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W. B. "Bill" Hurlow
was considered the "builder's builder." 
Now retired, Mr. Hurlow is still an active rider at age 77 (in 1999, Ed.)

Updated 5.24.2007

A friend and current riding companion, John Hunt tells us:

    "I think he knocks all other frame builders into a cocked hat! He's done so much & his memory is incredible. He remembers what weather conditions in a time trial were like in 1938 & who won it, what time & who was fifth. There isn't anybody on the frame building scene between say 1930 & 1970 that he doesn't know, either them or their work.
   He was innovative.... he invented the "fastback",  seat stays shot into the allen key housing. He started frame building at Condor & then him & Monty Young had some sort of bust-up. He built for Holdsworth & then in later years acted as a consultant for them. He was racing until 5 years ago!

    He's very particular & has thought just about everything out about conventional frames. He invented jigs that no-one else has ever thought about for quick accurate frame-building."

Hilary Stone adds, "He worked for some of the best known British builders including Grubb and
Claud Butler. His best known work was however done for Condors and Mal Rees."

Click on images to see full size version.

Lug work by "Bill" while heading up Condor's shop

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From 1962 Cycling Weekly article.


Fancy hand cut  lug work

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From 1970s Bike World magazine article.

The web master's early 1970s road bike with the ultimate in hand cut lugs!

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From that same article in an old Bike World magazine


This bike is on display in cycle s de ORO Bike Shop, Greensboro, NC

    Hurlow_red_1.jpg (100426 bytes)   Hurlow_red_2.jpg (118720 bytes)   Hurlow_red_3.jpg (138349 bytes)   Hurlow_red_4.jpg (63033 bytes)

    Hurlow_red_5.jpg (87975 bytes)    Hurlow_red_6.jpg (130111 bytes)    Hurlow_red_7.jpg (104796 bytes)   Hurlow_red_8.jpg (67333 bytes)   Hurlow_red_9.jpg (72234 bytes)


The web master's early 1970s lugless, full chrome bike.
(also on display in cycle s de ORO Bike Shop)


                   

  


Web master's touring bikes still being reassembled.


Click image to see gallery


The web master'  track bike
(also on display in cycle s de ORO Bike Shop)

                 

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Condor Cycles
with Bill as master builder

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