History
T
he Light Blue Bicycle company began its life way back in 1895, when John Albert Townsend produced hand built bicycles for wealthy members of Cambridge University. These custom made machines were produced in a converted dairy in Norfolk Street, Cambridge at a rate of around six per week. The Light Blue name was taken from the University colours, but in those days all the bicycles were painted black. John made his own Track bike with a special 100-tooth chainwheel to celebrate the turn of the century in 1900. He rode that bike until he died in 1942, and this original bike remains in the posession of the family to this day, By the time of the Great War, production had ceased as the men were called away. Following this, the larger cycle manufacturers began to produce more affordable models on a much greater scale and The Light Blue Bicycle was consigned to the back burner. However, subsequent generations of the Townsend family continued in the cycle trade, and became well established as independent cycle retailers in Cambridge, gaining a fine reputation for providing good, reliable service at a local level.
The Kings is the perfect “Sunday morning” steed: Lightweight, compliant, narrow diameter Reynolds 853 in a classic brazed lugged frame.
Supplied complete with comfortable triple butted 1” Cr-Mo curved blade forks with a tried and trusted ITA threaded headset.
Fast handling, slightly relaxed race bred geometry makes this frame a joy to guide down the fastest urban street or country road.
Also included is a retro style forged alloy Genetic quill stem giving easy height adjustability along with a Genetic Heritage polished single bolt micro adjust seat post.
Classic panel type graphics and ½ Chrome rear stays, with matching ½ chrome triple butted Cr-Mo forks. Complete with hand finished gold lug lines, this sleek retro frameset is a true work of modern bike art.
Brazed downtube shifter mounts offer the option of building a bike using true retro hardware, or fitting “stop covers” for use with modern brake/gear shifters.
Tubing: Reynolds 853 double butted main tubes. Double butted Cr-Mo stays. Rear Dropouts: 130mm spaced, forged vertical cowled stainless. Seat Post Diameter: 27.2mm . Seat Post Clamp: Integral classic keyed Cr-Mo. Headset: 1″ ITA. Bottom Bracket: 68mm English BB shell. Tyre Clearance: 700 x 28c max. Sizes: 53, 56 or 59cm. Colours: Dark Metallic Red or Dark Metallic Blue.
TT=Top Tube (tube itself centre to centre) HT = Head tube BBH = Height of BB vs wheel axles. CS = Chainstay length. Centre BB to rear axle. ST = Seat Tube length. HA = Heat Tube angle. Quoted allowing fork A to C of 365mm. STA = Seat Tube angle. Headtube type: 1″ ITA. BB: 68mm Threaded Euro type.
Boxed Set includes: Forks: 1″ ITA threaded type. Brazed triple butted CB6 Cr-Mo curved legs with cast sloping crown. Cast safety dropouts. Headset: Genetic Alloy – 1″ ITA. Quill Stem: Genetic Hyoid forged alloy with 26.00mm bar clamp. (53cm & 56cm: 80mm, 59cm: 100mm) Seat Post: Genetic 300 x 27.2mm 3D forged and polished. Seat Binder: Classic keyed Cr-Mo. Weight: Fork : 730g Frame : 1,970g (56cm size).
Why have we selected to use premium 853 Reynolds tubing? “Heritage” – is the quick answer: Birmingham-based Reynolds Technology Ltd (RTL) has a long history in the tube making industry. World renowned in the bicycle industry, with no fewer than 27 Tour de France champions crossing the finish line atop bicycles built with Reynolds tubing. Why would we want to use anyone else’s tubing ?
Reynolds 853 - What’s in a number ? SEAMLESS AIR-HARDENING HEAT-TREATED STEEL The benefits of air-hardening steels are particularly noticeable in the weld area where, unlike conventional steel alloys, strength can actually increase after cooling in air immediately after welding. 853 is heat-treated to give high strength and damage resistance, and the steel properties allow thin walls to be used, so that lower weight but fatigue-resistant structures can be made.