A brief history of Cleland Cycles

Introduction

In The early 1970's, not far from the town of Wendover, Buckinghamshire, England, designer and cycling enthusiast Geoff Apps, began developing an off-road bicycle - something which had not been heard of before. It eventually became a machine uniquely suited to the off-road conditions found in the south-east of England - in particular the terrain of the Chiltern Hills.

Coincidentally, Geoff was working on his designs at the same time as Gary Fisher, Charlie Kelly, Tom Richey et al, were developing mountain bikes in Fairfax, California. Just as mountain bikes were suited to the local dry, open conditions, so Geoff's designs differed to cope with the Chilterns. These hills are chalk, extensively covered with mature beech and oak woodland. The valleys are narrow and filled with clay, and tracks are tight, winding, steep and muddy. This mud, whether chalk, clay, or a mixture of both, can often have the consistency of deep half-set concrete, combined with finest axle grease. These factors led to the creation of this singular bike.

The bike

The design incorporates many unusual features:

• A relatively high centre of gravity, achieved through a 13 inch (33 cm) high bottom bracket, ideal for clearing the numerous fallen trees and branches that litter these tracks and paths
• The very upright riding position, that is both relaxed and commanding, gentle on the wrists and perfect for balancing at low speed
• Drum brakes (disc brakes were not then available), to provide reliable braking in even the gloopiest conditions, while the absence of rim brake straddle wires allowed at least 2 inches (5 cm) of clearance for the full-length mudguards, minimising mud clogging
• A contoured bash plate, made from duralumin, located inboard and next to the chainset, to skate over fallen tree trunks as well as keeping mud off the transmission
• Large diameter 650B wheels (27 inches in diameter, nearly 700c), shod with heavy-duty Nokia (now Nokian) Hakkapeliitta tyres featuring thick, strong sidewalls that allow very low pressures, to aid traction, mud-shedding, and giving a significant degree of suspension. Tungsten-studded versions were available for improved grip

Design philosophy

In those days, Geoff was often to be seen dressed in tweeds, exuding the air of tradition and refinement that is reflected in his bike designs, of which he says, "…it's always been paramount …that you've got to look dignified and relaxed, even when riding through 12 inches of crud...' Further, "…the bikes are designed with trials and cross-country exploring in mind, rather than scrambling and ferocious dry dirt track descents…' for which, of course, mountain bikes were originally designed. Yet, Clelands do have a formidable down-hill capability, and modern DH bikes have evolved along similar lines. Being strongly influenced by Geoff's motorcycle trials-riding experience, a Cleland can, in the right hands, clear almost any trail hazard, graciously and apparently effortlessly, gliding through the worst gloop a track can offer, conveying rider and loaded panniers in great comfort and style, where mountain bikers seem to struggle to keep going.

Development

In 1962, when Geoff was 12 years old, his family moved from east London to Aston Clinton, Buckinghamshire, a village sitting at the foot of the Chiltern Hills. He soon started riding in the woods and began modifying bikes. As he grew older he became an expert motorbike trials rider; but his love for the simplicity and quiet of cycling never ceased, his desire to combine these activities led to lots of tinkering.

By 1980, after several years of refinement, Geoff felt he had a design worthy of manufacture, initially called the 'Range Rider'; the 'Aventura' was sold under the Cleland brand. English Cycles, of Telford, Shropshire, produced frames to Geoff's specification, and also built some similar machines under their own name. Subsequently, a few more were produced by Highpath Engineering. All told, the number of machines produced was small. To reach full production potential required financial backing. There was, however, no significant market and the idea of off-road cycling was thought to have no commercial future.

What happened next?

1983 was the year mountain bikes arrived in the UK, with a more sporting image and glamorous Californian pedigree. More importantly, by 1984 they were being touted as the 'next big thing' in cycling - mass-produced, available in bike shops everywhere, cheaper and lighter than a Cleland, although Clelands ride lighter - the high centre of gravity makes them easier to manoeuvre. The arrival of mountain bikes ensured that Clelands never went into full production, nevertheless, development continued as it had done before; in Geoff's spare time. A 24 inch wheeled full-trials prototype, called the 'Dingbat', produced in 1985, was followed in 1986 by the 'Clelandale'. Without financial backing, having custom frames made had proved a big obstacle. Geoff hoped to circumvent this by building bikes on a mass-produced frame - in this case a Cannondale.

Not only by also

Ironically, Geoff was heavily involved in the early development of mountain biking in the UK, enthusiastically travelling up and down the country promoting the sport from the outset. For several years he lead regular Sunday rides around the Chiltern Hills, often showing-off the Cleland's abilities, particularly in "…nadgery bits…" (tight, twisty sections to you and I). In addition, there were weekend expeditions to more mountainous parts. He organised the Wendover Bash, a pioneering competitive event in the UK and was active in guiding the sport at a national level. He was also one of the founders of 'Making Tracks' - a black and white A5 format mountain biking fanzine, produced between 1984 and 1988. When Making Tracks was incorporated into New Cyclist magazine, Geoff moved from southern England to their editorial base in the Scottish Borders, and continued to work in cycling journalism, until New Cyclist was, in turn, taken over and moved back to London.

Since then

After the demise of New Cyclist in 1993, Geoff produced a book on cycle maintenance. He remains living in Scotland, located at the end of a track on a country estate beside the River Tweed, writing his second book - an adventure novel with a cycling hero. He emerges each year at the beginning of December for a reunion of Cleland owners, and a ride around his old stamping ground.

Several of the Cleland design features have appeared in mountain bike designs, but none has brought them all together in a unified concept. Therefore, Geoff believes that, with appropriate funding, a modern version Aventura would have a particular place in the current off-road cycling market.

An article base upon this history of Cleland Cycles appeared on 63xc.com. A site devoted to fixed gear off-roading. Check it out.