Higgins Ultralite 'Plus Parfait' - 1956
Owned by: Peter Lowry
| Frame |
<23"
Higgins Ultralite lugged frame. Finish: Flam Viola with flam
red head tube and seat bands. 9" chrome front forks, seat
stays and chain stays. Gold and red box lining and
gold lug lining. Oval forks, mudguard eyes, pump pegs on seat
tube.
|
| Wheels | Campagnolo L/F Q/R hubs 32/40, 15/17 DB spokes. Weinman 27" rims |
| Chainset | TA Cyclotouriste 46/36 chainrings, Stronglight 49D cotterless cranks |
| Pedals | Chater Lea Sprint with GB clips and Binda straps |
| Gears | Campagnolo Gran Sport front mech. Campagnolo Gran Sport (1952 mod. extra) rear mech |
| Brakes | Gloria levers, Alp calipers |
| Stem/Bars | GB 531 4 ¼" steel stem with Reynolds 'Pelissier' bars |
| Headset | |
| Saddle | Brooks B.17 'Swallow.' Campagnolo seat pin |
| Extra details | The Ultralite
was bronze welded and could be built with lugs at an
extra cost and, I think I'm right in saying, this was named
the 'Plus Parfait.' I have several of the top makes from the 50's, Hetchins, Gillott, Ephgrave etc., and I don't why, but the Higgins rides better than any of them; could it be that Higgins was an engineer first and a cyclist second!? I sent the frame to Argos for restoration and I think they made a superb job following my instructions exactly. |
 Detail of Ultralite headlug and
fork crown with Campagnolo levers and Alp calipers
|
 1952 Campagnolo Gran Sport extra
|
 Early Campagnolo L/F Q/R hubs
with extra lightening holes in flanges
|