Forum | Regretting buying the Guv’nor already

Gents

The answers to your questions are:

1. yes, related to the purchase agreement. Thankfully the Sturmey S3X makes up for staying with Pashley

2. The Clubman is essentially a frame with extras. As long as the frame is reliable every other component can be changed, something that is far more difficult on the Guv’nor. The Clubman could end up more like the Cooper Reims, or a traditional fixie (or as bought if it behaves).

3. Potential for spongy brakes on the front I agree, but capacity to fit more traditional (and lighter) brakes in the future.

4. A lower bottom bracket.

5. Clubman comes with gripfast nuts on the front. Old ads for the fixed 3 speed Sturmey hub show wing nuts on the rear wheel allowing the chain to run through — the hunt is on.

6. I’d heard that Pashley had lost the Royal Mail contract as they were encouraging postal workers to use cars. I understood that was the mainstay of Pashley’s business model so is it the end for Pashley?

7. My very last intention was to antagonise or distress you gents, or to suggest you are blind fanboys, and so I will make this my last post. I got some good advice here and hope to ride on, albeit in fixed mode, for years to come.

Post edited 10:45 am — Jun 4, 2011 by Dubhousing

Well, I’ve spent all day on the Clubman and I am very impressed. Cudos to Bakerlite in Port Melbourne for a smooth exchange for the Guv’nor.

The frame is stunning with geometry that suits me perfectly and looks that are beautiful and redolent of a great period in British design. The three speed hub is a little odd — having ridden a fixed speed for the last 6 weeks it is a little off putting to have what feels like significant slippage, only  at slow speeds. Not sure if this is normal backlash behaviour for this hub or whether it is more than that, requiring adjustment.

One major gripe is that the seat post slipping no matter how tightly the bolt is fastened.

I got Stephen at Bakerlite to tape the handlebars almost to the stem (and a fine job too — the Brooks leather looks lovely) but it’s almost wasted as no matter how hard I try the bars only feel comfortable in one position, but then again that position is very comfortable (with hand over the brake).

The tyres are interesting. I inwardly groaned when I saw they were Panasonics as I only use Continentals and Panasonics are not common in Australia, but they grip like a vice and are very comfortable so I think they will stay.

I think I am going to love this bike. It’s more cloth cap and whippets to the Guv’nor’s tweed and sherry. Do I miss anything about the Guv’nor? Only the saddle. The Clubman’s Swift (my second) is murder while the Guv’nor’s was like a bath of warm jelly. Oh well… I’ll report back after more extensive use. 

Safe (and faster) riding.