Pennine Italia - 1971

Frame purchased used from Whitaker and Mapplebeck in 1974. This was built “short” for time trialling but has just enough clearance for mudguards, and the Campagnolo short dropouts have mudguard eyes.  Johnny Mapplebeck advised me the frame had been built to a very specific customer order, but its original owner had then discovered girls and could no longer afford to race: he pointed out the forged fork crown which he personally regarded as a bit of a “trend,” marginally adding to the weight at a time when many riders were “drilling out”. The other atypical feature for this make is directly brazed seat stays (Pennine were usually wrap round). I took this bike with me as my racing machine to university. I transferred the Stronglight 49D Cranks/TA rings at that time from my 1970 Pennine, and I have managed exactly to replace the worn out Lyotard pedals – I still have the 1970’s shoes (and plates) to match. I have now restored the bike to near original with wheels built up from 1970’s period parts, using double butted stainless steel spokes in place of chrome.

I rode this bike until 1991 then lent it to my youngest brother who rode it occasionally for pleasure until I re-acquired it in 2011: the frame was reconditioned by Arthur Caygill Cycles of Richmond N Yorkshire in 2013, and a new Brooks “Swift” saddle was added. Parts used are 1960’s and 1970’s.

Note, the frame restoration included preserving the original chrome which has a few blemishes but is otherwise a tribute to the quality of manufacture. This frame was used mainly for time trialling in the 1970’s but thereafter for leisure.