Velo City: Bicycle Culture and City Life

2015 Sydney Classic Bicycle Show

2015 Sydney Classic Bicycle Show

The 3rd edition of the Sydney Classic Bicycle Show occurred last Saturday, the 28th March 2015. After three years, it’s a given that it will be a hot and humid day in the bowl of the Canterbury Velodrome, but one that brings together the largest congregation of bicycle aficionados and the most varied collection of beautiful bikes to be found in New South Wales.

We have to be willing to blur the lines when we’re defining ‘classic’ here: there are plenty of classic bikes represented but expect to see modern steel bikes also. It is concerning that steel naturally denotes classic, it’s well known that today’s tubing is comparable to other materials. Let’s not split hairs though, enjoy some of the bikes on display:

A true classic by Clapton’s Les Ephgrave:
2015 Sydney Classic Bicycle Show
2015 Sydney Classic Bicycle Show

F. Moser:
2015 Sydney Classic Bicycle Show

Hand painted Olmo badge:
2015 Sydney Classic Bicycle Show

Motorola Merckx:
2015 Sydney Classic Bicycle Show

A modified ‘Diamond Back’ tandem BMX:
2015 Sydney Classic Bicycle Show

Vintage Redline race BMX:
2015 Sydney Classic Bicycle Show

Immaculate Robinson cruiser:
2015 Sydney Classic Bicycle Show
2015 Sydney Classic Bicycle Show

Luis’ Kuwuhara cruiser that he rescued from a dumpster and lovingly restored. That’s the factory chrome. It’s amazing what some people throw away:
2015 Sydney Classic Bicycle Show
2015 Sydney Classic Bicycle Show

Ben from Cicli Spirito had his porter on display, coloured in a long-lost Alfa Romeo paint code. Drop by Cicli Spirito in St Leonard’s to see more of this, and enjoy an espresso. Opening hours are on his Facebook page, and you can keep up with news on Ben’s Instagram feed:
2015 Sydney Classic Bicycle Show

There were a couple of older Llewellyns on the lawn, with Darrell’s characteristic frog emblem…
2015 Sydney Classic Bicycle Show
2015 Sydney Classic Bicycle Show

…and also a couple of lesser known frames. This frame has JP Special embossed into the seat stay junction, but it’s not a JPS tribute. Any ideas?
2015 Sydney Classic Bicycle Show

New South Welsh builder John Kitchen was represented:
2015 Sydney Classic Bicycle Show

As well as the Bundy brothers. There were bikes that bore both Peter’s and his father’s, Jim’s, names, including George’s exceptionally modern logotype:
2015 Sydney Classic Bicycle Show

Cecil Walker, a legendary Victorian name, represented the southern state:
2015 Sydney Classic Bicycle Show

But one of the most prominent names at the show must have been Geoff Scott. The veteran builder must also have been one of the brightest names there, with hi-viz paint schemes on his modern fillet brazed Clamont frames. Clamont is a brand well known on Sydney streets and after a long hiatus, Geoff is back and again taking orders:
2015 Sydney Classic Bicycle Show

Here’s one Geoff prepared earlier, Henri’s funny bike. You can see much better photography on the Lorday Flickr album:
2015 Sydney Classic Bicycle Show

Sutto’s track bike:
2015 Sydney Classic Bicycle Show
2015 Sydney Classic Bicycle Show
2015 Sydney Classic Bicycle Show

One of my favorite bikes from the show, a highly-visible Jim Bundy road bike:
2015 Sydney Classic Bicycle Show

The Sydney Classic Bicycle Show was again a marvellous day. Thank you to all the organisers for putting on such a well organised show. You can view the hi-res versions of these shots on the The Spoken flickr album. See you next year!
2015 Sydney Classic Bicycle Show