1978 Carlton Competition anyone have any info?

[Robbied196]

Picked this up from an elderly gentleman yesterday. He'd bought it from a guy who had it from new and so thought it was all original. It was always a bit big for him which might explain the crazy seat angle Just needs a good clean up and the odd new cable and new chain. This is badged as a Worksop England Carlton so must will be prior to 1981 when they closed. I'll try and see if I can find any component dates.

There's no sign of a model name so I wondered if any Carlton experts can shed any light?

Reynolds 531 butted fork blades, stays and frame tubes. Campagnolo drop outs, Shimano 400 FD and RD, SR Apex Chainset, Normandy QR large flange hubs with Weinmann rims 27 x 1 1/4", Weinmann 605 calipers, Kyokuto Quill pedals.

Ideas welcome

 

[Midlife]

Looks like a Carlton Competition ........we sold them as a frame only in the shop and AFAIK they were never built from the factory. Bits on them would place it 76-78, the Kyokuto pedals (I have some) were a solid mid-late 70's alternative to Campag

Shaun

 

[Midlife]

IIRC for this frame the number was down the seat tube under where the saddlebag sits.....



Shaun

 

[Robbied196]

IIRC for this frame the number was down the seat tube under where the saddlebag sits.....



Shaun

Hi Shaun

Thanks for the info, I've given it a check over, unfortunately no number on the seat tube. But there is one under the bottom bracket shell: WN8004626. Could be October 1978? From a quick look through http://www.carltoncycles.me.uk

I've not come across Kyokuto pedals before, so its interesting they were a Campagnolo alternative. Been having a search on Velobase not sure these are a pedal match, but they list the following: A pair of these cost $26 in 1975 in the Bikecology catalog. An all steel rat trap was $4.50. Definitely not cheap!

Seems to be quite a well specced bike for its day.

 

[Midlife]

Sorry...........the better class of Carlton frame had the frame number on the BB (they used to be on the drive side chain stay).

Looks like someone bought the frame and put on the bits that they liked This was the norm in the late 70's when the modern concept of the "groupset" was for the rich and famous.

Back then 99% of people bought what they liked , could afford or get second hand.... My Road Bike at that time had a Mix of Campag / Shimano / plus the Kyokuto pedals which were the track version because they were in a trendy black colour LOL

A Classic of it's time really

Shaun

 

[Robbied196]

Well, done loads of searching and as Shaun said it seems most likely a Carlton 'Competition'.

Does anyone know anything about the Competition frames, there's very little info on the net.

 

[Midlife]

One of the problems when looking for info is that Carlton used the name for several incarnations of the frame over the years.

Look at today's ford Focus versus the original Focus on launch.........same name but different car completely.

In 1978 the Competition would be above the Clubman (531 main tubes and cheap) but below the Professional range......

Shaun

 

[Robbied196]

After a bit of a scrub and polish

 

[bikenrrd]

I have an earlier Carlton Competition (which is for sale!) but your's appears to have a nicer frame than mine. Mine has the "531 butted frame tubes" sticker, which I think means the stays and forks are cro-mo. Mine also has the frame number on the dropout - I'll have a look to what it is tonight.

Here's a pic:

 

[Midlife]

That's spruced up well

Carlton's always rode nicely, even the cheaper frames had a reasonably short wheelbase and tighter angles to make them a bit more lively than the (raleigh) opposition.

I wouldn't be upset at a main tube only 531 competition, still a classy frame

Shaun