Rotrax identification and year please?

[legrandefromage]

Heres my friends' neighbour's Rotrax bought from ebay a number of years ago.

Ignore the 105, I'd like to know more about the year and what would have been on there.

I'm sure it should have had a proper mech hanger too.

 

[Robbied196]

Re:

If you drop an email to Tim Maund at Rotrax with the frame number he should be able to give you the full build spec and year. Their records are pretty good

https://rotraxcycles.wordpress.com/about/

 

[keithglos]

Re:

It looks 1958 to me, when you get confirmation then... no bets?

Rotrax sold mainly frames, many to retailers, so the original components are not really relevant.

A typical decent spec would have had Campagnolo GS, possibly pedals, TA rings on 49D, Fiamme rims on Campagnolo GS hubs. Brakes Universal or Mafac. In 1958 most used Dunlop tubulars because of free repairs and replacements.

Keith

 

[Robbied196]

Re:

Here's a copy of the 1955 Rotrax catalogue, they had a couple of complete cycles available. I've contacted Tim a couple of times and had a quick response of details including the month they were built. He seems very keen to keep the Rotrax heritage alive.

http://www.veterancycleclublibrary.org. ... ary%29.pdf

 

[keithglos]

Re:

One reason why (decent) bikes were rarely sold complete is the purchase tax of about 20% on the trade price of bikes but not components. Apart from the freedom of spec and ability to buy and improve bit by bit, there was a price incentive.

Keith