Holdsworth Mistral - Wheel size?

[sam_white]

I've been looking at Holdsworth Mistral bikes/frames and some seem to have 700c wheels and others 27x 1x1/4
Did they change at some point during the production run, or is it just owners swapping around?
What size wheels were the frames built for? Anyone know? Lack of catalogues in the archive.

 

[LondonClassic]

What year Mistral? I would have thought anything before the 80s would have been on 27x. If it's got centre pull brakes then you're usually free to use either size given the range of adjustment available.

 

[Glug]

I'm running 700c tubulars + GB Coureur 66 on a 1961 Cyclone.
Mafac Racer also works, but I use the 'long' version on the back,
So very much 27" not required.

 

[pigman]

My 81 Mistral (now sold) was designed for 27" with guards, 28mm(ish) tyres and 57 drop brakes. However, I think for a touring bike the clearances are a bit tight.
I ran it with 700c wheels and 32 mm tyres and the clearances against the mudguards were far better. The only 'problem' was you need 730 drop brakes and most of the best makes stop at 57 drop. So the best you'll manage are the likes of Tektro, Gran compe or Alongha deep drops.
I'd run 700cs rather than 27s no question

Mine in the link below 700c with 32mm tyres

P

Sold Thread 'Holdsworth Mistral touring bike'

Jun 22, 2025

1981 531db frame, 21.5"/55cm seat and top tube with original paintwork

Set up for light touring with 2x7 indexed Shimano transmission. Most components original 1980s (except for wheel rims, dual pivot braking and Sora rear mech. ) 3TTT Morphe randonneur bars and stem, Turbo saddle, Suntour seatpin, Esge mudguards.

Wheels rebuilt last year with Spa Exal rims. New brake blocks, bar tape and chain and 32mm tyres have minimal wear.

Condition - not concourse and shows light patina. My view is that it doesn't need a respray and frame has no dents.

Reasons for sale - too many bikes, health...

• pigman
• Replies: 1
• Forum: Road For Sale - Complete Bikes

• 

 

[juvela]

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owned a mcmlxxii Claud Torino (the Claud edition of the Mistral)

t'was factory supplied with 700 wheel & Universal model 61 brakes; 55.5mm front centre and 64mm rear


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[LondonClassic]

As an aside I ran dia.compe(Gran Comp) 610s which are CNC manufactured on my Mercian winter bike and wasn't impressed at all. The cheaper forged alloy dia compe DC750.centre pulls are far better even on stock pads. On kool stops they are really quite decent and certainly way more powerful than any deep drop sidepull I've tried.

The DC750 has a drop range of 60-78 mm so will cover a vast range of wheels/ frame combos.