Letter from the Editor
8 February 2026
A correspondent to this web site sent in the above screenshot from a well-known online auction. It shows a Colnago Master with Hellenic stays. The Hellenic design is nothing to do with Alexander The Great. It is named after Fred Hellens, who first popularized the design in the 1920s. The idea is to build the triangle equilaterally. Of course, this can be achieved with fastback stays as well, which anchor on the seat tube and stop there. Whereas, the Hellenic design passes the seat stays across the seat tube and anchors them under the top tube, offering extra stability. One notes the seller's asking price.
Alf Hetchin offered Hellenics from 1967 onwards, but they did not sell well; orthodox and vibrant stays far outsold Hellenics. Below is a Hellenic made during Alf's tenure. The lug pattern is MO ii.
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New Hellenics can be ordered from David Miller. Below are photos from the Hetchins workshop (courtesy of the frame builder, Paul Riley). This one features Hellenic seat stays mated with Hetchin's classic curved chain stays. The lug pattern is based on the Anniversary and Millennium Editions, with extra fancy bb shell ornaments plus an ornament extending up from the seat lug.
Note that on a proper Hellenic, the seat stays run parallel to the down tube. Curved Hellenic seat stays would not work; either they would not run parallel to the down tube, or, if they did, they would anchor half-way along the top tube. The frame is fitted with a Stronglight A9 head set bearing (love the slim look, and the needle bearings!).
One final note: for the asking price of the Colnago, pictured above, you can get three Hetchins Hellenics, similar to the one below, or FOUR if you order less chrome.
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And now for something completely different. A little over a year ago, this Editor received an email from someone who had recently acquired a large number of classic and vintage bicycles and frames from the estate of a deceased collector. Several Hetchins were among the haul, and my correspondent requested identification and confirmation of authenticity. He sent me photos of the various bikes/frames in question, and I could see in the background several rather interesting bikes/frames. So, naturally, I inquired about some of the others as well. Well, one thing led to another, and, having studied the Hetchins ledgers for the period in question (1950s), the new curator and I soon came to the conclusion that the former collector had not been too particular about provenance. More than one of the 'Hetchins' turned out to be replicas, and one of the Hetchins had been listed by Len Ingram (former curator of The Hetchins Register) as stolen.
In the photo below, you can see the genuine Hetch in the foreground, with two other unknown frames visible in the background.
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I contacted the last-known owner, whose contact details had been taken down by Len and entered into The Hetchins Register, informing him that the frame had turned up and inquiring whether he was still interested in it. I got an immediate reply back, that the rightful owner was indeed very interested in having his frame returned, and that after such a long time--it had been stolen 40 years previously--he had long since given up all hope of ever seeing it again. I put the two in contact with each other, hoping that they would reach an amicable arrangement for transfer of the frame.
To make a long story short, the current possessor was amenable to returning the frame to its rightful owner (being a decent chap), and they arranged a personal handover (the rightful owner was taking no chances on it getting lost in the post!)--see photo below.
In the intervening year, the frame has been kitted out by Ashley Taylor from Bike Barn near Towcester--see farther below. Happy end!
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Wherefore, allow me to remind readers that entering your bike(s) into The Register is free, confidential, and might just lead to a happy end someday. To enter a bike or frame into The Register, contact this Editor.
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