Classic & Vintage - Pashley Clubman - The 3 Speed Fixed Gear Club Bike Reborn!

http://www.bikerumor.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/pashley-clubman-prototype-interbike09-01-600x501.jpg


In the late 1940s and 50s, cyclists would have club bikes equipped with the rare Sturmey Archer 3 speed ASC fixed gear hub. Next year, the club bike is being brought back by Pashley as the Clubman - equipped with what else? A Sturmey Archer 3 speed S3X fixed gear hub!

With a derailer hanger? The hipsters won't like that :p

Jokes aside, it's extremely tasteful, and the geometry looks closer to traditional road then anything else. Provided that hanger remains post-prototype, I dare say this thing might have an additional future as a geared machine.

Crankset looks gorgeous.

EDIT: I saw larger photos below. Without a doubt the most tasteful mainstream frameset I've seen for 2009:
http://www.bikerumor.com/2009/09/24/interbike-2009-pashley-clubman-3-speed-fixie-prototype/

-Kurt

A beautiful and classic looking machine for sure...
I'm a fan of geared road bikes too, but 3 speeds used to be a lot when I was a kid, and I imagine it still gets you where you want to go.

Funny because it's almost identical in design to my '08 Masi Speciale Commuter, sans the 3 spped hub. Which will probably change once that hub hits the market. That Pashley will make for a sweet Audax bike.

Funny because it's almost identical in design to my '08 Masi Speciale Commuter, sans the 3 spped hub.

Bad comparison. Completely different geometries + tig vs. lugged.

-Kurt

Bad comparison. Completely different geometries + tig vs. lugged.

-Kurt

So it may not be lugged, but it's the same steel, and I doubt there is much of a difference in geometries, but the basics are there. Long wheelbase for wide tires and fenders. A fast, multipurpose bike designed to be geared or not. And when the Pashley hits the market, there's a good chance it will have at least a front brake.

You know, I'm going to say that I actually really admire and have been ogling Pashley's Roadster 26 Soviergn.

But all their bikes seem damn expensive for what they are, maybe even overpriced.

Or maybe it's just the currency exchange rate.

-Nick

that is one pretty machine, i want one.

that's a nice looking bike but for $1895 it better come with brakes. and probably a second bike.

You know, I'm going to say that I actually really admire and have been ogling Pashley's Roadster 26 Soviergn.

But all their bikes seem damn expensive for what they are, maybe even overpriced.

Or maybe it's just the currency exchange rate.

-Nick

As well as the fact the Pashleys are still being built in England and not some low wage country. I don't know if they are building frames in house or outsourcing them. If they are building in house that price isn't bad at all. Take a look at any semi-custom built bike made in the US and the price is right up there with the Pashley.

Aaron:)

$1900, and it has a strap-on, sheet metal cable stop on the downtube? That's just tacky.

tcs

A beautiful thing, no question. Obvious quality and understated traditional style. The pulley above the BB is interesting.

Wondering what the tariff would be for a custom builder to approximate this bike? My devious mind tells me the difference in cost may not be that great, but my conscience reminds me that the result (wonderful as it would be) still wouldn't be a Pashley.

It is nice. BUt as Cudak has pointed out, why have a deraileur hanger on their? It makes the whole bike look like just another conversion. Throw on some track ends, fenders and maybe a headlight and we got ourselves a winner. I especially like the look of the crankset, Very classy.

$1900, and it has a strap-on, sheet metal cable stop on the downtube? That's just tacky.

tcs

Not tacky, old school.

Just out of curiosity: If I could find a factory built English 'clubman' style bike with an ASC hub, 531DB etc, in like new condition, would it be worth $1895?

I appreciate the appeal of the bike, at least in general. Can't say I like that crankset, though.

It is nice. BUt as Cudak has pointed out, why have a deraileur hanger on their? It makes the whole bike look like just another conversion. Throw on some track ends, fenders and maybe a headlight and we got ourselves a winner.

Tell you the truth, I'm seeing that frameset completely differently: Remove the existing wheelset and bars, and throw a NR group on it. That derailer hanger is just asking for a nice Campag RD to be hung on it.

-Kurt

Its a FG bike with classic "clubman" geometry. And we've discussed vintage models on here in the past.

The Pashley Clubman is handbuilt with the venerable tried and true Reynolds 531 moly-manganese tubing. All double-butted. A sweet ride, I'd imagine!

In the 40's and 50's many club bikes had horizontal dropouts which allowed manufacturers the ability to fit them with a variety of drives so that set up is authentic while the derailer hangar is just practical.

My 1955 Lenton could have been ordered as a three speed or as a fixed gear model... it would be very nice if it was fitted with an S3X (an ASC would be better) but in wanting to keep the bike original I will build up an S3X wheel for another one of my fixed gear bikes.

Pashley makes a beautiful bicycle and they warrant a higher price tag.

That they do - and this is built as a tribute to the club bikes of that era. I imagine it can be outfitted'
with a variety of drives. You want a classic club road bike instead of a FG? No problem.

Pashley makes bikes with timeless looks and detailed lugs unlike the TIGed weld bikes on the market today. That is more than enough reason to acquire one.

As for the pulley and cable stops on the prototype shown Pashley appears to have used standard Sturmey Archer shifting cable installation accessories such as SA has been making practically forever. Very practical even if ugly as sin.

The top stop could be replaced with the CNCd aluminum one from Rivendell.

Wonder what the rear spacing might be? It does inspire me to build my prewar Schwinn in a similar fashion. Only, I'll stick with a more traditional AW or FW hub.

Its only a prototype and the production model - if it goes into production, ought to address the aspect of it you take issue with. Very classic frame!

Wonder what the rear spacing might be?

That's a good question. If it will be sold with the SA hub, then probably 120, as SA says that the hub will be 120, but maybe a second @ 130. My concern would be if the 130 is just the 120 with a longer axel, which would make for a crappy chain line on some frames. Still, Pashley has been doing some cool stuff so I think this bike makes a lot of sense for them. I think a bit of refinement and a front brake and I'd consider it. It looks like a lot fun.

I don't know if they are building frames in house or outsourcing them.


All Pashleys are built in their Stratford-upon-Avon factory, beside the Stratford Canal.

...old school.

Yeah - old school, down market. $1900 is hardly cloth cap.

tcs

Considering how much high end bikes go for today, its a bargain.

Hi,

Very interesting indeed. I just visited John Hollands. He recently finished a Reynolds 753 Clubman. Yes, 753. SA hub, and lots of old school parts. Someone needs to convince him to post pics or commentary. I'll send him a copy of this post and invite him to join in.

His frame still needs a paint job, but it looks fantastic. After all, any bike from him would be a total custom job.

Steve

It definitely needs at least a front brake, and dual handbrakes would be a good idea.

That they do - and this is built as a tribute to the club bikes of that era. I imagine it can be outfitted'
with a variety of drives. You want a classic club road bike instead of a FG? No problem.

Pashley makes bikes with timeless looks and detailed lugs unlike the TIGed weld bikes on the market today. That is more than enough reason to acquire one.

Soma also makes very nice lugged frames.

That bike is inspirational. While I cannot afford to buy one i can use it as a template to build one. I have been itching for a bike with an internal drive now for a year.

I guess this means that the long-awaited and long-delayed three speed fixed gear hub is now available and working. Where can we buy just the hub? I have a few bikes I could put the hub on.

I guess this means that the long-awaited and long-delayed three speed fixed gear hub is now available and working. Where can we buy just the hub? I have a few bikes I could put the hub on.

Anyone for divvying up a Pashley Clubman?

-Kurt

Needs North road bars. Just sayin'...

Needs North road bars. Just sayin'...

It has them. Upside-down.

-Kurt

Are you sure those are North Roads? I'm not. The grip area looks much too short, for one thing.

I think I like the Pashley Guv'nor better. That's the look I'm going for with my latest project, but I'm using a 5 speed SA hub. The project is stalled because I can;t decide on a color.

Have they started selling those hubs yet? I tried looking but could only find information about the various options, but nothing about when they're selling them or how much they are.

Maybe they're available to bike makers before bike shops. In fact, I'd be surprised if this isn't the case. I'm sure sales of individual components are very small compared to sales of components that end up on new bikes.

Are you sure those are North Roads? I'm not. The grip area looks much too short, for one thing.

I think I like the Pashley Guv'nor better. That's the look I'm going for with my latest project, but I'm using a 5 speed SA hub. The project is stalled because I can;t decide on a color.


Maybe something like a Soma Sparrow flipped upside down. Or an Albatross with the ends cut.


The hubs are supposedly available to dealers and bike makers now but they are backordered everywhere and the BikesDirect guy won't put them on his website yet because he hasn't gotten any or a good answer on when he will get some.

The SS/FG forum has a good thread on this hub.

Considering how much high end bikes go for today, its a bargain.

I'm totally on steel's side, and also want to see more lugs in the industry.


But steel is seen as "obsolete" by most- that strikes me as a bad time to charge a premium for it.

But don't kill me for saying so, I'm on C&V's side here.

looks eerily similar to my Super Course

http://www.bikerumor.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/pashley-clubman-prototype-interbike09-01-600x501.jpg

http://www.bikeforums.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=120800&stc=1&d=1254761354


I guess I'm cool now.

To revive a thread from the dead, has ANYONE bought a Pashley Clubman and if so - what are your impressions of it?

I'm kinda disappointed really. I built essentialy an identical ride from a 531 frame and s3x hub for just a few hundred dollars, complete with leather bar wrap!

Here's my gripe- I ran the cable along the down tube, under the BB to the hub, not exactly but very simularly to the Pashley. After looking at it for a month or so, I think it would have been much cooler run along the top tube to a pulley, 3spd style. IMO the Pashley looks like it was cobbled together in a garage.

Although I'm happy to see the hanger on the Pashley for no other reason than it makes me feel better when I look at my empty hanger.

For $1,800 I'd want mud guards and mabe even a top tube quadrant shifter and brakes at least a front one.

Designed strangely enough like my Competition

174068
I guess this proves I'm shamless

It is nice. BUt as Cudak has pointed out, why have a deraileur hanger on their? It makes the whole bike look like just another conversion. Throw on some track ends, fenders and maybe a headlight and we got ourselves a winner. I especially like the look of the crankset, Very classy.

Why not have a hanger? UK riders were all about many functions from the same machine. Track ends make no sense for a road machine and make fenders very impractical. Lots of fun removing a rear fender just to fix a puncture, especially in the rain!

Oh well... its a nice bike but the general consensus a year later still seems to be, "I like the tribute to the club bikes of the 1940s and 1950s but its still too expensive to own a clubman - the one made by Pashley."

Here's my gripe- I ran the cable along the down tube, under the BB to the hub, not exactly but very simularly to the Pashley. After looking at it for a month or so, I think it would have been much cooler run along the top tube to a pulley, 3spd style. IMO the Pashley looks like it was cobbled together in a garage.

Asthetically, I think the downtube cable looks better. The downtube cable is also better for picking up the bike, since I often lift the bike with my hand under the top tube near the seat, where the top tube cable tends to interfere a bit.

But the top tube arrangement is functionally much better. Since the dropouts run approximately perpendicular to the seat stays, cable length remains constant regardless where the wheel sits in the dropouts; you can move the wheel forward or backward to adjust chain length without throwing the gears out of adjstment. Distinct advantage.

Asthetically, I think the downtube cable looks better.

Yeah, cleaner more contemporary i guess but the top tube run says vintage 3spd all over it.