Paul Donohue bike, info needed! Pics!

[Joel93]

Hi as iv mentioned on the forum iv recently got into steel bikes, but I lack the knowledge to know exactly what I have. So at the moment this Paul Donohue frame is set up as a single speed using campy bits. I'm going to add a 14 speed campy mirage full groupset I have sourced, to make the bike more usable for my surroundings.

I'm looking for info on the bike really the age etc. It's a columbus.

[tatanab]

Brazings for downtube levers, so I would guess late 80s early 90s. I note it is using a single freewheel which means that a rear brake is required for road use. Other than that, it should be a nice frame from a respected builder.

[Joel93]

Already removed the single speed, I'm just looking for info as to the quality and desirability of the frame before I go to the trouble of fitting my campagnolo groupset to it. Not much info online but it's a nice looking frame and feels light enuf.

[David9694]

Maybe make fitting the rear brake caliper the first job - just to be sure the reach is going to be ok.

[the snail]

Columbus is good quality tubing - the stickers will tell you which grade of tubing was used. It looks like a nice frame though.

[PhilD28]

Paul was a great framebuilder (also a good racer) who at one time employed up to 9 framebuilders in his workshop at Bishop Auckland, including Kevin Winter who is a superb craftsman and is still building frames. Paul wound up his business after it became too difficult for him to compete with frames from Taiwan.
I have no doubt that it will be a high quality frame and worth putting effort into making it a good bike.

[philg]

I bought this 631 lugless PD bike for Audaxing from Byercycles in 1999 and loved it, comfortable yet efficient, sadly missed.

[Technoblurb]

Paul was a great framebuilder (also a good racer) who at one time employed up to 9 framebuilders in his workshop at Bishop Auckland, including Kevin Winter who is a superb craftsman and is still building frames. Paul wound up his business after it became too difficult for him to compete with frames from Taiwan.
I have no doubt that it will be a high quality frame and worth putting effort into making it a good bike.

We purchased our first proper road bikes from Paul at the Bishop Auckland shop back in the 80’s , it was the best bike shop I have ever been in and a few years later I ended up supplying computers to him after he moved the workshop to Stockton.

[Glen]

You could also consult the Paul Donohue appreciation society!

https://www.lfgss.com/conversations/237352/?offset=450

I agree with tatanab, your bike looks 80's/early 90's. Is it 126 or 130 rear drop-out spacing? 130 would suggest '90s. Definitely worth building up.
I think Paul Donohue moved to tig welding during the 1990's and his frames were marketed by Graham Weigh and others.
Photo of mine attached; a 1998 531 millenium frame built up with parts from the spares box and ebay. The straight forks and chunky stays seem to be typical of Donohues of this period. Very comfy for a road bike.

Regards