Infamous commentator David Duffield was also a record-breaking rider - this is the bike he did it all on
Duffer’s epic mile-muncher that weighs as much as two modern bikes combined
While David Duffield may have clowned around, intentionally or not, during his 40-year career as a broadcast commentator, his many record-breaking achievements as a cyclist in the 1950s, ’60s, and ’70s deserve to be taken more seriously.
True to form, Duffer’s weapon of choice was that most eccentric of cycles, the trike. Hurtling across fast-changing landscapes on his sturdy Higgins three-wheeler, Duffers successfully laid claim to multiple long-distance records, including a 1959 50-mile time of one hour, 57 minutes, and 4 seconds, a 1971 London to Cardiff time of 7 hours, 20 minutes, and 38 seconds and a 1960 End-to-End time of 2 days, 10 hours, 58 minutes and 29 seconds. All on a trike weighing 16.1kg/35.5lbs.
No brakes at the back meant racing trikes came with extra stopping power up-front
“It’s a hell of a machine, a real beast,” says current owner Richard Hoddinott of vintage specialists Velo Pages. “He raced for 17 years on this trike, from 1955 to 1971, achieving 11 RRA records on it, which is staggering.”
Numbered 9230, this mid-fifties Higgins is predominantly built from oversized Reynolds 531 tubing. Duffield was a tall lad, well over 6ft, which explains the immense 26-inch (centre to seat tube top) frame size. Gearing is courtesy of a five-speed 14-23t block at the rear, and 49/45t chainrings at the front.
The drive train on a tandem is a whole different kettle of fish
Both mechs are branded ‘Benelux’, from the once popular Cyclo Gear Company of Birmingham, with the front operated via a bar-end shifter. The Williams cranks and Constrictor Cobra pedals are steel, no doubt for strength, because Duffield knew how to put the hammer down.
Twin-front brakes are commonplace on trikes because there’s no rear brake, and the risk of going OTB is negligible. However, twin light mounts, one on each fork blade, are unusual – clearly specified by a man destined to ride epic distances through many a dark night.
