Pashley Roadfinder

[bladerrw]

I thinking of getting one these:

https://www.pashley.co.uk/products/roadfinder

Either the standard or X version

I live in the Cotswolds and like to ride around the quiet country roads which are in a terrible state these days and it feels like a matter of time before I hit a pothole in my current carbon frame, 23 tyres, road bike. There’s opportunities for exploring bridleways, towpaths etc and now I’ve got some time, I’d like to do some touring.

So what appeals to me about the Pashley is:
British built
Steel
Nice components
Mudguard and rack options

Any opinions on the general quality, specs, pricing, other bikes to consider?

Pricing seems a bit juicy, especially with wireless Ultegra, but I am prepared to pay a premium for British. My wife has a Pashley which is beautifully built if heavy.

I’m going to the Stratford on Avon centre to have a demo ride.

Cheers

[dontlookdown]

They have (or at least used to have) a rep for building bullet proof but v heavy bikes in the days when Posties still rode bikes occasionally, the bikes they rode were Pashleys.

They seemed indestructible even in the hands of people who when driving could reduce a Post Office Sherpa van to scrap in short order.

Good quality steel is a lovely material to make bike frames out of, even if not exactly cutting edge. Nice compliant quality and v long lasting. You might find you get more of a sweat on going up those Cotswolds hills than on your carbon bike though!

[bladerrw]

Read a review which said this a new move upmarket for Pashley. A step away from their traditional stuff.

They have a new designer from Boardman and Ribble.

[Ladders]

Not a new designer (although might have brought one with him), but they have a new CEO who worked at Boardman, then Ribble.

I used to go Uni with him so I can confirm he’s a diehard roadie (and trackie, etc etc), so I should imagine anything he has introduced will be pretty good! Very tempted by one myself.

[Squadrone Rosso]

They look gorgeous. The X version is right up my street. Perhaps next time I buy a bike……..

[WPA]

Are they actually making the frames in the UK?

So many other choices available for that money

[Your Dad]

WPA said:

Are they actually making the frames in the UK?

Yes, they are.

[Rewtle Litand]

Looks pretty decent, and so is the Roadfinder-X......which is more of an 'All Road'/ Gravel bike. Puts it in the territory of the Fairlight Secan/ Strael.....

I haven't seen any video reviews from Bike Radar, Roadcc, Dave Arthur or GCN, but that's no surprise, as it's not a WT race bike.......

[WPA]

Your Dad said:

WPA said:

Are they actually making the frames in the UK?

Yes, they are.

Interesting, all the need to do now is shake off the hipster and moustache image.

As I said so many better choices available

Genesis CDF is a steel frame, love mine

[InitialDave]

WPA said:

Interesting, all the need to do now is shake off the hipster and moustache image.

Pashley always makes me think of the 90s 26MHz trials bike.

[Baroque attacks]

InitialDave said:

WPA said:

Interesting, all the need to do now is shake off the hipster and moustache image.

Pashley always makes me think of the 90s 26MHz trials bike.

Is that where the TV tshirt came from? Can’t remember.




ETA- I have a Cotic escapade, similar - steel, UK etc

[InitialDave]

Yup!

[Zio Di Roma]

Squadrone Rosso said:

They look gorgeous. The X version is right up my street. Perhaps next time I buy a bike……..

Yes, but is it worth three grand?

[mattvanders]

I use to work at an oil refinery and use to have one of their bikes for getting around on with a 25kg tool bag in the basket.

Tour-de-refinery racing, great times

[Daveyraveygravey]

Mason and Fairlight immediately spring to mind for this. And Kinesis.

I just got a Specialized Diverge from Ebay for the kind of riding you describe. It isn't off road enough for a full on descent of the South Downs, but there are just enough gravel-ish trails to mean I don't have to go far on the knackered roads.

[bladerrw]

Daveyraveygravey said:

Mason and Fairlight immediately spring to mind for this. And Kinesis.

I just got a Specialized Diverge from Ebay for the kind of riding you describe. It isn't off road enough for a full on descent of the South Downs, but there are just enough gravel-ish trails to mean I don't have to go far on the knackered roads.

Thanks for this, I’ll have a look at them.

Genesis CDF does look good as well, but not much cheaper with similar specs and lacking the Pashley USP of being made fairly locally to me which I quite like.

Next stage is to look at the Pashley in relation to life.

Edited by bladerrw on Tuesday 25th February 13:25

[Portofino]

Nice looking bike but I’ve always found steel frames rather lumbering & lacking zip which means they steamroll over most surfaces. This then gets confused with comfort which is meant to be their plus point, but really they lack feedback.

[Shinysideup]

InitialDave said:

WPA said:

Interesting, all the need to do now is shake off the hipster and moustache image.

Pashley always makes me think of the 90s 26MHz trials bike.

26Mhz trials is exactly where my mind jumps to after hearing of Pashley.

[Zio Di Roma]

Portofino said:

Nice looking bike but I’ve always found steel frames rather lumbering & lacking zip which means they steamroll over most surfaces. This then gets confused with comfort which is meant to be their plus point, but really they lack feedback.

A really good steel frame is exactly the opposite of what you describe. Far nicer than ally. The bike in the OP won’t be that sort of frame though, I am talking about custom built.

[Barchettaman]

You won’t get that lovely springy ride from a steel frame with a carbon fork.

That sensation comes from the fore-aft deflection of the steel fork blades whilst riding.

There are lots of reasons to buy that Pashley but the whole ‘steel is real’ riding experience isn’t one of them.



My 1985 Merckx Corsa Extra with steel fork and modern group set is an absolute dream to ride.

Having looked at your requirements I would start searching for a Dawes Galaxy in really nice condition s/h for a couple of hundred quid.