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Updated
3.6.2021 |
Les Ephgrave
is considered one of the master craftsman of the
post war era.
Les (also known known as Lou to his closest friends), built his
last frame circa 1968. He worked for Harry Resch, then on to
Claud Butler's. He went on his own in 1948. His brother Norman
joined him.
When orders were low, they produced steel shop
fittings, shelving etc., which is where the trade-mark
'lollypops' and bars on the seat stay caps came from. These were
the waste/cut-outs from that shelving production.
Len Phipps, the well known lug cutter, learned from Lou
Ephgrave during the 1960s. Len would visit the Ephgrave frame
building shop in Clapton, London on his Saturday's off to watch
the 'master' at work. Len reports that Lou Ephgrave DID cut all
the Ephgrave frame set lugs himself.
Les died in 1969 of cancer. His brother eventually
emigrated to Australia and he died there in 1980.
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Reg Gunthorpe's 96 LE.
Original owner purchased from Les Ephgrave in 1949
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Mark Chowis's 1950s No. 1 track
bike in Hilary Stone
article in Cycling Plus, Jan. 2000 issue.
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Tom
Marshall's No. 365 E (It was his Dad's)
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No. 976
LE owned by Keith Cramphorn
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Frame set without "Lollipops"
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G.
Chottiner's top-of-the-line frame set
with model "No. 1" pattern lugs.
 
 
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Frameset at
auction on eBay.
 
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Oliver Manton's road/path #3360LE
(it is also stamped 128)
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Chris Colyer's
frame number 3420LE
"I bought the frame in
c. 1962 from Marsh Cycles in Blatchington Road,
Hove, East Sussex. The frame was new when I bought it but I am not aware of
how long it might have been in stock. The frame started out life as a
track frame and after approximately one year of track racing I decided
this wasn't for me and
I had the track ends replaced with Campagnolo ends." |
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Via Bike Shop
Ephgrave on display at 2006 Cirque du Cyclisme
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Frame set at
auction on eBay in Nov 2001.
 
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