My Pashley Guvnor in 2015

It's time to make a few changes to my Guvnor. I need some new tyres and I'd like to get a new saddlebag as well. 

I was looking for a set of white or creme tyres to replace the original Schwalbe tyres, but after being super impressed with the look of black rubber on the Pashley Speed 5 I thought I'd get some black tyres.

Here's the overall look of the bike at the moment, it certainly has changed from its original configuration.

I was looking for a set of tan wall tyres with black tread and after much research found some for sale at a bike shop in Germany. Unfortunately high shipping costs prevented me from buying a pair. 

Instead I went for a pair of classic Raleigh Roadster 28 x 1 1/2 tyres, they are easy to source and present great value. These tyres have a slightly smaller profile than the OEM Schwalbe Delta Cruiser tyres and run on a slightly lower pressure...but they are very good and roll as smooth as silk. It certainly feels as though they have a lower rolling resistance than the Delta Cruiser tyres - they roll better and with far less effort.

I also like the more traditional tread pattern of the tyre and they look great on black Westwood rims.

Being a big Brooks fan I just couldn't go past a Brooks saddlebag. After much thought (and a bit of procrastination) I opted for the Brooks 'Isle of Wight' saddlebag. This is a lovely leather and canvas saddlebag that is made in Italy and is built to last! 

It is very sturdy and really suits the style of the bike. I went for the medium size bag, but it's also available in small and large sizes and there are other colour options too. They are readily available at many online stores and are well priced.  

I also decided to change out the pedals. Gone are the original MKS Sylvan rat trap pedals....and in are the more traditional Union block pedals. 

These pedals remind me of riding a bike as a child in the 1970's. When I was a kid block pedals were the only pedals available.

What takes me back is the memory of spinning a block pedal with your hand...when you did the pedal rotated for may turns as though it would never stop. These original Union pedals are exactly like that! One spin and it rotates forever (well nearly!) Pedals don't do this anymore, and for this reason it's a pleasure to have a set of blocks again.

Original vintage Union pedals are still available if you take some time to look. They are often overly priced but occasionally you can buy a set for a reasonable price.

It's time to have a look at the LiON bell that I got from LiON Bellworks a couple of years ago. Two years of use has given the bell a nice patina. It still rings well and can be heard for miles!

The Britannia rubber grips have bedded in nicely. They are comfortable and grippy, and are a perfect match for the Raleigh Roadster tyres. 

I hope you enjoyed the images.

Safe riding from James @ PVC.

1970's Colnago Super

The glorious story of the Colnago Super series began in 1968 in Cambiago, Italy. Ernesto Colnago designed and manufactured a bicycle which became a legend of the cycling history and the top model of his 1970's line.

Made of Columbus SL steel tubes, with a shorter, stiffer and lighter frame, the Colnago Super was, and still is, a high-performing bicycle.

This Colnago Super is in original condition and is fully equipped with a Campagnolo Super Record groupset, the most iconic groupset of the 1970's. An unusual violet paintwork makes this Colnago Super even more charming. The perfect choice for all Colnago fans!

This one is a 54cm frame and is for sale at the moment at http://www.steel-vintage.com/

They have more original and beautifully restored cycles on their website. Well worth a look...

Safe riding...

James @ PVC

New tyres for the Pashley Guv'nor

I like to regularly change things on my bicycles, in particular I love fresh tyres on a bike.....give your bike a bit of a clean, fit some new tyres and there you have a brand new bike!

It’s time to change the tyres on my Pashley Guvnor, I’ve had the bike for 5 years now and although the original white Schwalbe Delta Cruiser tyres (28 x 1 1/2 or 40-635 ETRTO) are not worn out its time to freshen up the bike with a new set of tyres. I’ve been having a look at tyre options and I am pleased to see that there are a couple of new options for tyre replacement. 

Firstly, I’m keen to retain white tyres on the bike. The Guvnor, being a replicated 1930’s path racer, is fitted with white tyres that were typical of the period.  White tyres on a vintage ride do look good! I notice that the new Pashley Speed 5 comes fitted with black Schwalbe Delta Cruiser tyres. They also look good but I still prefer a white tyre.

All rubber bicycle tyres in the early 1900’s were originally white, which was the natural colour of rubber. Unfortunately they wore quickly and would stain easily. 

Inside a New Zealand bicycle shop in 1910.

.....and a bicycle shop in the USA in 1920.

Eventually 'carbon black' (raw carbon soot) was added to the rubber compound making tyres black in colour. Carbon black greatly increased the durability and strength of rubber tyres and this greatly increased their lifespan. Unfortunately the addition of carbon black in the tyre manufacturing process came at a high cost, so regular priced bicycle tyres remained white in colour, and black tyres became expensive.   

From a purely cosmetic perspective, black tyres were also easier to keep clean, so they eventually became more desirable than white tyres. Luckily for us the black tyre manufacturing process became cheaper over time making black bicycle tyres more affordable for everyone.

Nowadays, as the popularity of cycling is on the increase, so is the variety of tyre options for vintage styled bicycles. At the time of its release in 2009, there were very few white tyre options available to Pashley. I've recently discovered a couple of new options.

The Vredestein 'Retro' tyre with ivory tread:  

Here is one fitted to a Guv'nor, that's one cool tyre!

The Continental 'Classic Ride' tyre with cream tread:

Just released by Continental, but not yet readily available!

The standard cream block tyre (generic standard throughout Asia):

The CST 'Traveller' tyre (in cream) and the Schwalbe 'Delta Cruiser' tyre (the standard Guv'nor tyre):

The Vredestein tyre certainly appeals to me - the lettering in the tread pattern looks really cool. I do however prefer the clean styling of the new Continental Classic Ride tyre. I run Continental tyres on my road bikes and find that they are just excellent. I've noticed that the new Conty Classic Ride tyres have only just been released and at the moment are hard to come by, I'm sure this will change as they become more popular.

I think I'll wait until the Conty's are easier to source.....

Safe riding.

James @ PVC

Brooks L'eroica Saddles

Saddle makers Brooks of England have created some fantastic special edition saddles in the past. My favourite is definitely the Brooks Professional "Alpe d'Huez" saddle that they introduced in limited numbers during 2010.

Alpe d'Huez is one of the main climbs and has been a stage finish in the Tour de France almost every year since 1976. The first was in 1952, and won by Fausto Coppi, at a time when most cyclists were riding Brooks Saddles.

A stylised topographic pattern of the Alpe d’Huez is impressed on the surface of the leather saddle. The design was created by Dan Funderburgh, a wallpaper designer and artist from Brooklyn, New York. His patterns, prints and installations are varied in content but all demonstrate a love for decorative arts.

The Alpe d'Huez edition saddle was available in honey, brown and black, and after it's release it sold out fairly quickly. It is almost impossible to buy new now, although second hand ones appear on eBay occasionally for ridiculous prices.

I was lucky enough to get hold of a brown Alpe d'Huez saddle some time ago. It is such a beautiful work of art that sits pride of place in my bike room. I'm sure I'll fit it to one of my bikes sooner or later!!

The most recent line of special edition Brooks saddles focuses on vintage cycling and the L'eroica series of rides. There are now 6 recognised L'eroica rides internationally and each year they are becoming more popular.

1.     Eroica California, USA,  12 April 2015.

2.     Eroica Primavera,  Italy,   3 May 2015.

3.     Eroica Japan,  17 May 2015.

4.     Eroica Hispania, Spain,  7 June 2015.

5.     Eroica Britannia, UK,  21 June 2015.

6.     Eroica Tuscany, Italy (the original event),  4 October 2015. 

As a tribute to the rides Brooks has released a series of limited edition saddles to commemorate the events. These are beautiful saddles that will compliment any vintage (or modern) ride.

California edition in honey brown

Japanese edition in green

Hispania edition in maroon

Britannia edition in black

Today (21 June 2015) is coincidently the Britannia edition of the ride - I am so envious of those lucky enough to be participating!. 

At this stage there have been 4 saddle designs released and there is expected to be one more released later in the year to commemorate the original L'Eroica ride in Tuscany. The saddles are available for purchase on the Brooks website however you best be quick as they are limited to 1000 pieces for each edition.

Good luck and safe riding,

James @ PVC.

From Pashley Speed 5 to Pashley Tweed 5.

The London Tweed Run was held this year on Saturday 18 April, 2015. Organisers of the event have again orchestrated a magnificent day for all tweed vintage cycling enthusiasts.  

There are some great images for all to see on their website www.tweedrun.com The site is well worth a look!

To raise money for charity this year the Tweed Run organisers collaborated with Pashley to produce the 'Tweed 5' bicycle. This 'one off' special edition was auctioned on Ebay to raise money for the Tweed Run charity. Congratulations to the lucky bidder Paul from Central Bedfordshire for his winning bid!

The 'Tweed 5' is based on Pashley's Speed 5, the Speed 5 being a fitting bicycle for such a unique makeover. Here is the result of the build...

From this....

...to this!

Here are some more images to enjoy.

The saddle bag and matching top tube protector are outstanding accessories, sure to be a big seller should Pashley decide to increase production for general sales. For me the red coloured Brooks Swift saddle with matching handlebar tape is also a standout! 

The collaborators were obviously going through a purple patch when creating this design! Hats off to all involved...

Safe riding...

James @ PVC

L'Eroica cycling classics

About 18 years ago in the province of Tuscany, Italy, a group of vintage cycling enthusiasts held a cycling event. They called it 'L'Eroica'. 

The event centred on a small village called Chianti which is surrounded by stunning Tuscan hills. The rolling Tuscan hills are magnificent, spotted with vineyards, rolling countryside, and white limestone roads.

The cycling event has never been competitive, just an event that attracts vintage cycling enthusiasts who want to ride on sealed and dirt roads that wind through some of the most beautiful Italian hills and countryside you could ever imagine.

During the ride participants are able to stop regularly to feast on traditional Italian food and wine. This activity is certainly a great drawcard for many riders as the magnificent food and beverage options present a 'once in a lifetime' opportunity to sample delicious Italian delicacies. 

The event pays homage to the nostalgic era of cycling when Fausto Coppi dominated world cycling events. As such bicycles involved in the event must be steel framed bicycles built before 1987. All bicycles must have down-tube shifters, pedals with cages and clips, wheels with at least 32 spokes, and external brake cables. 

There are few exceptions to this rule, although pre-1987 aluminium frames built by Alan or Vitus are allowed. On application, and after much consideration and deliberation by the event organisers, the Pashley Guv'nor was allowed to participate in the event in 2008 due to the design heritage of the bike. 

Riders are required to dress in clothing matching the era, so out come the vintage cycling shoes and the woollen cycling jerseys to match.

The event really has captured the imagination of vintage cycling fans throughout the world. Of course not everyone can afford the pilgrimage to Chianti so over recent times similar events have popped up throughout the world. 

In 2015 there are 6 major Eroica cycling events;

1. Eroica California, USA, 12 April 2015.

2. Eroica Primavera,  Italy, 3 May 2015.

3. Eroica Japan, 17 May 2015.

4. Eroica Hispania, Spain, 7 June 2015.

5. Eroica Britannia, UK, 21 June 2015.

6. Eroica Tuscany, Italy (the original event), 4 October 2015. 

See more details at http://www.eroica.cc/

Each event offers rides of differing lengths.......for example the 2015 Tuscany event offers 4 paths to choose from - 38 kms, 75 kms, 135 kms, or 209 kms, so there is usually a course to suit everyone.

This year saddle manufacturers Brooks (of England) are paying their respects to the L'Eroica phenomenon by producing some limited edition saddles to celebrate the event. Their first edition is called the Team Pro Eroica California pictured below....well done Brooks!

This saddle is available to purchase on the Brooks website. I understand that Brooks will be issuing a series of limited edition Eroica saddles this year to celebrate the various events, I can't wait to see the range.

Attending an Eroica event (wherever it may be) should be on any cyclists bucket list, it is certainly on mine!! 

Safe riding.

James @ PVC