Forum | Regretting buying the Guv’nor already

Dubhousing.….oh dear, here we go again!

This sounds like a rerun of the problem James our founder had last year, see “Stem of Iniquity”, dated 10 August 2010 and comments.

Suggest you pursue this robustly with your retail dealer and the Australian importer. Pashley have been found wanting in their warranty service in the past, hopefully they have made some improvements since last year?

Safe rides ‘One & All’.

DW.

My Dear Fellow, come what may at the weekend — hail, sun or snow, my wrists are as buggered as an Eton schoolboy and I will not be out on the Guv’nor. I expect this sort of crappiness from a $50 fixie, not a Pashley. If the handlebar slips, it’s lethal, no argument allowed. I shall be in Port Melbourne on Saturday, probably to trade in the Guv’nor for the Clubman.

Dear Mr Dubhousing,

There is always a simple solution to every problem.….your state of mind will dictate whether or not a simple solution is available to you.

The problem you have identified is not difficult to overcome — a replacement stem or handlebar, a brass shim, etc…all simple and inexpensive solutions. 

Perhaps you are not satisfied with the whole Guv’nor concept.….quoted from your first words, “OK, I can forgive the strange bottom bracket height, the incredible weight and the brakes like sponges”.….…I don’t think you can forgive these attributes, so instead of throwing up smokescreens or creating other weightless excuses, please sell your Guv’nor to someone worthy who will appreciate what the whole Guv’nor concept is all about.

Safe riding

James

Hello Gentlemen,

I prepared a rather lengthy and descriptive response to the stem issue–similar to that of our founder James–complete with measurements and pictures. However, James has not yet been able to perform his typical moderator duties, so I’ll include a brief response here.

Yes, Dubhousing, the Chinelli XA stem, shim, and bar combination is completely wrong. I provided the rationale and measurements in my post that will hopefully go up soon–once James approves it–as this is more than a tad dangerous. Below is a link to the pictures of my failed stem–which, incidentally was never truly tight–and the replacement stem (far nicer and better a design, plus it’s the right size matching 25.4 mm bars). Living in Santa Cruz, and my Guv’nor just hitting its third birthday, I have a little to no chance or getting any response from Pashley.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/4.….9210/show/

As for the rest of the post, well…that’s our beloved Guv’nor, heavy as a boat anchor yet somehow elegantly pugnacious. Regardless, ride safely and often.

Take care,

Gary

I take the issues with the stem etc but to balance out;

I had a Pashley Soveriegn Roadster, the 5 speed broke one day when I stood up to pedal from stationary but other than that it was fab.

In fact I may never have bought a Guv’nor — the bike I reallly wanted when I bought the Sov’ — if the Sov’ had not been ‘borrowed’.

The Guv’ is the Guv’.….….….….….… nearly sold it a couple of weeks ago. Glad I didnt because it just ‘is’. Once I accpeted what it ‘is’ then the rest just follows.

I have had no problems with it.

Its the only bike that young (hoodied types included) and old have either stopped me, or just commented while I’m passing and said — in summary - ‘nice bike’.…..

Hey MG and Gentlemen,

Yours are thoughtful comments. And, I completely agree about proper maintenance. Included in my post that has not yet received approval from James, our founder, is that I completely replaced the head-set as well as the stem, as the head-set was “indexing” rather heavily from three-years of wear and the pothole that got the better part of it; I ride the Guv almost everyday. I then used a torque wrench to properly torque the whole lot. In fact, virtually every component on the guv has been inspected, cleaned, maintained, lubed, and properly torqued by me, as I’ve had most of the bike apart at one time or another, and precisely because it is hand-made by others. I highly recommend cultivating your own technician skills. It’s the only way you can truly care for and “know” the guv. Remember: few if any typical mechanics will care for your guv the way you can with just a little effort–plus you save BP’s, or in my case USD.

There’s nothing like a well tuned and adjusted Guv’nor. Next on my list will be replacing the less than desirable oversized spokes on the Guv. I’ve already replaced two broken ones. No, I’m not jumping curbs and such, and I only weigh about 162 lbs. The manufacturer of the spokes–generally regarded as inferior–stamps them on the side of the spoke! This sets up the perfect “notch stress” scenario whereby typical riding, and the occasional rough patch of road, over time will compromise the spoke.

Lastly, I understand the handmade, artisan notion of Guv’nor. My front folks too are a little askew–it’s just the jig they use I guess. I’m cool with that. I must say, however, that I am not quick to excuse the Cinelli stem, shim, and bar mis-match. From what I’ve been able to research, this is a fairly well known problem (the Cinelli XA) that a pair of calibers could quickly reveal as foolhardy. Yes, I suggest your own calibers as well!  

Be well lads!

Gary

Calif Guv said:

Hey MG and Gentlemen,

Yours are thoughtful comments. And, I completely agree about proper maintenance.   … however, that I am not quick to excuse the Cinelli stem, shim, and bar mis-match. From what I’ve been able to research, this is a fairly well known problem (the Cinelli XA) that a pair of calibers could quickly reveal as foolhardy. …  

Be well lads!

Gary

Balance in your post.

Absolutely agree. The personal responsibility that appears so lacking in ‘our’ society with what standard one can reasonably expect from a product (it pains me to describe the Guv’ as such but product it is).

There is a tipping point in all business and life and mistakes not addressed can lead to the ultimate demise of the product.

Note British car/motor cycle industry as was (I know there where many factors in its demise), one factor was absolutely rubbish attention to detail in some of the finer points of production. Compare with Toyota now (recall of cars due to the absence or poor design of a plastic bush). I accept also that Toyota and others may not have rushed to people’s doors to address the issue but address it they have/did.

That said I think Pashley are robust enough at this stage to weather this particular issue — but it could be handled better (it seems).

Just glad I’ve got a Technomic stem.….….….…. at the moment.

…better luck with your Clubman DH

MGcC

Dubhousing.…..sad to hear your Guv’nor ownership proved to be unsatisfactory.

Do send an update post when you get your Clubman Urban 3 speed fixed. Hope this proves a better experience for you, at least you have a pair of Gripfast wing nuts to transfer onto the Clubman front axle!

By the way, I understand Royal Mail have stopped using cycles for deliveries, but I don’t think it was anything to do with Pashley build quality!

Safe rides, DW.

MGCycleChap said:

What suprises me Dubhousing, and I can only assume its maybe something to do with your purchase agreement (?) because as your concern with the Guv’nor is actually to do with Pashleys build quality that you have exchanged the bicycle for another Pashley product the Clubman ?

MGcC

I was wondering about that too, Mr MGCC.

A sorry tale indeed, nobody likes to be sold a product that is faulty/dodgy/badly made or poorly put together.  Let’s hope that the idiot in post No.1 that advised Mr Dubhousing to wrap the bars in plastic does’nt do just that and then sell the bike on.

As far as the bottom-bracket height, the weight and the spongy brakes.….…stand by for more of the same with the Clubman, I’d have thought.

dt