> Classic Lightweights UK Readers' Bikes

J A Holland - 1958

Owned by: John Crump

J.A Holland manufacture of Lighweight racing Bicycles, West Bromich,(The OTHER West Brom builder Major Nicholls is also from West Brom). Research from the National Cycle Archives at Warwick University shows a W. Holland as Secretary of the CTC West Brom Section. This W A Holland says, three children born, one was John Arthur Holland who took over business at 106 Old Meeting street and produced and sold bicycles around Birmingham untill 1969. Branded as" JA Holland"and "The Star"

J A Holland was a member of the Earlswood RP and Solihull CC, he did race in the early 50's. In 1953 a J Holland took first in the CoventryCC 37mile NCU Birmingham Junior Championships, this could have been a son of J A Holland?

Midland C&AC Club member John Bishop has two Hollands, that he purchased around the late 50s his track frame is 2583 one after mine he also has a road frame 2537. Below is a photograph of him racing his road frame 2537 in a Midland C&AC time trial.

I got my road frame from a CR member in the USA, it was black with yellow to red fade head and seat panels. John thinks that my frame was owned by one of the Hollands due to the CTC transfer on the seat tube. The seat tube has World Championship bands with Olympic rings over them. I had the frame refinished due to the poor condition with gold head and seat tube bands, it is quite stunning looking I think.

Frame	J A Holland road frame no. 2582. 1958; Super Champion Oscar Egg lugs model SC3, seat and top tubes 21½", chainstays 17", wheelbase 41½"
Wheels	Campag Gran Sport large flange hubs with the two rows of holes (up to 1958 mfg) and 27"alloy Italian rims. 5-speed freewheel 14/24
Chainset	Stronglight 49d chainset with TA 50/40 rings
Pedals	Alloy Lyotard quill pedals
Gears	Campag 'Matchbox' front and Gran Sport rear
Brakes	GB
Stem/Bars	GB stem with Dawes Concorde bars
Saddle	Brooks B17 Swallow on Campag seat post
Extra details	Lucas bell; REG bottle cages. The workmanship on the frame is first classand the bike rides very well. The transfer I had reproduced from photos as no one seems to have any.They are NOT perfect but very close.

The NOS Campag Gran Sport that I have on the Holland is very interesting, It does not have the bolt to stop it from winding up, PLUS the NOS Hanger has the notch cut lower to allow more travel, you can see from the photo that it is winding more chain that the early G/S this allows you to run a wider range of teeth on the chainrings and rear cogs I have a 14-24 freewheel with 50-40 chainwheels.