The return of Chater-Lea?
 

This rather enigmatic website has popped up: Chater-Lea | Classic British Bicycle Components

Anyone have further information?

Best case scenario: it's an engineering firm manufacturing vintage-style components to modern standards.
Worst case scenario: it's a distributor of Chater-Lea branded merchandise.

(For those who don't know, Chater-Lea was founded in 1890 and manufactured top-notch bike components until the 1960's. Collectors have a particular fondness for vintage Chater-Lea parts.)

No, but I like the photo on their homepage.

I hadn't heard of them before, but they did pop up on Instagram for me.

https://www.instagram.com/chaterlea/

Looks like someone is trying to revive the brand, but as [MENTION=304131]realsteel[/MENTION] said, it could be positive or negative.

Looks like the countryside around Bath.

Man, I'd love to ride that road.

Wow! We'll have to keep an eye on this website. Very heartening.

Yes, the English have a way of preserving and sculpting their countryside in some areas. I rode on roads like that in the British Isles in 1981. It really is that amazing.

Of course, there are some amazing landscapes in every corner of the planet.

Does this signal the return of the cottered crank set as a top end item?

Yeah, ditto, until you forget the proper side of the road, and some bloke from the pub comes screaming 'round the bend. ;)

I certainly hope so, but it will take some first class engineering and manufacturing for me to buy into it. Hopefully it will not be rebranded knock off components, that marque does not deserve to be degraded in that manner. We shall see, into the breach once more.....

Bill

My experience (2011) is that there is no wrong side on the road, at least on the back roads outside the larger urban areas, as they are still mostly single lane roads.

Add to that, in a lot of places these single lane roads are lined with hedges. The hedges are as old as the roads, neatly trimmed, home to countless birds and badgers and hedgehogs, impenetrable to sheep. I rode through some of Kent last winter, and I had the distinct impression of riding through a beautiful countryside, but for the most part all I saw was the hedges.

"No matter what country your in , drive in the middle of the road" Paul Rodriguez

I don't think you'll see any real commitment to the old inventory, after all, it was almost all (lovely) chromed steel or nickel plate. We'll see components that compliment TA/VO products updated for modern drivetrains.

Still a very good thing.

Yeah, although notice that the pic was taken on the one sunny day of the year, ;)

Really awesome hiking as well as well as fine cycling country; the UK has some of the finest walking country I've seen. Plus there's a lot to be said for having a pub at the end of a walk, :love:

I hope it's not going to be Rebranded Taiwanese JUNK.

The Taiwanese are capable of making very good product. However, the bottom of the webpage states "Made in Great Britain", implying UK manufactured products. Regardless of the source, the results will depend on the design and standards set by the engineers and marketers. It could still be low end product, depending on the market they are targeting. Conversely, it could be high end but you'll pay for it. We'll just have to wait and see.

And there's no indication what they're thinking. My guess is it'll be a motorcycle.

Wake up. It's the year 2017. I remember when Taiwan-made stuff was junky. I haven't seen anything made there lately that isn't top notch. There is a lot of advanced R&D going on there. They have consortiums partly funded by the government so they can be cutting edge and competitive with other countries' industries. They have some of the most advanced electronic sensors in the world.

+1 to the life list.

I hope that it is some new takes on classic components' designs, say using contemporary materials where they are an improvement. Nice cranksets and brake calipers with polished alloy finishes, quill stems, good useful bends for various bar shapes like clean classic drops, Lauterwasser type, randonneurs, etc. even saddles and tires/rims, hubs, etc.

One can hope and dream, that is still free, I hope.

Well, it is in my household. However, I know of some where it can cost you dearly, if the spouse finds out what you are dreaming about.

My thoughts exactly.

It's probably to much to hope for derailleurs or brakes but simpler items in aluminium, titanium and stainless would be very welcome.

I think I'm safe in that department, I married the girl I dreamed about, and still do dream about her:thumb:. Not ever losing that blessing;)

The free part of dreaming will be taxed soon, everything else already is:rolleyes: I guess I better get to it so I don't receive a tax bill.


Yep, I was pruely dreaming about the crankset and calipers. If some nice looking quill stems and aluminum drop bars came forth it would be great, to me.

Bill

My first thought.