{"title":"Hetchins","description":null,"products":[{"product_id":"u-f-r103v-55-5cm-hetchins-italia-c-1975-vintage-british-steel-road-bike-frame-set","title":"55.5cm Hetchins Italia c.1975 Vintage British Steel Road Bike Frame Set","description":"\u003ch4\u003e✓ Original vintage frame - built in the 1970s\u003cbr\u003e✓ Suitable for historic cycling events such as L'Eroica\u003cbr\u003e✓ Thoroughly checked over \u0026amp; photographed in detail\u003cbr\u003e✓ Worldwide shipping\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003ePerhaps one of the best-known of all British classic lightweight builders, Hetchins constructed their instantly recognised, elaborately lugged frames for over 60 years. Hyman Hetchins had a gramophone and cycle accessories shop in Tottenham in the 1920s, and by the 1930s, he was producing frames bearing the shop’s name. At this point, a partnership with one of his frame-builders, Jack Denny, was started, and a patent for vibrant rear stays was applied for. The curved shape of the rear stays was said to improve comfort on Britain’s rough roads; it also had the benefit of being easily distinguishable as a Hetchins-built frame, even from a distance. As well as the vibrant (or curly) rear end, Hetchins offered a huge range of frames, often with highly ornamental, heavily modified lugs, all with the option to further customise the final frame. The brand received further coverage with a successful export business into the burgeoning US market, where they are now highly collectible.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThough lacking the ornate lugs or shaped stays that other Hetchins sport, the Italia was a very finely made road frame designed to compete with the best Italian builders of the time. There were two versions of the Italia produced, with some made by a contractor in Italy from Columbus tubes, but the majority made in the Hetchins workshop from Reynolds 531. Built with shaped and filed Prugnat lugs and lightweight tubes, the frames normally featured the Italianate-style seat stay\/seat tube junction and a more continental-style fork crown rather than Hetchins' twin-plate design. Like all hand-built, custom-order frames coming out of the Hetchins workshop, though, anything was possible, and there are many small variations and special features even on this supposedly simple frame.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis mid-1970s model Italia was probably built just after the shop moved to Southend, though it still sports the Tottenham address on the decals. Though less showy than some of the intricately lugged frames that were coming out of the workshop at the time, this frame still features carefully cut Prugnat lugs and a fork crown. This is a made-in-the-UK Reynolds 531 version of the Italia, which we believe still has its original paint and decals. Likely designed as a winter or training bike, the frame set has mudguard braze-ons and rear brake routing designed for a centre-pull brake.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you're taking part in L'Eroica or a similar vintage event, this frame is of the correct age, so you won't be disqualified for being a rule breaker!\u003c\/p\u003e\nThe frame's been carefully checked by one of our mechanics to confirm the alignment's correct and there's no damage to the threads. If there are any minor issues worth noting we will do so in the overview section below. Please take a good look at the detailed photos so you can see the cosmetic condition of the frame before you buy.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #c6ab66;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOVERVIEW\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003chr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEra - \u003c\/strong\u003e1970s\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCountry - \u003c\/strong\u003eBritish\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrame Material - \u003c\/strong\u003eSteel\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTubing - \u003c\/strong\u003eReynolds 531\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWeight - \u003c\/strong\u003e2.75 kg\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eStock Code - \u003c\/strong\u003eU-F-R103V\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #c6ab66;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSIZING\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003chr\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSize Guide* - \u003c\/strong\u003eMedium (Approx 32 1\/2\" Inside Leg)\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSeat Tube (ctc) -  \u003c\/strong\u003e55.5 cm\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTop Tube (ctc) -  \u003c\/strong\u003e56 cm\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eHead Tube -  \u003c\/strong\u003e137 mm\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eChainstay Length -  \u003c\/strong\u003e42 cm\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWheelbase -  \u003c\/strong\u003e99.5 cm\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e*This is just a guide, not a guarantee the frame will fit as every rider is different. If you're unsure of your size we'd always recommend trying out a bike with similar frame dimensions first.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #c6ab66;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTECHNICAL INFO\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003chr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRear Spacing -  \u003c\/strong\u003e121 mm\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFront Spacing -  \u003c\/strong\u003e100 mm\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSeatpost Diameter -  \u003c\/strong\u003e27.2 mm\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWheel Size -  \u003c\/strong\u003e700c\/28\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBrake Fixing -  \u003c\/strong\u003eExternal Hex Nut\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFront Brake Drop -  \u003c\/strong\u003e56 mm\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRear Brake Drop -  \u003c\/strong\u003e49 mm\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBottom Bracket Thread -  \u003c\/strong\u003eEnglish\/British\/ISO Thread\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHeadset Thread -  \u003c\/strong\u003eStandard ISO (24 TPI - British\/Italian)\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHeadset Stack Height -  \u003c\/strong\u003e32 mm\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFork Crown Race -  \u003c\/strong\u003e26.5 mm\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eShifter Fittings -  \u003c\/strong\u003eDowntube Band-On\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHeadtube Internal Diameter -  \u003c\/strong\u003e30.2 mm\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSteerer Internal Diameter -  \u003c\/strong\u003e22.2 mm (Standard)\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdl class=\"accordion cc-accordion\"\u003e\n\u003cdd\u003e\u003c\/dd\u003e\n\u003cdt\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"#\"\u003e\u003csmall class=\"right\"\u003e▼\u003c\/small\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSHIPPING, TAXES \u0026amp; RETURNS\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003chr\u003e\n\u003c\/dt\u003e\n\u003cdd\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe've been safely sending orders around the world since 2010. There's a handy shipping calculator on the shopping cart page so you can see the cost of postage as soon as you've added it to your basket. Your order will be carefully packed and sent with tracking \u0026amp; insurance, we despatch most orders within 2-3 days but larger items and orders placed before the weekend can take an extra day or two to process.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe accept returns, please notify us within 14 days and ensure the item arrives back with us no later than 30 days after the order was received.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEU Customers –\u003c\/strong\u003e for orders under €150 (excluding shipping), VAT will be collected at checkout – no extra import fees to pay on delivery! For orders over €150 any import fees will be payable to the carrier before delivery.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eUSA Customers –\u003c\/strong\u003e import fees are now collected at checkout for all orders to the US, so there won’t be any surprise charges when your order arrives.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOther International Customers –\u003c\/strong\u003e local import fees may still apply, charged by your customs office or courier before delivery. These are not collected by us, so please check your local rates before purchasing.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAny applicable fees will appear at checkout.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/dd\u003e\n\u003cdt\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"#\"\u003e\u003csmall class=\"right\"\u003e▼\u003c\/small\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHELP SECTION\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003chr\u003e\n\u003c\/dt\u003e\n\u003cdd\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSeat Tube (ctc) - \u003c\/strong\u003ewe measure from the centre of the bottom bracket shell up to the centre line of the top tube to give a consistent measurement regardless of frame design (ctc means centre to centre).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTop Tube (ctc) - \u003c\/strong\u003ethis is measured from the centre of the head tube to the centre of the seat tube, along the centre of the top tube.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eChainstay Length - \u003c\/strong\u003emeasured from the centre of the bottom bracket shell to the centre point of the rear dropout.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWheelbase - \u003c\/strong\u003emeasured from the centre of the front fork dropout to the centre point of the rear dropout.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFront \u0026amp; Rear Spacing - \u003c\/strong\u003emeasured from the inside of one dropout to the other. The dropouts on steel frames can be stretched or squeezed a few mm but it's always best to avoid this if possible, aluminium or carbon frames should never be stretched.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBrake Drop - \u003c\/strong\u003emeasured using wheels of the relevant size for the frame, as stated in the technical info section.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHeadset Threads - \u003c\/strong\u003ealthough it's generally recommended to match threaded parts exactly, with headsets you can technically mix and match, unless you have French or the obscure old Raleigh threads, in which case you need to stick to that type.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/dd\u003e\n\u003c\/dl\u003e","brand":"Hetchins","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54970932691325,"sku":"U-F-R103V","price":535.5,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0105\/7312\/files\/U-F-R103V-55.5cm-Hetchins-Italia-c.1975-Vintage-British-Steel-Road-Bike-Frame-Set1_b54e1375-32cb-4485-98bb-e4075e551bb9.jpg?v=1734039790"}],"url":"https:\/\/www.pedalpedlar.co.uk\/collections\/hetchins\/pre-1987.oembed","provider":"Pedal Pedlar","version":"1.0","type":"link"}