A Tale of Two Bikes
When my reliable, seven year old commuter bike developed a crack the size of the Nile in the frame, I was as sick as a parrot until I realised I had an excuse to buy a new bike. Immediately I toyed with fixed gears, couriers, foldables - everything was possible. Typically, however, I knew that I wanted something unfashionable - I don't want to be able to pull off a fixed and they're just not comfy enough.
Hankering after something classic and practical I stumbled upon Pashley's 'Guv'nor' - and got one sent up from my local shop's Manchester store to test ride. It was a head turner as soon as it was rolled out - a British icon - but a beast - heavy and tricky to steer - but still one of the most beautiful bikes I've ever seen. Even the staff were excited. Fortunately the £825 price tag was enough to dissuade me as much as a reliable friend who reminded me of the nightmare a 1935 race bike would be in city traffic.
This week, spurred on by fate, I chummed a friend along to look at a potential bike she found on Gumtree and although she wasn't sure about her shopper - I was introduced to a brown Elswick from Humberside - originally sold in Edinburgh (MacDonalds bike shop sticker is still on the frame), recovered in Ayrshire and sold once again in Edinburgh - to a man from Ayrshire.
It's a classic shape and has already has interest despite its rather uneventful traditional looks and unfashionable colour. The bike station were a great help in sourcing a seat rail vice which had corroded - they also helped tweak the stem which was dangerously high (if comfy). The front wheel cones had more play than an American football game, but Edinburgh Bike co-op generously helped right that (There's a lot of charity to be found out there if you know how to talk to people). So it still needs a little work but for £45 plus the new saddle (from charge - £25) I've got a lovely stead and a lot of spare change from £825. Result.
