curly stay Hetchins

[bicycletricycle]

i really like this-

http://i975.photobucket.com/albums/ae236/bicycletricycle/hetchinsfront.jpg
http://i975.photobucket.com/albums/ae236/bicycletricycle/hetchinsback.jpg

beautiful restoration, super nice colors scheme, chrome, sharp pin striping. This thing is a heart stopper. I have a little bit of a soft spot for over the top, Jack Taylors, Colnago art deco, columbine, bohemian etc..

sometimes these sort of bikes can be epic fails (IMHO) but this Hetchins is perfection for me

Any one want to share some pics of their favorite fancy bike?

[thinpin]

Hard to top that. Exquisite paint. But let me see.....wilier

[alancw3]

hetchins lovers website:

http://www.hetchins.org/100.htm

[thinpin]

This is what I really drool over. Coppery goodness. I would have one of these in a heart beat.
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_atrK-jBKJKY/Sn7F8Rnt1gI/AAAAAAAAIeM/LWHggZhcVvk/s1600-h/Wilier_full.jpg

[bicycletricycle]

that copper is nice. I have seen that kind of tinted clear over chrome finish in a few other colors, it is always beautiful.

[dbh]

It's a shame that WIlier doesn't subcontract for a few brazed frames a la Cinelli. Would imagine there's demand for those beautiful copper finishes.

[fiamme red]

That Hetchins looks great. Everything works together aesthetically really well.

This "Hetchins-tribute" Bilenky, on the other hand, just doesn't look right to me:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2189/2011770058_1375c081ed_b.jpg

[Aaron O]

Based on shere , over the top beauty, it's hard to improve on a curly hetchins. The lugs, the stays...niceeeeeeeee.

[retrogrouchy]

That Hetchins looks great. Everything works together aesthetically really well.

This "Hetchins-tribute" Bilenky, on the other hand, just doesn't look right to me:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2189/2011770058_1375c081ed_b.jpg

Too many curves, imo. If it just had the curved rear stays, and not the curved ST and DT, nor the funky seat stay attachment method, it would work a lot better, I think. Plus, those rims (on that frame) look way funky, and the frame appears to be about four sizes too small for the rider, unless that seatpost height is just that way for show, and done in order to not scratch the post. :cool:

[jvp]

Or maybe that's as far as the post would go in.

[brockd15]

I like the Bilenky, but I think a silver, classic looking wheelset would help it.

[retrogrouchy]

Or maybe that's as far as the post would go in.

That's possible, if it is a 300 mm one (for example).

[firerescuefin]

I like the Bilenky, but I think a silver, classic looking wheelset would help it.

+1...wheels are tacky

[fiamme red]

I love the chrome on the Hetchins. The contrasting paint on the fork, seatstays and chainstays of the Bilenky just isn't the same.

[palincss]

That Hetchins looks great. Everything works together aesthetically really well.

This "Hetchins-tribute" Bilenky, on the other hand, just doesn't look right to me:



It probably looked better before the crash that bent the seat tube and the top tube.
:confused:

[fiamme red]

Here is some good criticism of the Bilenky "tribute":

http://www.hetchins.org/bogus-05.htm

"...If Bilenky meant this as a tribute to Hetchins, it falls short of the marque. They have juxtaposed unrelated elements and the result is a farrago which Hetchins would never have produced, certainly not together on one frame. The design is further marred by inaccuracies and errors of detail. While some Hetchins were fancier than this, Hetchins were always unified by a coherent concept, both aesthetically and functionally. In the opinion of this Editor, the Bilenky frame is no tribute to Hetchins, but an incoherent jumble. If you mix five different wines, you don't get one great wine. (No aspersions are cast upon the workmanship; only upon the design concept.)"

[bicycletricycle]

i guess it is okay to gang up on Bilenky here. I also think that this bilenky is an example of a fancy bike that just doesn't work. a proper seat height, better looking stem post, low pro silver wheels might do a lot for it.

I would love to see a build on the hetchins above.

[witcombusa]

A friends '49 Hetch

[bicycletricycle]

like this hetchins a lot.

[brockd15]

That's a beaut. Hope the saddle doesn't sag much. :eek:

[alancw3]

A friends '49 Hetch


like the torch bracket on the fork stay. so typical of english bikes of that era. bike is a real beauty!!

[bicycletricycle]

http://i975.photobucket.com/albums/ae236/bicycletricycle/Screenshot2011-07-22at34753PM.png
http://i975.photobucket.com/albums/ae236/bicycletricycle/Wages953Road17web.jpg
http://i975.photobucket.com/albums/ae236/bicycletricycle/vanilla_headtube_lugs.jpg
http://i975.photobucket.com/albums/ae236/bicycletricycle/SHOT-040.jpg
http://i975.photobucket.com/albums/ae236/bicycletricycle/Screenshot2011-07-22at34628PM.png
http://i975.photobucket.com/albums/ae236/bicycletricycle/MoonCyclesimage10b-1.jpg

[sharkboyrob]

That Hetchins looks great. Everything works together aesthetically really well.

This "Hetchins-tribute" Bilenky, on the other hand, just doesn't look right to me
Agreed, the Bilenky is trying too hard to be the love child of a Hetchins and a Colnago equilateral.

[Rueda Tropical]

Do those curved stays work? Is there added suspension over a traditional straight stayed rear triangle?

[fiamme red]

i guess it is okay to gang up on Bilenky here. I also think that this bilenky is an example of a fancy bike that just doesn't work.I do give Bilenky credit for the amazing craftsmanship on this frame. I'll bet it took a lot longer to build than any Hetchins ever made.

The frame and fork recently sold on eBay for $4,050. :cool:

http://cgi.ebay.com/CUSTOM-BILENKY-TRACK-FIXED-GEAR-FRAME-w-HETCHINS-LUGS-/290562217130?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item43a6db94aa#ht_1312wt_1109

"The other crazy thing is how the frame has essentially every frame quirk you can think of. Curly stays, curly ST, Slightly sloping DT, GT rear triangle, super sick lugs - AKA THE WORKS!!"

[witcombusa]

Do those curved stays work? Is there added suspension over a traditional straight stayed rear triangle?

Absolutely not. But they did seperate this makers from others visually in a hard fought market....instant brand recognition.

[victoryfactory]

Do those curved stays work? Is there added suspension over a traditional straight stayed rear triangle?

ask Dave Kirk.

[William]

Maybe it's just me, but real head badges always seem to add a bit of refined flair to a frame.




William

[Aaron O]

Maybe it's just me, but real head badges always seem to add a bit of refined flair to a frame.




William

It's not just you, I wish more of my bikes had them.

One thing I really love are the engraved headbadges...like what Grandis did.

[witcombusa]

It's not just you, I wish more of my bikes had them.

One thing I really love are the engraved headbadges...like what Grandis did.


Yep

[retrogrouchy]

Do those curved stays work? Is there added suspension over a traditional straight stayed rear triangle?

Nope, just frippery, but they sure look cool....

[Aaron O]

Yep

SPECTACULAR! I'm personally of the opinion that Grandis far exceeds most of the better known Italians.