Cheers,
Ian

Travis, two things are for sure: you will fall in love with the bike, and it will meet all of your needs.

Our site is full of owners who bought the Guvnor on a whim, or for weekends, or as a lovely treat, and without fail everyone seems to ride it more, and with more enjoyment, then they originally thought.

Great idea re the gear test.

And like you I’d love to read a Plus Four owner’s opinion on all this. But as there’s only 50 of them alive today they are a rare beast! I think they all live in a glorious mansion somewhere with it’s own figure of eight velodrome made of walnut.

I’ve been married three times and found you can always get another wife. As for thePlus 4, well, doesn’t bear thinking about.…

Ride on!

Thank you so much for that! Very useful. I’m actually not sure of the number yet… It’s being sold by someone (well, actually someone’s mother) who came back to Australia from the UK recently and is apparently reluctantly selling it for financial reasons. It’s still in the unopened box and they’re selling it that way: hence the not being able to try it myself or knowledge of the serial number! I’ll let you know if it comes off…

With the knowledge of the probable lowest gear ratio that you’ve mentioned, tomorrow I’ll try my hills on a friends’ bike in a gear that matches to see if it’s doable.

My only delimma (if that works out ok) after that you’ve articulated; Is it a sin to ride a precious Plus Four as a commuter? I only have room in my life (aka hallway) for one bike, which means either I commute on Plus Four, or I go a disposable mass produced, or my wife moves out.

I’ll let you know how it pans out! Thank you again for the info– has made all the difference. Hopefully some of the Plus Four owners can chip in a few more details as well. Any other advice would be very warmly received.

Specifically what i would like to know if the gear ratio and gear inches of the lowest gear (even better, all of them) of the Sachs Duomatic rear hub combined with the Speed Drive front chain wheel on the Plus Four?

And does anybody know if the cog on either of these parts can be changed to get lower ratios if it turns out?

Or, if a Plus Four owner sees this: can you comfortably get up a steep hill?

Cheers,

Travis

You can see from here the weights of the regular models:
http://www.guvnorownersclub.com/forum/the-public-house/the-weight-of-your-guvnor-is/

Will it stand up to it? Yes. I ride a (single speed) Guvnor 12 miles a day and have done for almost 2 years. Should you commute on a precious Plus Four? That’s up to you…

If it helps your estimation, the regular 3 speed has the following gear inches and ratios:
44″, 59″, 78″, / 0.75:1, 1:1, 1.33:1
One imagines the Plus Four covers a similar range at least.

As for the riding position, it’s very flexible, in no small part because of the North Road bars and their multiple angle possibilities. Off the (brass) peg I think you would describe it as upright (but miles off ‘sit up and beg’).

Best of luck, and of course let us know what happens. By the way, what number (of 50) is this Plus Four?

James

Love the posts on this site. I have just come across a Plus Four to buy in Australia and have to act quickly without being able to see or ride it in person. I would really appreciate it if some owners (particularly Simon and Keith) could answer a few quick questions for me? Ones i can’t seem to find answers for anywhere else…

I plan to use this Plus Four for a daily commute in Sydney. The trip is about 6 miles each way, 60 per week, and involves some significant hills (not sure how to describe them but imagine something in-between the Cotswolds and the Lake District) and descents. I don’t need to be the fastest, but the bike would have a very practical job in my life:

Is this bike suitable? Sure i love the look and idea of it but unfortunately don’t have room in my life for a Sunday Tourer. That is, will the lowest gears accommodate steep hills? And do you think the bike and mechanisms will stand up to these types of miles — distance plus pressure applied?

What does it weigh?

Do the brakes handle steepish descents?

Any way of describing the riding position? Is it more upright like a touring/hybrid/urban bike, or is it more like a road bike in the coasting (non aggressive) position– please excuse my lack of vernacular!

Am i out of my mind for even considering it?

Any light you could shed (and quickly!) would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers, and keep up the great support you have going here.

Travis

Regards and safe riding.……Geoff.

I must sort that fence out !!

The other option is watermarks, would rather not do this but there may be a way to incorporate a subtle design.

Note: as of today I can confirm there is at least one other available (No13) in Velorution. And Bobbin’s website says that No6 is still available too…

Chris, You’ll find the Guvnor a completely differebt ride t nay other bike, Its actually very liberating. attached is a link to my other bikes but the Guvnor encourages you to amble, and admire your surroundings as opposed to wearing lycra and riding against the clock. You also need to be prepared for all the admiring glances and comments.
I use mine as I would a vintage car

http://www.flickr.com/photos/44760589@N05/

You’ll love it when you get it !

My preferred accessories would include:
–Mounting for the existing Roadster/Princess headlamp
–Mudguards
–A diamond shaped leather frame bag
–Wingnuts
–General spares (cables, levers, nuts, bolts etc)