Hurro Everyone,
Another of my strange queries.
I recently was the 'buy it now' winner for 85 pound sterling (about $120 - 130?) on an e-bay auction for a Dave Russell road bike.
I took a big risk on a very vague description and no pic (couldn't even extract the frame size from the vendor). When I collected the said velo it was just great and I was a bit pleased to say the least!
Virtually unmarked 531 frame with an 1982 build number and equipped with Cinelli bars and stem, Shimano 600 gruppo, Campag Record L/F on Fiamme sprints and Weinmann 500s. Best buy this year basically.
I was prepared to take the risk for sentimental reasons really because I knew Dave Russell reasonably well in the late 1970s when he had a outlet and workshop in Slough (just 1 mile from where I collected the bike last week!) and at that time loved his frames - but could never afford one. Dave did very clean, solid, unfancy work and built to the very highest standards, a fact I was reminded of when I collected my auction win. His was one of the preferred 'names' to ride in the Thames Valley at that time.
He also organised and ran the weekly Thursday evening Reading Track league - of which I was a competitor (of sluggardly performance!) and during the halcyon days of the UK Pro era - even sponsored a one-man Pro named Rhys Bateman.
I lost track of Dave later - but know that he moved to a much smaller outlet in nearby Twyford which closed down within the last 12 - 18 months or so. Thus I assume he retired. I can't find any references to Dave on the www - except an out of date address for the Twyford shop (now a ladies outfitters).
Anyone out there have any further info on Dave Russell and his whereabouts? Perhaps this might also be a good time to give him an entry on the CR web-site?
Ian Briggs - Luton (where it's cold and misty tonite) UK