I have a classic road racing bike, and would like some more information. Can anyone give me the background?

Question

The bike is a Falcon Shane Sutton Special road bike (red with the olympic falcon logo on the front.) Could anyone provide information about the bike? or why it was created?

Answer 1

Cool....another Falcon owner!  I have a cheaper sport model from the early 80's that I keep going.  That Olympic headbadge is cool, isn't it?   That's honestly one reason I wanted to keep this bike around.   About 4 or 5 years ago, Sheldon got me in touch via email with someone that was still involved with the Falcon legacy and had been around for awhile.  For the life of me I can't remember who it was, but he was a wealth of knowledge (even though he wasn't able to tell me anything about my frame from the serial number).   What I did gather about Falcon was that they were a full-line company that later on became known more for entry level pricing rather than their previous reputation of making high-end bicycles of the period.  I'm pretty sure my frame falls into that lower quality category although it's made with 531 tubing.  

I know this doesn't help much but I thought I'd pipe in.   Keep that bike rolling!   You can get decent 27" tires at Nashbar still.    :o)

Answer 2

I am not 100% certain, but I think Falcon, Holdsworth and Claud Butler were produced for a time by the long defunct Marlborough Cycle Co. at Darlaston in the West Midlands. I know they made quality bikes as well as cheaper models, I used to have a 753 racer of theirs and still have a 531 tourer made by them and badged " Hugh Porter" before its last respray.

Answer 3

Wow. You have one of the few true classics revealed on this forum! To those that think their bike is "vintage" or "classic", take note- this is what vintage AND classic are!

Eddy Merckx rode Falcon. They are easily in the same league as Colnago, Masi, and Cinelli and were built in Great Britain.

Here is some more info http://www.sheldonbrown.com/falcon.html

Wanna sell it?

Answer 4

I know the bike fairly well. I did a little research years ago and stumbled on a little info with the Sheldon Brown website posted above being the best resource. You are so lucky to have possession of one of those. Truly a marvel for all times. It makes the high end modern carbon bikes look generic. If anyone has an eye for detail, they'll appreciate this bike.