In 1948 Condor Cycles started building frames using one of three different lug sets designed by founder Monty Young, the No.1, No.2 and the Superb. Sixty-six years later the current Condor Classico is a direct descendent of these frames, celebrating tradition and heritage with a lug pattern based on the designs of the frames of the 1950 and 1960s.
As well as a lugged version we also produce a Classico Stainless with fillet brazed Columbus SLX tubing in homage to the steel racing bicycles we built for Bradley Wiggins and Anglia Sport of the 1990s.
In the 1980s and 1990s the arrival of tig welding meant there wasn't as much demand for lugs, which added weight to the frame. A more elaborate crafted technique of fillet brazing was used to join the tubes and keep the weight as low as possible. The frame is cooled after being welded and cleaned using water and a wire brush. Finally the brass is filed down by hand to achieve a smooth finish.
2014 sees the arrival of a new addition to Classico family, the Classico Stainless.
It is hard to deny the appeal of Columbus tubing. The crisp little white dove that adorns the tube is a sign of tradition and innovation. Columbus's history dates back to 1919 when Angelo Luigi Colombo set up shop producing steel tubing. They would realise by the 1930s that the tubing made in the right way was both light enough and strong enough to be used to make racing bicycle frames as well as the chassis for both Ferrari and Maserati. So, it was a natural choice for the new Classico Stainless frames.
The main triangle uses Columbus SLX tubing and a highly polished rear triangle built with Columbus XCr, this is the glittering jewel of Condor's range.
Both frames are complemented by a hand-brazed and polished stainless steel fork.
