Fred Hanstock built the first Carlton bicycles at Carlton; Retro Raleighs gives 1896 and Classic Lightweights UK 1898. The firm moved to Worksop in the 1930s, and Raleigh bought the Worksop factory in 1960.
Key facts
- Founded
- 1896 (Fred Hanstock)
- Based
- Carlton, then Worksop from the 1930s
- Ownership
- Raleigh 1960
Sources disagree: Carlton founding year1896 (Fred Hanstock) (Retro Raleighs (sheldonbrown.com)) or 1898 (Classic Lightweights UK).
Carlton models
Years show the earliest and latest evidence found so far, not exact production dates.
Club / lightweight
- ContinentalClassic Lightweights UK lists a Continental in Carlton's 1936 range and a Continental Professional in 1949, from Cycling's show report.1936–1949
- Silver ClubmanThe Silver Clubman is in Carlton's 1936 range, according to Classic Lightweights UK.1936
- Super PythonThe Super Python is in Carlton's 1936 range, according to Classic Lightweights UK.1936
- JewelClassic Lightweights UK shows a Carlton Jewel built in 1954 by Bob Keeling.1954
- CatalinaClassic Lightweights UK records a 1958 Carlton Catalina, frame number E6898.1958
Racing lightweight
- FlyerCycling Weekly dates the Carlton Flyer to 1935, with steep angles and little fork rake.1935–1967
- Massed StartClassic Lightweights UK lists the Massed Start and Massed Start Special in Carlton's 1936 range, and the Massed Start again in 1949…1936–1949
- Road Track ModelClassic Lightweights UK lists a Carlton Road Track Model in 1949, from Cycling's report of that year's show.1949
- CriteriumThe Criterium is in a 1967–68 Carlton catalogue, in Reynolds 531 with long spear-point lugs.1967
- Franco ItaliaThe Franco Italia is in a 1967–68 Carlton catalogue, with Carlton Grand Prix lugs and 5- or 10-speed gears.1967
- Giro d'ItaliaThe Giro d'Italia is in a 1967–68 Carlton catalogue, in Reynolds 531 butted tubing with Simplex Prestige 5- or 10-speed gears.1967
- Grand Prix '531'The Grand Prix '531' is in a 1967–68 Carlton catalogue, in Reynolds 531 butted tubing with Simplex, Criterium or Campagnolo gears.1967
- LongfellowThe Longfellow is in a 1967–68 Carlton catalogue, in heavy-gauge 531, made only in 24½ and 25½in sizes.1967
- Super Course (Carlton)A 1967–68 Carlton catalogue lists three Super Course models: a Super Course Competition on Milremo tubulars…1967
- TenThe Carlton 'Ten' is in a 1967–68 Carlton catalogue, with Simplex 10-speed gears and a 40/50T double chainset.1967
Frameset
Sources for this brand
Last updated 19 October 2026. Every fact on this page comes from one of these.