Beautiful British Bike Needs Identifying - Carlton Pro?

[HKB-617]

My Dad has this lovely Carlton which he bought as is in the 90s but we know nothing about the model and age. If anyone can shed light on its provenance that would be great. Its actually surprising light for a steel bike. Would it have been top of the range back then? Who knows...

 

[Midlife]

Yep, Carlton Pro from 1977, best bang per buck frame available at the time. Available as frame only in the team silver Lustre (it has a proper colour name that I forget)

They ride really well and rider won UK Road race champs on one...

Has all the kit on it too.... I'm just a bit jealous lol

 

[Guinessisgoodforyou]

+1 fantastic frameset.

 

[jim haseltine]

The frame is a Professional Mk5 as far as I can make out, top range late 1970s. It's got some pretty good kit hung on it too - Campagnolo Record gears, chainset and brake calipers. Can't see the brake levers properly, could be Campagnolo that have been fitted with replacement rubber hoods. Don't recognise the pedals or seat post.

 

[HKB-617]

Amazing! Thanks guys for the info. Do you know where I can read more about Carlton's history?

 

[jim haseltine]

Try here >>> Carlton Cycles

 

[Spankyfart]

Damn that bike looks amazing for it's age.

 

[Nob]

Yep, Carlton Pro from 1977, best bang per buck frame available at the time. Available as frame only in the team silver Lustre (it has a proper colour name that I forget)

They ride really well and rider won UK Road race champs on one...

Has all the kit on it too.... I'm just a bit jealous lol

Agreed 100% & at the time I could only afford the clubman frameset….

 

[jim haseltine]

Same here. In Eau-de-nil. There are three in the stack of bikes in my parent's garage along with a modernized Moulton De Luxe and some sort of 1950s Viking lady's bike.

 

[Midlife]

Don't see many in Eau de Nil, bit of a marmite colour but I quite liked the colour, one of the last frames that I saw with Nervex lugs from a mainstream manufacturer.