A rare Hetchins bike made for racing that eschewed their classic curly stays and intricate lugs

A rare Hetchins track bike, notable for its departure from the brand’s signature curly stays and intricate lugwork, played a pivotal role in British cycling history when Alan Johnson rode it to victory in the 1967 National School Boy Sprint Championship. Painted in the distinctive red, white, and blue of Polytechnic Cycling Club, the bike reflects a unique chapter in Hetchins’ production, favouring a more conventional rear triangle likely designed to prioritise stiffness for track racing. This frame stands out among the many Hetchins crafted in their Tottenham workshop, which were typically celebrated for their ornate and curvaceous designs. The bike’s provenance is closely tied to the Marsh family, with Joe Marsh acquiring it for his son Dave, a former national champion and current owner of the Universal Cycle Centre in Rotherham. Dave, alongside his siblings Sally and Stephen, raced the bike through the 1960s to the 1980s, maintaining its presence on the velodrome for decades. The Universal Cycle Centre now houses an impressive collection of classic bicycles, including this meticulously restored Hetchins, which has been returned to its original period-correct paint scheme and had its fork tips and rear stays re-chromed. Constructed from Reynolds 531 tubing, the frame is complemented by narrow-bladed track forks and a Brooks Sprinter leather saddle mounted on a Campagnolo Record seat pillar, underscoring the bike’s blend of performance and classic craftsmanship. The finishing kit includes chromed steel Cinelli 14 handlebars, a Chater Lea three-pin chainset with a 48-tooth ring, and wheels built with drilled Fiamme rims and anodised Airlite hubs. This combination of components highlights the bike’s competitive pedigree and the attention to detail in its restoration. The departure from Hetchins’ typical design philosophy, with its straight rear stays, is likely a practical choice reflecting the demands of track racing, where frame stiffness takes precedence over the comfort offered by more compliant tubing. This rare example not only showcases a different facet of Hetchins’ frame-building expertise but also serves as a tangible link to the golden era of British track cycling. Its preservation and continued appreciation by enthusiasts like Dave Marsh ensure that this unique piece of cycling heritage remains celebrated within the classic bike community.