Review Of The Pashley Guvnor - Modern Take On A Classic Gentlemens Bike
If there's one thing that the owners of the Pashley Guvnor do not seem to lack, it's enthusiasm. Designed mainly for cyclists who enjoy just pottering around town or leisurely outings to the pub at the weekend, this is a bike built not for speed, but for style.
The inspiration for the design is a roadster made by Pashley in the 1930s. It features a classic steel frame,
hand-made using the same Reynolds 531 tubing as used on the original bike. Pashley asked Reynolds to make them a special batch of the tubing (no longer in production) specifically for the Guvnor.
A feature of the Pashley Guvnor is its clean and uncluttered lines. So many owners remark on the relaxed and stable feel to the bike - probably resulting from the long wheelbase and stable steering angle inherent in the frame design.
A single-speed version is available, but most will choose the 3-speed model I think. The hub-mounted Sturmey-Archer gears will give more flexibility and will help with the inevitable hills.
The brakes are also Sturmey-Archer hub units, which are perfectly up to the job, even though they may lack the power of a modern caliper or v-brake design. Added to which, they will escape the worst of the weather, being protected inside the hubs.
The 28” rims with fat Schwalbe tyres are beautifully finished in black with gold lining. They are quite heavy, so acceleration will be slow. However they will bowl along happily once turning.
The classic Brooks B17 saddle will take a while to break in, but you will be rewarded with superb comfort in the end. The vintage drop-handlebars are by North Road and are fitted with lovely handmade leather grips. The shape is very accommodating, allowing a variety of hand positions.
The manufacturers do a range of accessories to go with your bike – leather bags and chrome wingnuts for the wheels for an even more retro look. Your bike comes with a special toolkit and even a tin of Guvnor blend tea!
The Pashley Guvnor is a bike aimed at bringing the fun back into cycling. It’s for people who value style over speed – people for whom the journey is more imprtant than the destination. With a pricetag of £850, this is not an investment to be taken lightly. However, the bike will last a lifetime. In fact, I've heard it being compared to owning a classic car. Reading the opinions of owners, it’s clear that they are all having great fun, and probably would never go back to a modern aluminium bike if you paid them!
