The story behind this lovingly restored Cliff Shrubb “Twin Tube Special” time trial bike from the early 90s

A meticulously restored Cliff Shrubb "Twin Tube Special" time trial bike, dating from the early 1990s, has been brought back into the spotlight. This unique machine, crafted by the renowned South London frame builder, showcases an unconventional frame design featuring dual top tubes. Its recent restoration highlights a specific era of bespoke British cycling innovation, celebrating Shrubb's distinct approach to optimising aerodynamics and stiffness for time trial performance.

This revival is significant as it underscores a period when frame builders experimented widely with geometry and materials, predating the widespread adoption of carbon fibre and computational fluid dynamics. Shrubb, a respected figure in British cycling, was known for his idiosyncratic yet effective designs, often tailored precisely to individual riders. The "Twin Tube Special" exemplifies this bespoke ethos, offering a glimpse into the creative solutions employed to gain marginal gains before the UCI's stringent regulations on frame design became commonplace.

Ultimately, this restored Shrubb serves as a poignant reminder that true innovation often begins with a welder's torch and a radical idea, long before the wind tunnel became the primary arbiter of speed.