Roofus wrote:
Definitely not boring, very interesting for a fellow venom owner. I have always been surprised there is so little information about these hand built frames. Since my original post I have occasionally traweled the internet for further information which you may also be aware of:
Phil Sherwood shop was located in Stourbridge, the name Matt Norman cropped up as a frame builder, it was suggested Phil sherwood was a team Raleigh Mechanic. There was a cycle club in Stourbridge called Phil Sherwood cycle club.
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I own a Dave Yates (Joe Waugh) built Reynolds 753 frame and have the original purchase invoice: the address was for Phil Sherwood Cycles, 54c Chawn Park Drive, Pedmore, Stourbridge DY9 OUG. The invoice dates from 1991 and the 753 stickers are the multicolour version as is on the referenced Venom bike. The frame and fork lugs of the Venom are consistent with those on many R753 frames. I'm not suggesting that it was built by Dave Yates, but Phil was sourcing frames from top 753 builders in the '90's.
The cost of my frame was £473 vs a RRP of £538. Not sure if this included the Holdsworth Orange paint job ! The frame came to me with Mavic SSC components (BB) which I think were original to its first build. It's a lovely riding bike.