Witcomb Cycles
Encyclopedia
Witcomb Cycles, formerly known as Witcomb Lightweight Cycles, is the trading name of the Witcomb Trading Company. It was a British
company based in Deptford
, south London
specialising in custom handmade steel bicycle frames. The company was founded in 1949 by Ernie Witcomb and his wife Lily. The London shop closed in May 2009. It was one of the last custom framebuilders in London, leaving Roberts Cycles
in Croydon
the only framebuilder in London, and according to Witcomb Cycles one of probably about 15 framebuilders still working today in the UK.
Witcomb's father,Tom, a steel worker in local dockyards, started to build frames in 1928 in his east London cellar. In 1951 Ernie bought E.A. Boult, where he had been working since before the war, and by 1952 started trading as Witcomb Lightweight Cycles with Wally Green as frame-builder.
Barrie Witcomb, Ernie Witcomb's son, started his apprenticeship as a frame-builder in 1958 at 15, under Malcolm Barker, a former builder at J.R.J. Cycles in Leeds
.
In 1959, Witcomb Cycles bought Rotrax Cycles Building.
In 1961, Witcomb co-founded the Lightweight Cycle Association, one of cycling's first trade-focused organisations.
In the 1960s Witcomb Trading also made frames for Sid Mottram, Rotrax, Velosport and others. More recently they have made frames for the fashion brand Carhartt
and Reynolds
steel.
Richard Sachs
, Peter Weigle, Chris Chance and Ben Serotta, four American frame-builders, trained at Witcomb Cycles in the early 1970s.
The 1980s and the fashion for mountain bikes put a strain on the business which went into decline. In 1998, Ernie Witcomb retired. The company seems to be dormant since 2009.
From its beginning until 2009 the company's HQ was located in London, starting in Woolwich, then later moving to Tanners Hill in Deptford. After moves from one building to another, the workshop stayed at 25 Tanners Hill, a late 17th century Grade II listed building for many years. During the late 1960s until the early 1980s the company also operated a factory in Llanelli
, Carmarthernshire, Wales. The London site was closed in May 2009 and the business announced an intention to move production to Wales. This does not appear to have materialised.
. The next year, Witcomb, while exhibiting in San Francisco, received HRH Princess Alexandra
and her husband, Sir Angus Ogilvy
. This marked a short-lived foray on the US market. Witcomb USA was founded in 1972 in East Haddam, CT.
by Richard Sachs
and Peter Weigle. Problems with suppliers meant the company could not fulfill demand and the venture was dismantled after a couple of years.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
company based in Deptford
Deptford
Deptford is a district of south London, England, located on the south bank of the River Thames. It is named after a ford of the River Ravensbourne, and from the mid 16th century to the late 19th was home to Deptford Dockyard, the first of the Royal Navy Dockyards.Deptford and the docks are...
, south London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
specialising in custom handmade steel bicycle frames. The company was founded in 1949 by Ernie Witcomb and his wife Lily. The London shop closed in May 2009. It was one of the last custom framebuilders in London, leaving Roberts Cycles
Roberts Cycles
Roberts Cycles is a bicycle manufacturer in Selhurst near Croydon, South London. It is the last custom framebuilder in London.Beginning soon after World War II, Charlie Roberts started as a frame-builder for Holdsworth, Claud Butler and Freddie Grubb....
in Croydon
Croydon
Croydon is a town in South London, England, located within the London Borough of Croydon to which it gives its name. It is situated south of Charing Cross...
the only framebuilder in London, and according to Witcomb Cycles one of probably about 15 framebuilders still working today in the UK.
History
Barrie Witcomb, Ernie Witcomb's son, started his apprenticeship as a frame-builder in 1958 at 15, under Malcolm Barker, a former builder at J.R.J. Cycles in Leeds
Leeds
Leeds is a city and metropolitan borough in West Yorkshire, England. In 2001 Leeds' main urban subdivision had a population of 443,247, while the entire city has a population of 798,800 , making it the 30th-most populous city in the European Union.Leeds is the cultural, financial and commercial...
.
In 1959, Witcomb Cycles bought Rotrax Cycles Building.
In 1961, Witcomb co-founded the Lightweight Cycle Association, one of cycling's first trade-focused organisations.
In the 1960s Witcomb Trading also made frames for Sid Mottram, Rotrax, Velosport and others. More recently they have made frames for the fashion brand Carhartt
Carhartt
Carhartt, Inc., is a U.S.-based clothing company founded in 1889. It is still a family-owned company, owned by the descendants of company founder Hamilton Carhartt, with its headquarters in Dearborn, Michigan.-Carhartt in the United States:...
and Reynolds
Reynolds Cycle Technology
Reynolds Cycle Technology is a manufacturer of tubing for bicycle frames and other bicycle components based in Birmingham, England established in 1898.-History:...
steel.
Richard Sachs
Richard Sachs
Richard Sachs is an American bicycle framebuilder based in Chester, Connecticut since 1975. He builds road racing and cyclo-cross bicycles. His lug and fitting designs are employed by the framebuilders...
, Peter Weigle, Chris Chance and Ben Serotta, four American frame-builders, trained at Witcomb Cycles in the early 1970s.
The 1980s and the fashion for mountain bikes put a strain on the business which went into decline. In 1998, Ernie Witcomb retired. The company seems to be dormant since 2009.
Location
Llanelli
Llanelli , the largest town in both the county of Carmarthenshire and the preserved county of Dyfed , Wales, sits on the Loughor estuary on the West Wales coast, approximately west-north-west of Swansea and south-east of the county town, Carmarthen. The town is famous for its proud rugby...
, Carmarthernshire, Wales. The London site was closed in May 2009 and the business announced an intention to move production to Wales. This does not appear to have materialised.
Witcomb USA
In 1971, the company represented the UK at a British Fair in New YorkNew York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
. The next year, Witcomb, while exhibiting in San Francisco, received HRH Princess Alexandra
Princess Alexandra, The Honourable Lady Ogilvy
Princess Alexandra, The Honourable Lady Ogilvy is the youngest granddaughter of King George V of the United Kingdom and Mary of Teck. She is the widow of Sir Angus Ogilvy...
and her husband, Sir Angus Ogilvy
Angus Ogilvy
Sir Angus James Bruce Ogilvy, was a British businessman best known as the husband of Princess Alexandra of Kent, a first cousin of Queen Elizabeth II....
. This marked a short-lived foray on the US market. Witcomb USA was founded in 1972 in East Haddam, CT.
Connecticut
Connecticut is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States. It is bordered by Rhode Island to the east, Massachusetts to the north, and the state of New York to the west and the south .Connecticut is named for the Connecticut River, the major U.S. river that approximately...
by Richard Sachs
Richard Sachs
Richard Sachs is an American bicycle framebuilder based in Chester, Connecticut since 1975. He builds road racing and cyclo-cross bicycles. His lug and fitting designs are employed by the framebuilders...
and Peter Weigle. Problems with suppliers meant the company could not fulfill demand and the venture was dismantled after a couple of years.
Racing Team
In the 1960s, Witcomb Cycles sponsored the London Coureurs and the Hadrian CC Riders, then the Witcomb Metro CRC, and the Witcomb Vulcan CRC. Witcomb organised races including Dover-London. At this time Barrie Witcomb started racing as an independent (semi-professional).External links
- Witcomb Cycles - Official website
- Official blog
- Handmade in London - Cycling.tv
- The Frame Game - Business Life, Lewisham Council, Feb/Mar 2006 (pdf file)
- Made to Measure - Lewisham Life, Jul 2007 (pdf file)