Philbrook cycles

[Westy Pre-Lit]

Anybody here remember, had or still owns a Philbrook bike ? Must be a very rare item these days. I know it was quite a few years since he died and the shop long gone but there's only a handful of pictures on the internet. Does anybody have any they would like to share ?

Was thinking the other day about how much time we used to spend in that small place drink cups of tea and chatting, wishing that one day we could afford and own a hand-built bike made by Bill Philbrook. Each and every one was beautifully crafted and a work of art as far as I was concerned.

My friends parents had a short wheelbase tandam of his, which my mate and I used to time-trial and track from time to time. I remember once snapping a chain about about 65mph and looking down at the floor watching this thing flap about ready at any time trap itself under the rear wheel. Apparently my language was rather 'choice' at the time.

[anonymous-user]

"just another frame builder" sounds a bit derisory and isnt meant to but the fact is that back in those sort of days, there were hunderds! maybe one or two for sale at Hilary Stone?

good info source here: http://classicrendezvous.com/British_isles/Philbro...

[Mark mann]

I have recently taken possession of a philbrook tandem
Doe anyone on here know anything about the history if philbrook cycles?
This is the frame number....any info or help would be greatly appreciated. ..

[steve2]

I started work at Halfords in Gillingham High Street in 1976 and Philbrookes was just around the corner.
He was a really nice man and helped me sort out my fixed wheel bike when something went wrong with the brake mechanism, always remember how light his bikes were compared to the Raleigh ones we used to sell.

[Westy Pre-Lit]

Mark mann said:

Does anyone on here know anything about the history if philbrook cycles?.

Have a look here http://www.medwayvelo.org.uk or if you're on Facebook it maybe worth posting here.

https://www.facebook.com/Medwayvelo/

The Guy who worked with him and took over his shop is called Rod Kennison and I believe he still belongs to the club. I'm sure I still see him riding around from time to time. Rod later opened Victory Cycles in Rainham and I think it was eventually run by one of his sons Rob or Richard, I can't remember which now.

Somebody should be able to give you plenty of info from there anyway.

Hope that helps.

[PBSchodield]

Hello.
A bit of a late response here, I've just seen your post.
My wife and I own a vintage Phil Brook tandem.
It is bronze.
It is a short wheelbase.
It's got a whopping 60 toothed 'big ring'. (TA)
Only 10 speed though....it's got the original 5 speed block.
The rims are concaved 27inch wheels.
We've owned it for about 27 years!
I put a drum brake on the front wheel.
We've had loads of fun on it too.