Campagnolo Super Record
Brake cable clips: Milremo chrome-plated (original)
Seatpost: Campagnolo Super Record, 27.2 mm
Seat binder bolt: Campagnolo allen bolt (original)
Saddle: Brooks large rivet Professional
Pedals: Campagnolo Super Record with titanium spindles
Toeclips and straps: REG Record clips, Alfredo Binda toe straps with REG bottons.
Rims: Super Champion Medaille d'Or polished alloy 36-hole sprints
Hubs: Campagnolo Record 36-hole highflange with Campagnolo straight-lever quick release skewers
Spokes: 3x 15/17 double butted, stainless steel
Freewheel: Regina Oro, 13-14-15-16-17-19t, six-speed
Chain: Regina Oro
Tyres: Tufo Jet-Pro sew-ups
Weight: 21.45 lbs