Letter From the Editor
23 July 2024
I am often asked two questions: what kit would be appropriate for a vintage Hetchins, and whether newer kit is acceptable on a vintage bike. Regarding the first question, please refer to the following page, which has been extensively updated: click here.
Regarding the second question, upgrading to more modern components: my answer is that it depends on several factors. First, whether one has acquired a vintage frame with a fair amount of period correct components extant, or a bare frame with possibly only a headclip. Secondly, how many other vintage bicycles one has in the stable. And thirdly, where, how, and how often one intends to ride.
Assuming one has acquired a frame with a fair amount of original components still with it, it makes sense to retain the components, get them cleaned up, polished or re-chromed, and continue to use them. It is easier to clean up and re-chrome extant parts than to source parts in possibly even worse condition.
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However, if one has acquired a bare frame, there are three viable options, as follows.
If one has several vintage bicycles in the stable, then one has the luxury of restoring one of them to original condition, and upgrading a second one with modern components, such as dual pivot brakes and indexed gears. There is no doubt that modern components are not only easier to ride, but safer in modern traffic conditions.
Where, how, and how often, one intends to ride also bears on whether one is prepared to spare no expense to get period-correct components, or upgrade to modern components. For example, if one intends to use a vintage frame as a daily rider, then I recommend upgrading to modern components, which may mean having the frame modified to widen the dropout width and braze/ons for cable guides, mechs and gear levers and so on.
On the other hand, if one intends to trundle the bike out only occasionally for special tours and events, such as L'Eroica, where original components are mandatory, then one should go for restoration to original condition. However, at some events, the matter is viewed less stringently. For the Hetchins event, no one looks askance at a bike with mixed-vintage components, or an old Hetchins with modern components.
My gut feeling is that Hyman, Alf, and Jack would have been chuffed to know that their handiwork is still on the road in the next millennium and still appreciated, whatever components are mounted. Below: a 1940 Brilliant with original Chater Lea headclip, otherwise fully modernized.
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Between the two poles of original condition and upgraded to modern components, there is a middle way. For a great many cyclists, and I count myself among them, we didn't have enough disposable cash to buy our dream bikes at age 16. We had some sort of a no-name 10 speed bike to start off with. It might have been given to us at Christmas by our parents and did not cost an arm and a leg, it had a kick stand and weighed the far side of 15 kgs. As I worked summer jobs and saved pennies, I was able to upgrade a few components, one season at a time : I traded in the steel brakes for Mafacs, the steel and plastic Simplex derailleur for a Campag NR, and one day I traded in my steel hubs with steel rims and balloon tires for all aluminum hubs (Normandy) and all aluminum rims with narrow high-pressure tires. I still remember to this day how light and agile that first racing bicycle felt when I upgraded to aluminum wheels with high-pressure tires. Then one day, in my 20s, after having landed my first full-time job and worked for eight months, I had saved enough money to buy a decent frame, my first Hetchins, to which the best components were transferred from the old junker bike, plus new components as I became able to afford them in subsequent years. And so the bike grew over a period of time to carry mixed components, as and when I became able to afford them; this was the reality for a great many cyclists of my generation, and therefore I see no reason to disparage a vintage bicycle which is put into exactly that condition now, with a mixture of components spanning several decades and groupsets. Ride it with pleasure, and remember that we cannot all win ribbons at vintage events.
Below: the Editor's first Hetchins, from 1972. After 20 years of hard use, the paint was chipped and the moving parts were showing signs of wear. It was stripped and sent to Hetchins in England for a respray (saving original chrome). The original NR mechs, brakes, cranks, pedals, and headset bearing were replaced by then-new SR components and TA cranks and pedals. It retains its original NR seat post, Ideale saddle, Phil hi-flange hubs, and handle bar. Then in 2024 the hubs were re-spoked with modern 622 rims to take new tires. Not a static statue in a museum; this one is actually ridden, with pleasure and mixed components--a frequent participant at retro-events.
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Letter From the Editor
4 July 2024
Hetchins were well-represented at events recently. Argos Racing Cycles of Bristol celebrated their 50th anniversary, showcasing their work as frame builders and renovators of vintage marques. I'll give you one guess which marque was the crowd favorite ...
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Click here for the Gallery feature on the bike.
Below: a 1972 special order in original condition won first prize, best in class at a vintage show. Click here for the Gallery feature on the bike.
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A group of four Hetchins riders took part in the VeloWino vintage cycling event at Weinheim Germany, suitably attired.
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The bikes are featured at the Gallery:
Click here for 1972 Italia (top photo far left).
Click here for 1958 Experto (2d from left).
Click here for the Lavender Lady.
Click here for the black MO iii (immediately above).
The Editor would like to remind riders that the season is not over: Sept. 8th, the 32d (!) annual Hetchins event will take place on the Somerset Levels; kindly let us know if you plan to attend.
Events: 2024 Hetchins/Hobbs event.
email:
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