Freddie Grubb
- Thread starter jonrock
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OldTel
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Hi, F H Grubb was a top builder from the 1920's to 1950 when Holdsworth toke over them over, some were the 'business' i.e. the Perfection Exquisite http://www.classiclightweights.co.uk/bikes/grubb-pe-rb.html check out the top of seat tube - superb. Terry
A few pic's of my dad's 1962/3 Freddie Grubb Tourmalet. Think the Freddie Grubbs (as opposed to F.H. Grubbs) were the Holdsworth era ones.
Some pic's from when I "stole" it from my dad's garage, and once I'd spruced it up a bit in gallery here: http://www.retrobike.co.uk/gallery2/main.php?g2_itemId=57587
Some pic's from when I "stole" it from my dad's garage, and once I'd spruced it up a bit in gallery here: http://www.retrobike.co.uk/gallery2/main.php?g2_itemId=57587
Freddie Grubb - a little history.
Freddie Grubb, set up shop in Brixton circa 1914, financed in part by Charlie Davey (I have a friend who is a member of the Davey family).
1919 Freddie Grubb set up in a shop in Croydon with"Ching"Allin (Allin & Grubb).
Earliest known genuine Grubb frame is about 1922.
Holdsworthy took over the Grubb name in 1952, these Grubbs were not highly regarded (even by Holdsworth) they were their second grade bikes and were built in 531 plain guage and rarely, if ever, full tubesets - the name however remained attractive.
The last true Freddie Grubb shop appears to have been in Wimbledon.
I take an active interest in frame builders/shops in this part of the world; what is now known as south London.
Roadking.
Freddie Grubb, set up shop in Brixton circa 1914, financed in part by Charlie Davey (I have a friend who is a member of the Davey family).
1919 Freddie Grubb set up in a shop in Croydon with"Ching"Allin (Allin & Grubb).
Earliest known genuine Grubb frame is about 1922.
Holdsworthy took over the Grubb name in 1952, these Grubbs were not highly regarded (even by Holdsworth) they were their second grade bikes and were built in 531 plain guage and rarely, if ever, full tubesets - the name however remained attractive.
The last true Freddie Grubb shop appears to have been in Wimbledon.
I take an active interest in frame builders/shops in this part of the world; what is now known as south London.
Roadking.
Jon, the tandem front bottom bracket was normally made with an eccentric adjustment for the chain connecting the 2 crank sets. This needed about .5 inch adjustment total.
In the 1960's I sold probably more than 100 Freddie Grubb frames from the Holdsworthy Company which were a good cheap frame for the money (£7.12.6d), made usually with reynolds grade A drawn tubing. I would put them better than the 95% of the lower Carltons which were also well made for the price, but had the flashy chrome finishes.
In the 1960's I sold probably more than 100 Freddie Grubb frames from the Holdsworthy Company which were a good cheap frame for the money (£7.12.6d), made usually with reynolds grade A drawn tubing. I would put them better than the 95% of the lower Carltons which were also well made for the price, but had the flashy chrome finishes.
daccordimark
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Sorry to hijack but I had a Grubb frame, age unknown, I suspect it was a Holdsworthy one. The thing that always puzzled me about it was the tubing. It was externally butted which I've never seen on anything else. Was this some lower grade Reynolds tubing or something more obscure? I lost the frame when I left it in someone's loft only to find they moved house and left it there. By the time I found out it was too late and the frame had been dumped by the landlord. A real shame as it was a nice old classic frame.
Mark.
Mark.
That sounds mad as a box of frogs. Was it a smooth transition to fat butted tubing to skinny un-butted? I'd love to see that.
FredC - your dad's Tourmalet looks tidy as you like. That green leather bar tape sets of the colour scheme a treat. Those seat stays are walking a fine line between steel rod and wire - it must be a lovely comfy ride
FredC - your dad's Tourmalet looks tidy as you like. That green leather bar tape sets of the colour scheme a treat. Those seat stays are walking a fine line between steel rod and wire - it must be a lovely comfy ride
daccordimark
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Goldie":1pvjzi5j said:
From memory it was a very slight increase in diameter a couple of inches before the lugs. I can't remember if it was on all the main tubes or just the top tube.
Mark.
