ForestHill
Retro Guru
After a bit more tinkering,and a 120 miler to the coast on it with all manner of bags and racks, I've decided to strip this back to a racer.
The frame was handbuilt by Don Brooks in Grantham for a friend of his. He built very few frames during his lifetime, and this is number 124 of around 200, built in around 1990.
I just need some more sunny days and I'll take it out to the countryside.
This is what the original buyer had to say about it:
Frame: Don Brooks, mixture of SLX and SL.
Fork: Don Brooks straight bladed Columbus.
Headset: Campagnolo Athena
Stem: 3TTT
Handlebar: 3TTT Campione
Bar Tape: Fizik microtex
Brake Levers/Brifters: Shimano RX100 (until I find some DA ones at a jumble!)
Brake Calipers: Dura Ace 7401
Shifters: Simplex aero
Front Derailleur: Dura Ace 7401
Rear Derailleur: Dura Ace 7402
Cassette: Dura Ace close ratio
Cranks: Dura Ace 7400
Chainrings: Shimano
Bottom Bracket: Campagnolo Athena
Pedals: Shimano M540
Rims: Wolber TX
Hubs: Dura Ace 7400
Tyres: Michelin Dynamic Classic
Saddle: Brooks B17 (looks good for photos, but might swap out)
Seatpost: Generic
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The frame was handbuilt by Don Brooks in Grantham for a friend of his. He built very few frames during his lifetime, and this is number 124 of around 200, built in around 1990.
I just need some more sunny days and I'll take it out to the countryside.
This is what the original buyer had to say about it:
"- That particular frame was made the winter of 1992/93. The reason I know is because I'd started winning road races and riding Peter Buckleys at
that point, and they used to get you to wear frame numbers. And Don and I were very similar - we didnt like zipp ties on bikes, so he put the braze
on, for the frame number!
- It's a mix of SL and SLX. I seem to remember it had cinelli lugs -you should be able to look and tell farily easily.
_ re Don, no not many people rode his frames because quite frankly he only made frames for people he respected as bike riders. When I was growing up he only made frames for Rod Ellingworth. He made him one per year. I know before I met Don he'd made a frame for the Dawes girl too (I can't remember her name but very talented) and a few other national riders etc.
- Don offered to make my first bike in 1991, yours is/was my 2nd. I had 2 more after that, and then 1 more which I still have (my last bike built by Don)."
Frame: Don Brooks, mixture of SLX and SL.
Fork: Don Brooks straight bladed Columbus.
Headset: Campagnolo Athena
Stem: 3TTT
Handlebar: 3TTT Campione
Bar Tape: Fizik microtex
Brake Levers/Brifters: Shimano RX100 (until I find some DA ones at a jumble!)
Brake Calipers: Dura Ace 7401
Shifters: Simplex aero
Front Derailleur: Dura Ace 7401
Rear Derailleur: Dura Ace 7402
Cassette: Dura Ace close ratio
Cranks: Dura Ace 7400
Chainrings: Shimano
Bottom Bracket: Campagnolo Athena
Pedals: Shimano M540
Rims: Wolber TX
Hubs: Dura Ace 7400
Tyres: Michelin Dynamic Classic
Saddle: Brooks B17 (looks good for photos, but might swap out)
Seatpost: Generic


