Pair of 1980s steel framed bikes

[Julia9054]

I have acquired these this morning. They belonged to the neighbour of a friend whose late husband used to do time trials in the 1980s. They come with spare wheels and a bucket full of bits and pieces, some still boxed. I intend to do them up and ride them and really want to do them justice as they were obviously his pride and joy. Any information and advice would be most welcome as I have never attempted a project like this before.

 

[Pat "5mph"]

Are you a tall woman, Julia? They look like big frames, in the pictures anyway.

 

[Julia9054]

I am 5ft 4. Height wise both not too bad (I have long legs) but a both bit of a stretch. The Elsworth is slightly smaller.

 

[Pat "5mph"]

And have you got clearance?
They look lovely, enjoy your learning curve.

 

[Cycleops]

Very nice bikes. @biggs682 is the person to ask. Yes, the frames are quite big, look like around 22.5". They seem like tubs on the wheels, that is tyres and inner tubes integrated into one unit which have to be glued on the rim. Not popular now but can still be bought but very expensive now, about £60 each and they'll almost certainly need replacing. The only way around it is to replace the rims for wired on type. Maybe you have some in your bits, or change the wheels. Paint looks good so will only need bearings re greased and cables replaced.

At any rate well worth the effort to restore. Well done.

 

[raleighnut]

As long as you can stand with both feet flat on the floor without the crossbar 'doing you a mischief' then the frame isn't too big, they look great bikes.

 

[Julia9054]

As long as you can stand with both feet flat on the floor without the crossbar 'doing you a mischief' then the frame isn't too big, they look great bikes.

I can (just). 30" inside leg - long legs for a short bird!

 

[biggs682]

I am 5ft 4. Height wise both not too bad (I have long legs) but a both bit of a stretch. The Elsworth is slightly smaller.

@Julia9054 they look stunning bikes do what ever you need to do to make yourself fit those bikes , both look to be 22" size + plus area with long stems , so shorter stems will help with the reach . So just make sure you have some clearance on the cross bar .

my advise would be to check the basic's first ie no seized stems or seat posts, once you are happy they are free to move and adjust give them a good clean and please please do not repaint them and loose all the patina .

tubs and sprints do give a great ride and really look the biz but not always ideal , new tubs are available cheapishly so treat yourself for one of the bikes and try them .

keep the spares as they always come in handy for bartering or swapping for a nice set of clincher wheels .

if you want any help please ask we are not miles apart , if you change your mind there are a few retro nts on cycle chat who would love either or both of these classic bikes .

thank you @Cycleops

 

[biggs682]

I can (just). 30" inside leg - long legs for a short bird!

and i wonder where they finish

 

[Julia9054]

A bit of research indicates that Wes Mason was one of the founders of MKM Cycles inHarrogate in 1972. Steve Elsworth joined the company in 1976. The company folded in 1980 with the two frame builders setting up separately, Wes Mason in Harrogate and Steve Elsworth in Thorpe Arch specialising in time trial bikes. The tyres do indeed look tubeless. They take air but the rubber will be perished

 

[Hugh Manatee]

Lovely. No 11 - 32 cassette on those! @midlife would appreciate those photographs.

 

[Julia9054]

and i wonder where they finish

At my feet, obviously!

 

[S-Express]

The tyres do indeed look tubeless.

Tubular (ie tubs), not tubeless

 

[Julia9054]

Tubular (ie tubs), not tubeless

Cheers. I just meant they don't appear to have inner tubes.
I have a lot to learn!

 

[biggs682]

Cheers. I just meant they don't appear to have inner tubes.
I have a lot to learn!

learning is the fun part so enjoy it and learn