Bob Jackson & Reynolds 753
David LaPorte (Biochem)
I'm looking for opinions on
- frames constructed with Reynolds 753 tubing
- Bob Jackson frames
I've heard great things about 753 tubing. It's said to be very stiff but
to have a good ride (whatever that means). It's also said to be very
hard to work with. Apparently, builders have to be specifically
certified by Reynolds before they are allowed to work with this stuff.
That may account for the fact that very few production bikes are made
with 753.
I've also heard great things about Bob Jackson frames. They are,
however, hard to come by in the US. The only importer I know about is
World Class Cycles in New York. Colorodo Cyclist used to carry them, but
they don't anymore.
Thanks.
Dave LaPorte
U. of Minn.
dav...@microbe.med.umn.edu
Alex Mclellan
: I'm looking for opinions on
: - frames constructed with Reynolds 753 tubing
Sorry, don't know
: - Bob Jackson frames
Bob Jackson ( AKA JRJ Cycles) was one of the custom frame builders
in Leeds, England, where I grew up as a child. If I'd had the money
(and if I didn't prefer Woodrup's) I'd have bought a frame from them.
They were still
there when I left the UK 5 years ago.
AFAIK their reputation was good - they built road frames, track frames,
and (I believe) tandems.
Regards
Alex (a...@mda.ca)
(not speaking for mda)
Mike Taffe
In article F...@news.cis.umn.edu, dav...@htlv.med.umn.edu (David LaPorte (Biochem)) writes:
>I've also heard great things about Bob Jackson frames. They are,
>however, hard to come by in the US. The only importer I know about is
>World Class Cycles in New York. Colorodo Cyclist used to carry them, but
>they don't anymore.
>
Bob Jackson frames are fantastic! That is, I had a early eighties 531 model for a while and I absolutely loved it. So much that I now have a 653 model on order. I can let you know how this one rides in about a month. I can't speak to the qualities of 753 specifically but Bob Jackson cycles have been working with the stuff for years--no worries about their building technique.
I'm ordering through World Class, of course. They have next to zero stock. If you are looking for a bike smaller than 55cm, they may have either a 531 or a 753--nothing else is stocked. The benefit of ordering one, however, is that you get to pick out custom geometry, paint, chrome, braze-ons etc. (The paint and geometry changes are free.) The drawback is that you have to wait between 5 and 8 weeks :-(.
mike
--
Michael Taffe
mta...@chip.ucsd.edu
__o
'/ <
Adam Rice
As the happy owner of a 10-year old 753 Bob Jackson, I can verify that
they are good bikes. I am not sure if the current ones are exactly the
same as mine--I know that the newer ones use campy dropouts instead of
the vertical shimano dropouts on mine. Mine also has crit geometry,
which was popular in 84--modern tastes run to more laid-back angles, so
Bob may have changed with the times.
As far as I know, builders do indeed have to be certified to work on
753 by building 10 test frames which are sent back to Reynolds for a
"crunch test" (ie, they see how easily they'll break). In any case,
mine hasn't broken. There are a lot of silly stories about how you can
pinch 753 with your fingers--not true. It does ride nice, though.
Adam Rice * adam...@crossroads.net * Austin TX USA
** The opinions stated herein are not necessarily those of the author **
Brian Lafferty
>I've heard great things about 753 tubing. It's said to be very stiff but
>to have a good ride (whatever that means). It's also said to be very
>hard to work with. Apparently, builders have to be specifically
>certified by Reynolds before they are allowed to work with this stuff.
>That may account for the fact that very few production bikes are made
>with 753.
>
>I've also heard great things about Bob Jackson frames. They are,
set like 531. This is why framebuilders are certified.
Saw a Bob Jackson at a charity ride in my size(almost) and
gave it a quick ride. Very, very nice. 753 is wonderful!
rma...@bnr.ca
In article <Cvps3...@news.cis.umn.edu>, dav...@htlv.med.umn.edu (David LaPorte (Biochem)) writes:
>
> I'm looking for opinions on
>
> - frames constructed with Reynolds 753 tubing
>
Waterford makes frames from 753 and 653. I ride the 753 version, I find the
bike to be reasonably light weight. As for the craftmanship, it's superb
(actually it has to be or Reynolds wouldn't sell em the 753). Ordering a custom
is not a problem and last I heard only took 4 to 6 weeks for delivery.
I believe that if you really want a 753 frame, Waterford is an outstanding choice.
Check 'em out, you'll be more than satisfied.
Adam Rice
rma...@bnr.ca writes:
>
> I believe that if you really want a 753 frame, Waterford is an outstanding choice.
> Check 'em out, you'll be more than satisfied.
Another good bet would be Mandaric up in Canada (Toronto?).