1964 Jensen Super Professional #64942 (’66-7 Catalogo 15 groupset)
By the mid ’60s British component makers had been swept aside by more inventive Italian and French companies. Campagnolo were at the technical forefront, the most desirable (rising star Merckx was a Campagnolo user) – and the most expensive. Brooks tried to protect their favoured position up the derrieres of the peloton with a ‘Campagnolo’ model. British frame makers still commanded the loyalty of the British club scene, still using Reynolds 531 tubing which by now was also widely used by continental makers. This bike epitomises that time.
So what is a Jensen doing on this website dedicated to the Carpenter marque? Bear with me while I explain the link……
In 1958 John Barclay, who had started racing with Frank Carpenter’s Festival RC, teamed up with Stan Etherden, Allin Cycles frame builder. They established Jensen Cycles which, like Carpenter’s traded until 1969/70. Joe Mummery and Dave Bonner were two stand-out Jensen riders “John helped me in 1961, a long time ago. He gave me two Jensen bikes, I broke comp record 25 on one.” – David Bonner comment on facebook 27/11/2018. (This was 1962, DB’s time was 54:28, riding for Old Portlians).
(David Bonner: That picture is not from the event. I was on a brand new Jensen that John Barclay had given me a few weeks before).
My Jensen Super Professional was my race bike in the late ’60s. It started as a classy but unbadged bare frame, hastily purchased second hand after wrecking my beloved Carpenter race bike in April ’68. Dave Bonner confirmed to me that Jensen sold unbadged frames to three outlets in Bristol for them to badge up and sell under their own names, this looks likely to have been one of those (but remaining unbadged).
I fitted the frame out with components salvaged from the broken Carpenter frame, hastily as I had a crit coming up at Hengrove Park, Whitchurch. As soon as finances allowed these components were replaced by Campagnolo, Cinelli and Universal parts, the old ones slung into an old Carradice saddlebag and cardboard boxes. That’s the way my Jensen stayed for the next 40 years or so of largely recreational use until a casual internet search put in touch with Terry Harradine who confirmed it was indeed a Jensen, just as I had been told, a ‘Super Professional’ model dated ’64. Terry put me in touch with Argos and the world of restoration, sold me a head badge and transfers on condition that I restore it and ride it in L’Eroica. Thanks Terry!
The serviceable parts rescued from that broken Carpenter were eventually dragged out of dusty saddlebags and boxes, then used in the restoration of Carpenter #4921.
Frame: 23inch frame, Reynolds 531, Nervex Professional lugs
Road Wheels: Campag Record l/f hubs, Mavic rims, 32/40.
Time Trial Wheels: Campag Record Hi-Lo rear, s/f front, Fiamme Ergal rims 28/28.
Transmission: Campagnolo NR groupset (151 bcd), 52-44T.
Campagnolo handlebar controls/ bar-end shifters.
Campagnolo NR pedals,
Regina block 14-26. (Originally 14-21)
Saddle: Brooks Campagnolo saddle (hard as hell); CampagNOLO seat pin (special clamps for narrow saddle rails)
Steering: Cinelli stem, bars
Brakes: Universal 61 centrepulls, Campagnolo levers
Frame restoration by Argos.
Originally used for road and circuit races, Bristol area.
Now used for most longer rides, e.g. London-Brighton, East Grinstead Triathlons, L’Eroica 2010, sportives, Tour of Cambridge Gran Fondo 2015 & 16,
Also Duo Normand 2-up TT 2016, occasional evening tens and hilly TTs.
