Chas Roberts - advice please
Spencer Bullen
in the next couple of months I hope to come into a couple of ŁK, and was
planning on investing in a new bike or two. One option was a Chas Roberts
Audax. I must admit since their Cycle + review I have been hooked, and
regularly drool over a mate's custom bike in the back yard at work when he
isn't looking.
What I ask is the following: 1) are his bikes as good as I have heard? 2)
does he work with Shimano gears as I am an STI addict or is he Campag only?
3) does he have a website?
I could spend my impending windfall on a Dawes Audax Giro and still have
Ł600 toward an MTB and have change from the Ł1.2K cost of a Roberts, and
would like your advice.
T.T.F.N.
SPENNY
Simon Brooks
neat. It seems well put together and handles well. I also have a Rouke,
a hand built Raleigh and a Cougar and would say the same about them. I
would also consider Corrado, Phil Donohue and Terry Dolan. I hear good
things about them.
I do not know of a web site for Roberts.
I could not tell you whether he prefers Campag to Shimano, I just went
for a frame from him, not a built up machine.
I am not sure if this helps, maybe I have complicated things!
--
Simon Brooks
Sent via Deja.com http://www.deja.com/
Before you buy.
Richard Smith
"Spencer Bullen" <spe...@miskatonic.f9.xxxco.uk> wrote:
> 1) are his bikes as good as I have heard?
I was very pleased with the rebuild he did for me last summer, and I have
heard nothing but praise from other users.
> 2) does he work with Shimano gears as I am an STI addict or is he Campag
> only?
I'm sure he uses either. IMHO addictions are a Bad Thing, especially when
they're for the wrong thing...:-)
> 3) does he have a website?
I don't think so but I may be wrong.
Richard
--
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Richard Smith ric...@risctex.demon.co.uk
Acorn StrongARM Risc PC http://www.risctex.demon.co.uk
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Myra Van Inwegen
>in the next couple of months I hope to come into a couple of ŁK, and was
>planning on investing in a new bike or two. One option was a Chas Roberts
>Audax. I must admit since their Cycle + review I have been hooked, and
>regularly drool over a mate's custom bike in the back yard at work when he
>isn't looking.
>
My experience with Chas Roberts is a) My boyfriend has a Roberts
Clubman touring bike b) I have a Roberts Rought Stuff c) I testes a
Compact Clubman Audax-style bike for Cycling Plus a few months ago.
I'm very impressed with all of these bikes. Well, I haven't ridden my
boyfriend's bike (it's way too big) but he says it has a much nicer
ride (much better handling, makes him feel more confident on corners)
than his old bike (a Super Galaxy). With both the Compact Clubman and
Rough Stuff, they had a very smooth, shock absorbing ride*, while
still handling very predictably, doing exactly what I wanted them to
do. I don't hestitate to ride for long periods of time with my hands
on the tops of the handlebars, near the stem.
> 2) does he work with Shimano gears as I am an STI addict or is he
> Campag only?
He'll do whatever you like. He prefers the Campag shifters because
they allow the use of a bar bag -- the cables on the Shimano STI units
get in the way. (You can fiddle a way around that, but the solutions
are never ideal.) But if you aren't planning on using a bar bag and
want Shimano stuff, he'll be quite happy to install it. It's all down
to what you want really.
My Rough Stuff and my boyfriend's Clubman have Shimano equipment with
Ultegra bar-end shifters. But then we just got the bare frames and
built them up with our choice of components later. Since many of these
components were used, and not too expensive to begin with (bar end
shifters as opposed to STI or Campag Ergo) we saved some money this
way.
>3) does he have a website?
Yes, but is basically says "this website is under construction".
Phone them up at 0181 684 3370 to ask for info. They're happy to talk
to you.
>I could spend my impending windfall on a Dawes Audax Giro and still have
>Ł600 toward an MTB and have change from the Ł1.2K cost of a Roberts, and
>would like your advice.
This is also tempting option. MTBing is fun, and for 600 quid you
could get quite a nice one! Do a Deja News search for comments on the
Dawes Audax Giro -- Richard Griffin in particular had made some useful
comments on it.
--
-Myra VanInwegen
Myra.Va...@cl.cam.ac.uk http://www.cl.cam.ac.uk/~mvi20/bike/
Myra Van Inwegen
With both the Compact Clubman and
>Rough Stuff, they had a very smooth, shock absorbing ride*
I forgot to provide the footnote.
*There's been alot of discussion here about whether it's possible for
frames to help cushion a ride. Some argue that since the frame is very
stiff vertically, it can't help absorb shock. Others, who feel great
differences on the shock absorbing capability of different bikes,
argue that it can. I come in firmly in the second camp. There are ways
that bike frames can help lessen the impact of bumps, even if they are
vertically rigid. Among them are wheelbase, rider position, and
damping of some fequencies of vibration.
Stuart Stebbings
"Spencer Bullen" <spe...@miskatonic.f9.xxxco.uk> wrote:
> Hello there,
>
> in the next couple of months I hope to come into a couple of ŁK, and
was
> planning on investing in a new bike or two. One option was a Chas
Roberts
> Audax. I must admit since their Cycle + review I have been hooked,
and
> regularly drool over a mate's custom bike in the back yard at work
when he
> isn't looking.
>
> What I ask is the following: 1) are his bikes as good as I have
> does he work with Shimano gears as I am an STI addict or is he Campag
only?
>
have
> Ł600 toward an MTB and have change from the Ł1.2K cost of a Roberts,
and
> would like your advice.
>
>
> SPENNY
>
>
As with any builder you will hear good and bad stories. The stories you
hear about Roberts are mainly good. A clubmate of mine has a Roberts
Time Trial frame. Nice work. Bit pricey, but hey its only money.
There are only two things are would say:
1) Chas is a very silly name!! <grin>
2) The journey to Roberts in Croyden is a nightmare. Getting in and out
Croyden is not easy at the best of times, so if you can get away without
going there, all the better.
Good luck.
--
Stuart Stebbings
Myra Van Inwegen
>2) The journey to Roberts in Croyden is a nightmare. Getting in and out
>Croyden is not easy at the best of times, so if you can get away without
>going there, all the better.
It certainly is a pain to get to. However, I'd recommend at least one
trip, to get properly measured up, to specify the braze-ons, and to
choose a color. My method of choosing a color was to look at all the
bikes in the shop and choose the color that I thought was the
prettiest (flamboyant blue, as it turns out). They're happy to send
frames and bikes out by shipping company, all boxed up. This is
definitely preferable to going down there to collect it.
Unknown
frame and 9 speed Ultegra, STI and flightdeck.
Even having ridden many bikes over many years this one was a
revelation:
- fit is just right - no aches after long distances
- frame is stiff laterally - encourages even me to stand up on climbs
- seems to track precisely - easy to go faster downhill.
2) He uses appropriate gears and bits - I've seen Campag and Shimano.
He specified a Stronglight headset on my bike in preference to the
Shimano version and a TA crank on my wife's to get the correct crank
length.
3) We talked about websites - he didn't have one in May although he
was thinking about it. If you can - go and see him
My view: Wish I'd bought one years ago, forget the Dawes!
On Mon, 3 Jan 2000 23:24:07 -0000, "Spencer Bullen"
CLIVE
I have had two frames from Chas both have been well made (one replacing
the other which was stolen.).
The first frame Chas built up for me, the second was built up by my LBS .
If was getting another frame I would look at some of the other builders
round the country to find the most experienced builder of the frame type
I want .
My LBS was very helpful recommending parts often less expensive than the
ones I would have chosen also I feel the after sale service was better
than from Chas mainly because Chas is a frame builder not a bike shop
,and buys parts ect locally as required only caring a small stock in his
work shop (if you want special parts take them with you for Chas to
fit) and I have more of a long term relationship with my LBS.
Cheers
Clive
Spencer Bullen wrote:
> in the next couple of months I hope to come into a couple of ŁK, and was
> planning on investing in a new bike or two. One option was a Chas Roberts
> Audax. _
Kim Tame
>1) are his bikes as good as I have heard?
I purchased an Roberts Audax bike frame last year and it is very impressive.
I would suggest paying a bit extra for top end tubing either Reynolds 853 or
Columbus Nivacrom. As it is custom built the option for braze-ons include
pump, dynamo, racks, mudguards etc are almost un-limited. The hardest part
is choosing the colour design.
>2)does he work with Shimano gears as I am an STI addict or is he Campag
only?
The choice is yours. He will buy in whatever running gear bits you want or
alternatively just purchase the frame and fit you own group set.
>3) does he have a website?
Probably not. However, the catalog is better than any website so give them
a ring for it.
Hope this helps a little.
Regards
Roger
>
> Hello there,
>
> in the next couple of months I hope to come into a couple of ŁK, and was
> planning on investing in a new bike or two. One option was a Chas Roberts
> regularly drool over a mate's custom bike in the back yard at work when he
> isn't looking.
>
> does he work with Shimano gears as I am an STI addict or is he Campag only?
>
> Ł600 toward an MTB and have change from the Ł1.2K cost of a Roberts, and
> would like your advice.
Have a look at a Thorn Audax too (Ł899 at the moment), if they do one in
your size.
--
Roger
Web: http://freespace.virgin.net/roger.cantwell
ICQ: 40038278
*** Please remove 'filler' from the Reply address ***
Tim Hall
Inwegen) wrote:
>Stuart Stebbings <ste...@uk.ibm.com> wrote:
>>2) The journey to Roberts in Croyden is a nightmare. Getting in and out
>>Croyden is not easy at the best of times, so if you can get away without
>>going there, all the better.
>
>It certainly is a pain to get to. However, I'd recommend at least one
>trip, to get properly measured up, to specify the braze-ons, and to
>choose a color.
Shirley it's not too far from East Croydon station. Bung your existing
bike on a train and combined with an AtoZ, you're there before you
know it.
Or ask a policeman. ;-)
Tim
Peter Headland
> Croyden is not easy at the best of times, so if you can get away without
> going there, all the better.
No, no, no! Having a custom frame built without visiting the builder at
least once is like telephone sex.
I just got back from an hour-long chat with George Longstaff about the
revisions I made to the design he produced in response to my 2.5-hour
fitting and initial discussion. I plan to visit again to settle a debate we
are having about fork geometry - he ended the discussion by saying "I'll
build the fork I think is right before I start the frame and you come and
tell me if you disagree with it once you are holding it your hands; I'll
make another one if you don't like it". At his recommendation I'll visit
again to see the frame when it is complete but unpainted, not because I
think the paint will hide any defects but because it gives me one last
chance to check/change the braze-ons.
I don't think every bit of GL's advice is based on perfect science - for one
thing he honestly believes that 725 rides differently to 531 ("725 is
stiffer") of identical diameter and gauges, which is hogwash. But he has
built a lot of frames down the years, so, whatever the reasoning he offers,
it's hard to argue with the solutions he suggests (didn't stop me, of course
;-) ).
--
Peter Headland, Matrix Link, UK
Pe...@matrixlink.com
http://www.matrixlink.com/
David Cowie
<spe...@miskatonic.f9.xxxco.uk> wrote:
>What I ask is the following: 1) are his bikes as good as I have heard? 2)
>does he work with Shimano gears as I am an STI addict or is he Campag only?
>3) does he have a website?
1) CR Race bike
2) CR Audax for commuting & winter training
3) A CR being built in my mind and to be ordered in the near future !
= V/Happy
David Cowie, London, England
SA Cycling - http://users.iafrica.com/s/sc/scowie
Twickenham CC - http://www.twickenhamcc.co.uk
"Some people cycle to work, I work to cycle"
Charlie Spackman
Spencer Bullen <spe...@miskatonic.f9.xxxco.uk> wrote:
>What I ask is the following: 1) are his bikes as good as I have heard? 2)
>does he work with Shimano gears as I am an STI addict or is he Campag only?
>3) does he have a website?
>
and bought mine 3 years ago.
The frame and finish is IMO top quality.
The advantage of buying a custom bike is that you can specify exactly what you
want.
Stuart Stebbings
"Peter Headland" <Pe...@matrixlink.com> wrote:
> > 2) The journey to Roberts in Croyden is a nightmare. Getting in and
out
> > Croyden is not easy at the best of times, so if you can get away
without
> > going there, all the better.
I was saying this slightly tongue in cheek, as Croyden is terrible for
traffic.
>
> No, no, no! Having a custom frame built without visiting the builder
>at least once is like telephone sex.
Errr How do you know its like Telephone sex? eh??
So you are the one who phones those 0898 numbers you see in the Sunday
tabloids.? <grin>
> Peter Headland, Matrix Link, UK
> Pe...@matrixlink.com
> http://www.matrixlink.com/
>
>
I do agree with you. You do need to visit the builder. When I had my
deMayo built to race on last year, I was at Chas May's place for 3.5
hours. (There is that stupid name again!)
A damn fine fellow, good track rider too.
John Buckley
>
> Stuart Stebbings <ste...@uk.ibm.com> wrote:
> >2) The journey to Roberts in Croyden is a nightmare. Getting in and out
> >Croyden is not easy at the best of times, so if you can get away without
> >going there, all the better.
>
Not from here, but I suppose it depends where you are travelling from.
And by what method.
If you can get into London by train its a doddle.
Last February I ordered an Audax and my wife a Compact Clubman. We
travelled by SWT (from mid-Hampshire) to Waterloo, walked across to
Waterloo East and caught the East Croydon service. It was then a brisk
walk to Roberts. As our 4-year old daughter easily managed it I'm sure
most others could.
A few weeks later we did the journey again but this time had two custom
built cycles with us on the return journey. Easy.
> However, I'd recommend at least one
> trip, to get properly measured up, to specify the braze-ons, and to
> choose a color.
I would say it is absolutely essential to visit any framebuilder who is
building a custom machine for you. To do otherwise is asking for
trouble.
The care, attention and advice given to us was exceptional and even
though I've had several custom built machines in the past none have
ridden so well as the Roberts.
> They're happy to send
> frames and bikes out by shipping company, all boxed up. This is
> definitely preferable to going down there to collect it.
Little is more enjoyable than seeing your shiny new machine being
wheeled out from the Roberts workshop. Infinitely more pleasurable than
extracting it from a box.
But if you want to trust courier companies....
John Buckley
si...@blinkyfish.freeserve.co.uk
[useful stuff snipped]
: Little is more enjoyable than seeing your shiny new machine being
: wheeled out from the Roberts workshop. Infinitely more pleasurable than
: extracting it from a box.
:
: But if you want to trust courier companies....
If the frame is well packed at the builders end, shipping by courier
shouldn't pose any problems - I had my Dave Yates Audax frame delivered to
my LBS and to say it was well packed would be something of an
understatement (never seen so much bubble-wrap ...) and it was unscathed
as far as I could see (not that Newcastle-York is a long way of course)
Bear in mind, though, that I ordered frame and forks only, *not* a
complete bike. In the latter case I'd say it would be preferable (and
cheaper?) to collect the bike personally, by whatever means. In a lot of
cases (certainly the case with my DY) the final price may included
shipping of the frame/bike by courier - YMMV of course.
Simon
--
Dr Simon Ward, Department of Electronics, University of York, YO10 5DD, UK
Email: si...@blinkyfish.freeserve.co.uk (pref'd) Phone: +44 (0)1904 432398
Web: http://www.blinkyfish.freeserve.co.uk/ [Observe the Reply-To header]
"In the satisfaction stakes it's like sitting on the number 9 bus" - PWEI
Peter Headland
top-quality frame builders: When I apologised to GL for radically changing
the design he proposed (I felt I wasn't sufficiently well-prepared with what
I wanted when I went for the initial fitting), he responded "don't worry
about that - the first drawing is just to get your mind working; it's quite
normal to do a second drawing."
--
Myra Van Inwegen
>[getting to Chas Roberts]
>If you can get into London by train its a doddle.
>Last February I ordered an Audax and my wife a Compact Clubman. We
>travelled by SWT (from mid-Hampshire) to Waterloo, walked across to
>Waterloo East and caught the East Croydon service. It was then a brisk
>walk to Roberts. As our 4-year old daughter easily managed it I'm sure
>most others could.
I come from Cambridge. It's one hour to get to London Kings Cross, and
then another full hour to do the train to East Croydon then walk to
the shop. Tedious!
>I would say it is absolutely essential to visit any framebuilder who is
>building a custom machine for you. To do otherwise is asking for
>trouble.
Yup!
>Little is more enjoyable than seeing your shiny new machine being
>wheeled out from the Roberts workshop. Infinitely more pleasurable than
>extracting it from a box.
I find it infinitely more pleasurable to have the nice man from XYZ
couriers deliver it bright and early as I'm eating breakfast, rather
than do the four hour round trip to Croydon.
>But if you want to trust courier companies....
I've received 6 bikes in boxes, the four I tested for Cycling Plus, my
own Roberts Rough Stuff frame, and a cheap MTB (Scott Tigua). All
arrived without any damage.
Actually the Roberts Compact Clubmen (a test bike) and Rough Stuff
were by far the best packed up. I wouldn't hesitate to recieve another
frame or bike from Roberts in a box.
(I'm continually tempted to get Roberts to build me a MTB frame, so
it's not inconceivable that I'll get another one from him.)
John Buckley
> I come from Cambridge. It's one hour to get to London Kings Cross,
Approx 50 minutes.
> then another full hour to do the train to East Croydon
Victoria to East Croydon is 15 minutes.
From Waterloo East its 24 minutes
There was no need to exagerate.
> then walk to the shop. Tedious!
And you don't like walking either?
Of course cycling would be better, but you would be able to ride back
once you had picked up the bike.
> >Little is more enjoyable than seeing your shiny new machine being
> >wheeled out from the Roberts workshop. Infinitely more pleasurable than
> >extracting it from a box.
>
> I find it infinitely more pleasurable to have the nice man from XYZ
> couriers deliver it bright and early as I'm eating breakfast, rather
> than do the four hour round trip to Croydon.
And can you personally thank the framebuilder at the same time?
Or do you especially like this delivery man ;-)
> I've received 6 bikes in boxes, the four I tested for Cycling Plus, my
> own Roberts Rough Stuff frame, and a cheap MTB (Scott Tigua). All
> arrived without any damage.
Although I have no experience of bikes being couriered other experiences
lead me to think you may have been lucky.
> Actually the Roberts Compact Clubmen (a test bike) and Rough Stuff
> were by far the best packed up. I wouldn't hesitate to recieve another
> frame or bike from Roberts in a box.
But even better to ride it away from the workshop :-)
John Buckley
(Who is feeling argumentative) as a delivery yesterday was damaged!
Myra Van Inwegen
>And you don't like walking either?
I do, but the scenery between the East Croyen station and Roberts'
shop is less than inspiring!
>John Buckley
>(Who is feeling argumentative) as a delivery yesterday was damaged!
Ah, I understand! Hope you get it fixed without problem.
Dudley
In MBI of May 1995, there was an article devoted to the Roberts Genesis.
The bike looked like what I considered a MTB should look like. Not only
that it would be easy for me to get there as almost all frame builders are
up north as I lived then in the Netherlands. I visited Chas. Roberts in
February half term 1997. I combined it with a three day trip to London with
my wife. Nice hotel over looking Hyde Park and railfare included. As has
been said the walk from the rail station to the shop is not all that
brilliant, but it is a working part of London and isn't for grockles.
I collected my Genesis in the April on my return from the continent. That
was easy, quick exit from the M25 and follow the A-Z. Though I did find
Croyden a bit of a jam. Then return to the M25 by the same way in.
What you want to know is, is it worth having a custom bike? Yes it is, the
bike fits like a glove and is a pleasure to ride. I had it fitted out with
Shimano LX97, if I had built it up myself then I could have saved some
money, but as it was a present from me to me, I didn't worry about the cost.
Looking at a video recording from Eurosport, what I got in 1997 component
wise was better than pros were using the previous year.
It certainly makes other cyclists take a second look, here on the continent
you won't see many, Roberts bikes that is.
Hope you make the right choice, I know I did.
Dudley
"Happiness is a well worn Brooks."
Grace Inwood
country rail. Half hourly services from Bedford linking from north east and
Midlands, hourly services from Milton Keynes linking scotland and north west
england. After the station it on local bus route. Also biking distance, no more
than 2 miles. Its also Spelt CROYDON.
I have heard very good report about chas roberts cycles. I both my father adn
brother had a chas roberts bike in the past. If I had the money I would
consider going to Chas roberts for a customs made bike for myself.
Grace from Milton Keynes
PS I was brought in Croydon and now live in Milton Keynes.