Framed for Success? The Wester Ross documentary video.

Adrian Demaid takes us through this documentary in which two different manufacturing methods for making bicycles are compared, one method from the 'Halfords' factory in Pontypool, catering for the mass market, and the other, handmade method, from Wester Ross Cycles in Scotland.

[@danielhertercasagrande1686]

As a young man I’ve made some frames with my mechanic friend Jürgen Gasser with Durifort and with Super Vitus 971 tubes The guy in the second part of the film is a real master of his art. Steel is still a good material for a frame especially when you are traveling a hick in a metal frame has less consequences than one in a ultra light weight carbon frame

[@2wheelsrbest327]

Just found this absolutely brilliant. I never knew Halfords made their own frames. And seeing Duffers as a young man was a delight. Still missing his imitiable commentary .Thanks for posting

[@adriandemaid408]

Amazed to see a reply 9 months ago. My Wester Ross was stolen from my garage in Emsworth. Years later I was contacted by someone who had bought it - he offered to return it. The OU unit I wrote predicted the large diameter aluminium frame. Thanks to those who published and enjoyed this. Makes me feel old! Adrian Demaid

[@martinwait391]

Really interesting vid, I got to know John back in the mid nineties when he used to frequent the garden Centre i worked at in Beverley, East Yorkshire. He offered to sell me the jig that’s in the vid and remaining tools he had, at the time i had a genuine interest in frame building! Unfortunately i declined the offer as i thought it could be passed onto someone more deserving! He was a really pleasant and interesting guy to know!

[@C345OFR]

Such a shame! The jig looked fantastic. Mind you, I probably would have said the same - the problem of course is that it might only take 2 or 3 people in a row thinking like that before John thought there was no interest in it at all. Hope it found a good home eventually...

[@michaellee1663]

A young Duffers. Awesome, loved the man. Classic piece

[@pompeymonkey3271]

I miss Duffers... ...Almost as much as he missed the action because he was recounting last night's slap-up meal! ;)

[@crowriver]

Very interesting, and nice to see all these bikes made in the UK too.

[@garyburchgb]

This film must have been made after 1979 as there was a mark 5 cortina in one part and they didn't come out until 1980.

[@gaspunkwars]

I have Margaret Berwicks tourer with full suite of racks and brazeons. Also by Fergus. I’m about to refurbish it for some touring.

[@Hertog_von_Berkshire]

I have a Wester Ross in my spare room right now. Not mine unfortunately. I'm looking after it for a friend. Never mind, maybe one will come my way one day.

[@robertp.wainman4094]

Always remember John and his daughter on their stand at the York Rally for many years.

[@soobeng]

Great video. Priceless.

[@deanstanley5799]

David duffield bless him was commentator on Eurosport fo Tour de France coverage now sadly gone rip David

[@bofustjohnson]

again Nic...much appreciated.

[@thepaingainer]

Thanks for video. Finally I know how to do it :D

[@donavan8616]

thanks for share!

[@brianallen9810]

I want to see the centerfolds that are on the walls.

[@schmidtzcargolbull]

Great video thanks

[@MNX58]

Furgus is the young man building the Wester Ross frames.

[@robertgraves3215]

awesome, thanks

[@scotiavelo1405]

God Bless David Duffield. Eurosport is duller without him

[@ccjelley2390]

I think the world is duller without people wearing 3-piece suits with pocket watch and chain. What a man.

[@deanstanley5799]

Adrian is on a Carlton professional

[@joshrforsyth]

This is a long shot...my uncle is Fergus in the video and John Connell is also in my family. I would love to somehow track down a frame/bike. If anyone could offer some advice it would be fantastic. We didn’t hold on to any really on my side

[@gavinsbailey]

I have two Wester Ross frame sets, both with bottom bracket stamped with FGF that indicate they were built by Fergus. One is a touring bike and one a racing bike. I’ve owned both since the early 1980’s. They’re not for sale but happy to send you pics if you share your email address. John sent me some spare transfers years ago for my tourer. Is he still around?

[@slowther8115]

Let me know if you are still after a bike as my uncle has one that he no longer needs

[@joshrforsyth]

@@gavinsbailey Hi Gavin, would love to discuss this. Do you have a contact that I would be able to use. Can’t figure out here how to reply privately, sorry.

[@joshrforsyth]

@@slowther8115 Hi, that would be great, so you have a way to contact you as I can’t figure out a private message here?

[@MNX58]

Rashid, dig it out and sell it to me ! I am after a new Wester Ross to look after, it will be at a good home!

[@Megadeth6633]

8 pounds to fabricate the whole bike? I know it was 1980 but am I missing something? That seems too cheap

[@paullinnitt5450]

As an apprentice i earned £29 a week in 1980. The £8 was only the cost of the metal, but I suppose that is the only way to make a profit on an £80 bike.

[@keithbenson4915]

I was gobsmacked

[@user-ho4rv6kg8u]

Plus the cost of the brass, copper, oxygen and acetylene. Then painting and stickers. And its still just a heavy plain gauge mild steel frame.

[@okantichrist]

Surprised the lugs didn’t melt through to Australia 😂

[@Iclimbthereforeiam]

Since when was Pontypool and Whitby in Scotland?? Wester Ross is, and no doubt there's a Scottish connection. Interesting film; leaves me wanting to know more....

[@charlieross6022]

SirLimpsalot it's in a little village called aultbea the factory was later the local butcher now that has closed

[@Merseysiderful]

What year is this please ?

[@nigelnightmare4160]

I believe it was 1980 going by the Halfords Olympic frames. I remember a school friend getting one for Christmas in 1980.

[@croesyllan]

Good that!

[@shanecyclesdotcom]

Great stuff, which year is this?

[@MNX58]

It's filmed in Scotland before the move to Yorkshire so I assume it is '80 - 81' maybe?

[@MNX58]

Was that a Wester Ross frame??

[@doritostheking]

Total cost £8. For a lugged steel frame. Fuck me.

[@unconventionalideas5683]

That would be closer to £160 in today’s money, if I have the dates right.

[@service_andrew]

My love 😍

[@houseofsolomon2440]

10:54 the real deal

[@trummy200]

Sorry the Wester Ross registry is no more

[@MNX58]

The Wester Ross registry is now back up and running!!

[@trummy200]

Yes, I did notice -great news Nic

[@EXELENTEDISCO]

IM DON'T ALLIVE THAT.....

[@robinpelletstovesuk9194]

so sad UK is an empty place devoid of making all these ownderful products and now its all about how rich those Chinese car. Bloody UK gov never have supported industry with REAL proper investment. Brexit was the great hope but the UK is broke...so it will get more poor now

[@user-ho4rv6kg8u]

Yes, apart from: Alex Moulton bikes, Argos Cycles, Arthur Caygill Cycles, Brompton, BTR Fabrications, Curtis Bikes, Demon Frameworks, Donhou, Ellis Briggs Cycles, Enigma Bikes, Feather Cycles, Field Cycles, Five Land Bikes, Geoff Roberts, Hallet Handbuilt Cycles, Hartley, Mercian Cycles, Quirk, Reilly Cycle Works , Rourke Cycles, Saffron, Shand Cycles, Swallow, Ted James Designs, Willow Bike, Woodrup Cycles, Wester Ross, etc etc etc And each with a youtube channel.

[@user-ho4rv6kg8u]

and Frog Bikes in Pontypool

[@croesyllan]

Good that!