The Pashley Guvnor is a special bicycle. The hand built touches, crafted lines and choice components elevate it far beyond the workhorse runabout. The price reflects this, but the Guvnor purchaser is torn between opposing desires. The bike wants to be admired, yet it demands to be ridden. Should it be saved for special occasions, or should it carry you to work?
Many commentators guess at its weight, judge its tyres and regard its gears as being somehow impractical. When you ride the Guvnor such comments are rendered invalid. When you ride the Guvnor and engage its delightful roadplay, rely on its stable congress with the road and succumb to its boisterous charge, such commentators themselves are rendered invalid.
The bike shall be ridden as often as possible. If it somehow ‘wears out’ before your child inherits then another shall be acquired.
Admiration occurs best from the saddle, not the shed.
Ride and admire
{ 14 comments… read them below or add one }
Can’t wait to get my guv(‘?)nor, the plus four ordered with Evans. 2 weeks till delivery…I will admire!
The Plus Fours are a special case, this is true. But they should be ridden where possible. Enjoy yours whichever way!
For those yet to witness:
http://www.pashley.co.uk/products/guvnor-plus-four.html
Picking it up this weekend, took a while :)
Great news. Let us know how your first ride goes…
Picked it up today and had a little ride…nice. Number 4 of 50.
Worked out the gears, kick back once to change 1 to 2, use the kickplates to get you up into 3 and 4 operated. Different but painless.
Loved ‘Guv’nor Tea’, good touch.
Shame the weather has been awful today, fingers crossed for tomorrow.
One slight niggle, there’s a front brake and bar end levers, was after a clean design, doesn’t ruin the look of the bike tho
Great news Simon, and good luck with the weather. Have just sent you an email…
Oh definitely, mechanical contraptions work as art through their use, not from mere appearance. Thank you for your blog, you have sparked what was a mere curiosity into a blazing obsession; I anticipate the purchase of a Guv’nor this Easter (2010.)
Jack, a pleasure. Let us know when you take receipt…it will be a special day!
ehi guys, do you know if the handlebars on the Guv’nor, or better yet the ones on the Guv’nor Plus Four, are available anywhere?
I’d love one for a bicycle I’m putting together…
thanks!!
diego
@diego – They look like a North Road pattern to me. If you can’t find anything you like the look of online, try calling the Bicycle Workshop (http://www.bicycleworkshop.co.uk/). Last time I was in there they told me that they had a few patterns of North Road bars to choose from…
thanks graham!
@diego – No probs. I just discovered this page on velorution that will be of interest to anybody into their bars… http://www.velorution.biz/2009/12/head-over-heels-for-handlebars/
the link doesn’t work…
I think Graham’s link is valid but Velorution’s site is currently down. Here’s some other links in the meantime:
The ever-excellent Simpsons of Kentish Town have some good value North Roads:
http://www.simpsoncycles.co.uk/section.php?xSec=231
While these are some of the best you can buy:
http://www.jensonusa.com/store/product/HB409B05-Nitto+North+Road+Handlebar.aspx?sc=FRGL
I am working on a post about the history of North Road handlebars, but you’d be surprised how little information is out there.