1976 Holdsworth Equipe

Kate’s lovely and largely original 1976 Holdsworth Equipe on test after a few hours of TLC.  The Equipe was Holdsworth’s entry level road bike and was something of a rarity for the legendary British marque, given that it features a non Reynolds tubed lugged steel frame and Campagnolo’s rather primitive Valentino derailleurs – the front featuring the pushrod mechanism, while the flimsy looking rear features a brutal claw fitment type.  Still, the bike was also spec’d with GB bars & stem  and some quality European parts – a Regina freewheel, Normandy Atom hubs and Weinmann 999 centrepull brakes – all of which have come back to life nicely.  More of a refreshment than a full restoration, it’s been a challenge and a joy bringing this 41 year old back to roadworthy condition on a reasonably modest budget – with the only new parts required being the tyres, tubes, ‘bar tape, saddle, chain, cables & brake lever hoods.  Restoring the period Wrights leather saddle is a job for another, rainier day…

Frame & Fork: 1976 Holdsworth Equipe 55cm lugged steel
Headset: Tange (original)
Stem: GB (original)
Handlebar: GB (original)
Bar Tape: Deda (new) with period reflective end plugs
Brake Levers: Weinmann (original) with Cane Creek hoods (new)
Brakes: Weinmann Vainqueur 999 (original)
Brake Cables: new
Shifters: Campagnolo (original)
Front Derailleur: Campagnolo Valentino (original)
Rear Derailleur: Campagnolo Nuovo Valentino Extra (original)
Gear Cables: new
Freewheel: Regina 5 speed (presumably original)
Chain: KMC (new)
Crankset: SR 3SD 52/40 (original)
Bottom Bracket: Tange (original)
Pedals: unknown (presumably original)
Rims: Silverseal 27 x 1 1/4″ chromed steel (original)
Hubs: Normandy Atom alloy low flange (original)
Tyres: Schwalbe 27 x 1 1/4″ (new)
Tubes: new
Saddle: Charge Spoon (new)
Seatpost: Birmalloy 26.4mm (original)
Seatpost Binder: original
Weight: 25.2lb (11.5kg)

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