Hetchins Expertos

[AgilisMerlin]

snippet:

"The Experto Crede -- trust the expert -- lug design was introduced in 1950 as part of the "Latin Series". The Phase II replaced the Phase I in 1951 and was produced until the 1970s. The Phase I is very rare and only 3 or 4 are extant. See Rare Models.

The XC used cast lugs at first, and throughout its production. Pressed lugs were introduced later; they were first mentioned in the 1956 catalog, slightly cheaper.

In 1959 or 60, The Plus is first mentioned in the catalog. The Plus is distinguished by extra re-inforcing tangs on the fork crown, bottom bracket shell, and brake bridge. Only five Pluses are extant. Click here for Plus.

The XC Phase II was very popular and over 180 are known to have survived. Though not the most elaborate lug pattern, some collectors think it is one of the prettiest ever designed. "



http://www.hetchins.org/501xc-01.htm

http://www.hetchins.org/pix/ec2-01.jpg

http://www.hetchins.org/pix/ec2-04.jpg

http://www.hetchins.org/pix/ec2-12.jpg

http://www.hetchins.org/pix/questiontang-02.jpg

http://www.hetchins.org/pix/ec2-05.jpg

http://www.hetchins.org/pix/topeye-8.jpghttp://www.hetchins.org/pix/ec2-08.jpg

[AgilisMerlin]

snippet:

" The Plus was introduced in the 1960 catalog. It was designed as a racing machine, using Circuit of Britain geometry (72/73 angles) and Experto Crede lugs. What marks The Plus are the extra re-inforcements behind the bottom bracket shell, down the fork blades, and on the brake bridge. A Mafac bridge could also be ordered.
Ten are known to have survived."


the plus (http://www.hetchins.org/501plus.htm)

http://www.hetchins.org/pix/plus-01.jpg

http://www.hetchins.org/pix/plus-02.jpg

http://www.hetchins.org/pix/plus-03.jpg

http://www.hetchins.org/pix/plus-04.jpg

http://www.hetchins.org/pix/plus-05.jpg

[AgilisMerlin]

snippet:

"The most popular models, based on the evidence of the numbers which survive and are noted in the Hetchins Register, were the Magnum Opus, Magnum Bonum, Vade Mecum, and Experto Crede. Special orders were, of course, one-offs, and are excluded from the Rare Models section here.

Of the early racing models, only one Toni Merkens and three Trio models are listed in the Hetchins Registry."


the rare (http://www.hetchins.org/305.htm)

http://www.hetchins.org/pix/conno-01.jpg

http://www.hetchins.org/pix/conno-02.jpg

http://www.hetchins.org/pix/conno-03.jpg

http://www.hetchins.org/pix/vms-01.jpg

http://www.hetchins.org/pix/vms-02.jpg

http://www.hetchins.org/pix/trio-03.jpg

http://www.hetchins.org/pix/trio-01.jpg

http://www.hetchins.org/pix/93-mixte-03.jpg

[AgilisMerlin]

wandered into this backwards,

here ya go'

http://www.hetchins.org/101.htm

http://www.hetchins.org/pix/decal-01.jpghttp://www.hetchins.org/pix/copper1.jpg

[old iron rider]

Why is there no huge demand for this type of craftsmanship anymore? I simply love the way these bikes were made. How can one 'not' like them? One can only admire the few framebuilders who still practice this art.:banana::banana::banana:

[rodcad]

It's too expensive all the way around would be my guess. I love this type of craftsmanship myself but I know some think it is gaudy and like basic plain old lugs.

Many many people and manufacturers (think Merckx) regard bikes as simple tools to race or get the job done.

[cnighbor1]

Why is there no huge demand for this type of craftsmanship anymore? I simply love the way these bikes were made. How can one 'not' like them? One can only admire the few framebuilders who still practice this art.:banana::banana::banana:

what your like is just stamped pieces of metal brazed to tubing
not in my opinion an indication of craftsmanship or quality
Just eye wash Yes nice eyewash but just that eyewash
charles
Owner of a hetchins
Charles
PS Note I didn't say hetchins wasn't a quality bicycle

[old iron rider]

what your like is just stamped pieces of metal brazed to tubing
not in my opinion an indication of craftsmanship or quality
Just eye wash Yes nice eyewash but just that eyewash
charles
Owner of a hetchins
Charles
PS Note I didn't say hetchins wasn't a quality bicycle

And that is your Hetchins?

[tiretrax]

They made some of the most all-time beautiful bikes. Those lugs could make anyone give up carbon.

[Fishbike]

The new ones, which lack a little of the cache, are around $2,000 shipped to USA with custom geo and paint. I am in the process of builing my Magnum Opus. So the price is very reasonable IMHO. Mine is really quite beautiful and is a fun addition to the collection. I can't comment on the ride yet. The quality of the build is good, although the quality of the the paint (the detail work and the durability) is not quite on par with the best painters. Pictures to follow once I get the thing built.

[fishbolish]

have owned three ....
one made for me (circa 1986),. but in the typical Alph fashion ..he changed a couple of details on my frame ( oval blade fork instead of the round blades i wanted) & in a comical fashion... insisted to sell me a campy front derailleur with my frame...

a track bike, which was eventualy sold to a bike shop in the detroit area....

& a magnum opus which i still own now(built with masi gran criterium geometry) all campy c-record...the complete bike was a gift from an old friend who knew hetchins for many years( he flew for pan am many years back & was an avid cyclist)