A jewel-like 1950s bike built for long distance trials that weighs just 7.65kg
This ingenious Nicola Barra bike is both beautiful and very capable
The Nicola Barra 'Barralumin' bicycle, constructed in 1954/55, is a truly extraordinary piece of cycling history. Hailing from the late 1930s to mid-1950s, this exceptional aluminium frame was crafted by the renowned French constructeur, Barra. As an aficionado of the art of randonneuring, Barra's creations were designed to excel in long-distance trials such as Paris-Brest-Paris, Diagonales de France, and treks into the Alps and Pyrenees.
The 'Barralumin' bike is a paragon of '650b-ness', built to conquer the most challenging terrains. Its weight is a mere 7.65kg, making it an astonishingly lightweight yet robust machine. The frame, an exquisite work of art, is said to resemble pewter in reality, as described by current owner Richard Hoddinott. Its unique design features a proprietary gas-welding technique, resulting in smooth weld seams that set it apart from the more common scalloped TIG weld joins found on modern aluminium frames.
One striking aspect of this bicycle is its minimalist colour palette, which lends it a bold and captivating appearance. The dimpled mudguards, though seemingly perfect, are a testament to the meticulous craftsmanship that went into the bike's construction. Hoddinott describes the frame as a statement piece, not an affordable luxury for the average person back in its day. It was, indeed, a glamour bike, equally at home among the fashionable boutiques of Avenue Montaigne as it was on the daunting Col de la Madeleine.
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