Hi all!
I'm Darren Berrecloth and had a shop in Woodford Green, Essex called 'Berrecloth Cycles' (aka Berrecloth Triathlon) back in the 80s / 90s which I closed in 93/94. I specialised in triathlon and was sole UK retailer for Orbit Softride and Dave Lloyd Softride frames (although I believe Dave did make these frames for other retailers after I closed). The vast majority of bikes were made to order and with Campag group sets which I loved working with.
I haven't been on a bike for nearly 20 years but recently found one of my own machines on ebay, an Orbit 653 softride with Campag group set throughout with the exception of the bottom bracket which the original customer had specified to be replaced with a Royce Titanium sealed bracket.
I picked it up last week and was really pleased to see how well it has been looked after. The wheels were true but needed re-tentioning and I spent a very happy half hour sorting them in my back garden (got chucked out of the living room!).
I have new cables and tubs which which I will be sorting in the next couple of days and it will then only be a case of plucking up the nerve to get back on the road again!
When running my shop, my involvement within triathlon included giving talks and demonstrations on bike design and mechanics to, amongst others, the British Triathlon Association so had a very in depth knowledge of cycle technologies at the time. My family get bored rigid with me when I start talking about bikes so if anyone feels I may be answer any questions for them I would love to help!
I'm Darren Berrecloth and had a shop in Woodford Green, Essex called 'Berrecloth Cycles' (aka Berrecloth Triathlon) back in the 80s / 90s which I closed in 93/94. I specialised in triathlon and was sole UK retailer for Orbit Softride and Dave Lloyd Softride frames (although I believe Dave did make these frames for other retailers after I closed). The vast majority of bikes were made to order and with Campag group sets which I loved working with.
I haven't been on a bike for nearly 20 years but recently found one of my own machines on ebay, an Orbit 653 softride with Campag group set throughout with the exception of the bottom bracket which the original customer had specified to be replaced with a Royce Titanium sealed bracket.
I picked it up last week and was really pleased to see how well it has been looked after. The wheels were true but needed re-tentioning and I spent a very happy half hour sorting them in my back garden (got chucked out of the living room!).
I have new cables and tubs which which I will be sorting in the next couple of days and it will then only be a case of plucking up the nerve to get back on the road again!
When running my shop, my involvement within triathlon included giving talks and demonstrations on bike design and mechanics to, amongst others, the British Triathlon Association so had a very in depth knowledge of cycle technologies at the time. My family get bored rigid with me when I start talking about bikes so if anyone feels I may be answer any questions for them I would love to help!
