Pennine

“In 1947 Geoff Whitaker and Johnny Mapplebeck returned to Bradford from war service, much of it in Italy and joined Geoff Wood in budding Pennine cycles. Their own particular brain child at that time, influenced by their sojourn in Italy, was the Scelta de Campioni frame, one that is still the best in the Pennine range at a price of 20 guineas.”
“A little over seven years ago Whitaker and Mapplebeck (Cycles) Ltd. was registered at lngleby Road/Girlington, Bradford 8, incorporating the Pennine Cycle Accessory Co., and they have established a sound reputation as first-class specialist built-on-the-premises lightweight manufacturers.”
“Like the majority of lightweight specialists Whitaker and Mapplebeck consider frames to be the basic production element and, two models apart, are content to leave purchasers to make their own choice of equipment, and in some cases influence the design of the frame.”
“Framesets, in fact, are built to any practical specification in sizes from 19 in. to 25 in., all normally for 27 in. wheels, and assembled with lugs from either British or Continental sources. The frames are classified or titled, of course, according to their lug work. Reynolds 531 butted tubing is used in all frames, every one of which is shot-blasted irrespective of the type of finish. Finishes – flamboyants, lustres, polychromatics, chromium – are almost limitless in colours; consequently, no ” shade card” has been compiled and each Pennine rider makes his own choice.”
“Of the half-dozen frame sets, next in price to the all-Campagnolo-equipped Scelta de Campioni is the Italia at 18 guineas. It is designed with time trialing in mind and has one main variation from the other frames: its seat stays are nickel-bronze welded direct to the rear of the seat lug. At the last York Rally, one- of these frames was displayed, fitted with a Campagnolo 5-speed, T.A. cotteriess chainset, alloy handlebars and stem, 7oz. rims and 6oz. tubulars, saddle, brakes and bell; it turned the scales at 19 lb.”
“The Grand Primo frame set – an original Geoff Wood design – costs Ll6 19s. 6d. It incorporates Nervex Professional lugs and Campagnolo dropouts. As with its more expensive ” relatives,” angles and so on are to the rider’s own requirements.”
“The Re della Corsa was launched at the end of 1959 and has steadily gained in popularity. It is built throughout of Reynolds 531 butted tubing, incorporating Italian style plain short lugs and Campagnolo fork ends. Angles are 72′ head, 73′ seat, with a short top tube (211/2 in. on 22 in. frame) and Italian type short rake front forks. T.D. Cross Italia head and bottom bracket fittings are included, and an alloy seat pillar. At Ll4 10s. the Re della Corsa frame is the foundation of the complete machine of that name.”
“Equipment and accessories of the Re della Corsa, which sells at L39 15s. 9d., include a Milremo 5-pin double-ring chainset, Lyotard platform pedals, Brampton chain, Campagnolo 10-sp” gear with down tube controls, Dunlop 27in. x 1 1/4 in. H.P. rims, tyres and tubes, 15/17 gauge double butted spokes and Milremo Racelite hubs, Phillipe handlebars and extension, Mafac Racer brakes, Nitor saddle and Bluemels Club Special mudguards. Bottom bracket height on the Redelia Corsa is 101in. Whitaker and Mapplebeck recommend a blue or red finish, with the Italian green/white/red seat tube bands and lined lugs.”
“The Richmond frame has the more commonly used 72′ parallel angles,.and the Reynolds 531 butted tubing is linked: with elaborately cut Prugnat lugs. Drop-outs and brazed-on fittings are to choice. With Benelux or Agrati plain fork ends the Richmond frame set costs L13 15s., but Campagnolo ends are 15s. extra.”
Angles of the Nidderdale frame are according to the rider’s own specification. Again, Reynolds 531 butted tubing is used with British Legere lugs and a choice of fork ends, Benelux or Simplex gear, or Agrati plain with all the usual brazed-on items. The cost of this frame is unusually low at L13 5s.”
“The other complete machine, the Marilyn, so called because it strips well, is based on a 72′ parallel angled Marilyn frame (which is not sold separately) in 20 in. – 25 in. frame sizes. Transmission on the L26 1.9s. 6d. model includes the Benelux 5-speed, Brampton pedals and chain, Dunlop 27in. x 1 1/4 in. H.P. rims, tyres and tubes. Among the equipment is the G.B. alloy handlebar and extension set, G.B. Mk. III brakes and ldeale perforated saddle. With a Benelux 10-speed the, Marilyn costs L2 11d. extra; Mafac brakes and a Campagnolo 5-speed put the price up to L29 16s. 10d.”
“The output of Pennine cycles is limited to a few hundreds a year. No catalogue is produced as Whitaker and Mapplebeck find that designs and specifications change too rapidly.”