Product Description
The Pashley Guvnor is one cool bicycle! It is styled after a 1930's path racer, down to the geometry. Perched upon this on a group ride to your local coffee shop or an Any Sunday joy ride, you're sure to get a few "wow, what is that!" comments. It's unlike any other bike on the market for the last 70 or so years. The geometry looks just "off" among a group of contemporary bicycles, enough to confuse the uninitiated. Should this be your only bicycle? Absolutely not. This is the bike you take out when you want to ride in style and luxury. Or maybe at a Tweed Ride. This is a 2012 model.
The Size
The frame is a 20.5", the smallest of the three sizes available. It will fit someone roughly 5ft 7 to 6ft tall. Pashley says it fits people with an inseam between 29" and 33".
Cool Points:
A few nifty features of this bike: $400 retail value between the Brooks B17 ti and Brooks leather grips; bolt on, D-shaped stays; cool metal headbadge; This bike's pedals are a good inch to inch and a half taller than most bikes! The 28" wheels give it a lift, as does the geometry's tall bottom bracket height. You'll feel like you're riding above everyone else!
The Build
In 3-speed format, the Guv'nor retails for $1700, and is very seldom seen on the used market. The frame is a specially pulled Reynolds 531 steel, which has not been used on any other bikes since the 1980's. It is built with retro-styled, yet modern components. Upside-down drop North Roads handlebars, Sturmey-Archer 3 speed hub/shifter, drum brakes. It does not have fender, rack, or water bottle cage braze-on's or eyelets.
The Guvnor is handmade in England, with the intent of making a path racer with modern componentry. In this three-speed variation, it makes an excellent commuter bike. It's slack angles, super long fork rake, and balloon tires make it extremely stable. The drum brakes and internal gearing provide a very low maintenance and dirt-free platform. The wide, smooth tires make it ideal for pavement, gravel, or dirt paths. The chainring guard keeps your pant leg out of the chain.
The History
This style of bike was essentially the precursor to the track bike, and was used in what they called "Six Day Events". This was six days of straight racing, with little to no breaks for sleep. They were raced originally on flat, dirt, oval-shaped "paths", that were the precursor to the modern velodrome. The most famous of the path racer's was the legendary Marshall "Major" Taylor, who was the first African-American man to achieve the level of "world champion" in any sport.
The Ride
The ride is unlike no other bike you've ever ridden. It is extremely stable, yet spritely and fun at the same time. This is the bike you want to take out for a leisurely Sunday cruise. Should you get the need for speed, stand up and sprint and the stately frame responds in a flash of fun and class. No twitching or hesitations here. Nevermind my descriptions though, you have to ride it to understand. I sense a new tag-line coming on... "It's a Guv'nor thing, you wouldn't understand".
Condition
This bike has been ridden less than 100 miles, and is in excellent condition. It rides just like new, and unless you look close looks brand new. The frame has some micro-scratches and light clear coat scuffs, but nothing major enough worth noting. These should easily buff out with a coat of wax and some elbow grease. The rims have a few small (1-2mm max) paint chips. Original tires have easily 90% tread left.
Componentry
- Frame: Reynolds 531 lugged steel
- Saddle: Brooks B17 Titanium rails, large rivets, antique brown. (retails for $310)
- Grips: Brooks leather
- Hubs: Sturmey Archer X-RD3/X-FD 3-speed with drum brakes
- Rims: 28″ (ISO 635) Westwood profile
- Handlebars: Northroad
- Crankset: Sugino XD-2, 42t chainring
- Tires: Schwalbe Delta Cruisers, cream, 40-635 (28″ English x 1.5″), uses standard 700x38 tubes
- pedals: MKS Sylvan Stream, rat-trap style, polished
- MSRP: $1700