Tag: roadster

#365daysofbiking A dying breed

December 24th – Christmas Eve at last, and a day carrying out errands. Stopping in Aldridge for coffee, I spotted this nice, little used ladies town bike.

A Pashley copy, it bears the brand ‘Pendleton’ – a hHalfords tie in with Victoria Pendleton, female cycling star, much like their Boardman brand.

These bikes were in fashion about a decade ago, but seem to have waned as folk realised that a heavy, cumbersome bike make make you look like Audrey Hepburn from afar but the sweat it caused didn’t aid the cycle chic.

This one is actually very cute and in beautiful condition. Compliments too on the proper locking strategy.

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Christmas Eve – Down into Lichfield on a last minute errand, it was a gorgeous day – bright, clear and getting colder. It actually felt like Christmas. Lichfield wasn’t as busy as I expected, and I easily got the things done I needed to, although against a bitter wind the ride back was harder than it should have been. The lanes and fields around Wall looked wonderful, and the bright emerald green of winter crops in the fields was a nice surprise. From Aldershawe, the Old Lady of the Vale looked beautiful, too.

I was quite taken with the Dutch roadster parked up in town; it looked new, but the the owner was clearly intending to haul a load with it. A nice looking bike.

May 30th – Later on, in Birmingham city centre, I noticed this curious ladies bike. Nice colour, virtually brand new, three speed. It’s Pinnacle, a brand I think may be unique to Evans Cycles, who have a branch nearby – this is a bike aimed at a specific market, and probably price point, too. I think it’s Shimano three speed, and the saddle, grips and comfort features like the adjustable stem are nice, but the brakes – callipers on a bike likely to be heavily loaded – are a bit crap, to be honest. The choice of a white chain and chain set are interesting, too. I’m also intrigued by the frame design; not quite a Mixte frame, it seems a bit pointlessly complex for what it actually is.

I also note the rear light on the seatpost that can’t actually be seen from the rear due to the carrier. Bit worrying that, and why I don’t like seatpost lights, which are often inadvertently obscured by overhanging jackets, too.

It’s a lovely thing, though, really. I’m interested in the way city bikes like this are evolving – they’re coming on a bit from the costly and huge Pashley hulks of a few years ago.

July 7th – It’s not just the car park at Waitrose that tends to be full of posh vehicles. This Pashley is one classy bike. Weighing a ton, they tend to glide gracefully rather than race. Fully enclosed drive system and relaxed, classically upright position appeal very much to the more mature lady, which would be an excellent description of the rider who locked it here. A fine steed indeed.

Edited a couple of hours after posting: Thanks to reader Ziksby’s sharp eye, I now know that this isn’t in fact a Pashley but a Raleigh Elegance, a knockoff Pashley copy. I should have spotted the lack of hub brakes. Still an elegant steed, and it does look heavy. Must put the glasses on next time… D’oh!

June 14th – Returning that afternoon, I noticed this new roadster locked up near to the railings in Trent Valley car park. Obviously a beginner to commuting, it’s a very new bike branded ‘Real’ – it’s a knock-off Pashley copy sold by Halfords, I think. Sadly, the owner hasn’t invested in a very good lock and seems to have missed the fact that there’s a decent, CCTV-covered bike park in the dry under the footbridge steps on Platform 1. I’m not going to state the obvious, I’m really not. You work it out.

Nice to see someone having a go. Cycle Chic comes to Ye Olde City?

June 11th – When I finally got to Pelsall Canal Festival at about 2pm, there was a sharp downpour. For 20 minutes, everything was wet and miserable, but then the sun came out. Whilst wandering around looking at the boats, I noticed this fine old Raleigh roadster complete with steel rims, hub dynamo and 3 speed Sturmey Archer gears. Sadly, the Brooks leather saddle wasn’t looking in the best of condition. The hipsters in london would kill for a bike like this.