Spécial C.N.C. - 1947
Owned by: Bryan Clarke
| Frame |
Spécial C.N.C. - 1947; frame size
22½” CTT, top
tube 22¼”, 75 degs parallel, 41” Wheel
base, over sized top tube, made for Super Champion Professionel gears
(Osgear), Nivex ends. |
| Wheels |
Mavic sprints on FB hubs with Sova wingnuts |
| Chainset | Stronglight Competition type 55 with 49/46
Simplex rings |
| Pedals | Atom with Christophe Special toe clips |
| Gears | Super Champion Professionel, 8 speed 3/32” 16,18,20,22 with alloy detensioner and Nivex jockey wheel, Super Champion rod changer |
| Brakes | ALP/CLB levers, LAM Super Dural callipers |
| Stem/Bars | Titan, Kint - Maes bars |
| Saddle | Henri Gauthier |
| Extra details | VW bottle and
cage, Pelissier flint catchers, Zefal pump |
CNC were established just before WWII by the Fletcher family and were originally at 112 Boulevard de la Chapelle, Paris. They were greatly favoured by the League riders (see Bernard Howard’s reminiscences). This bike was originally owned by East London RC rider Sid Garrard who was their reserve rider for the 1945 Brighton to Glasgow race. The frame is unusual in having chunky stays as well as main tubes all differing in diameter. Despite the fearsome angles it is a real treat to ride.
Drive chain as listed above - braze-on boss for tension arm under bottom bracket gives longer arm in effect,
a feature favoured by many riders of the time
Just able to see the detensioner cable for tension arm
Detail of Nivex rear ends