So, you may have seen me tweeting about an exciting bike-related update coming to VCG, and last week it arrived in the form of the Clubman Urban! I’m over the moon to finally have this wonder for a review*, courtesy of Pashley.
The Clubman arrived direct from the factory in Stratford-upon-Avon, boxed-up and needing assembling. Now, I’m not going to lie – I’ve never put a bike together in my life (something I will rectify) and I wasn’t going to risk “building” the Clubman and getting it very wrong… so I owe a massive thanks to the Look Mum No Hands workshop for bringing the bike to life.
Aesthetically the Clubman is a retro thrill. The bike has a classic stripped-down look: a Reynolds 531 Frame (constructed traditionally with butted steel tubes brazed into lugs) and its simple & non-fussy ivory paint job is gorgeous. This, teamed with the chrome detailing throughout the bike makes a stunning combination.
The ‘Major Taylor’ style drop bars wrapped in brown Brooks leather tape and matching Brooks Swift Saddle are beautiful finishing touches to the bike.
Of course, aesthetics is one matter – riding a Clubman is quite another. This Urban is the S3X-3 speed fixed gear version. Before Saturday, I’d never ridden a fixie bike before…
Having been on a rather different breed of Pashley for the past two years, getting on the Clubman has started off a cycling education! Getting it in my head “no coasting… keep pedaling… do not slam on the brake” (yes, ONE brake) was my mantra for the day riding it back home. This week I’ll be commuting on the Clubman – already I can say the ride to work & back on Monday was a whole new experience…
Clearly this isn’t all I have to say or have planned on the Clubman… more detailed reviews and cycling trips will be coming up over time on here while I have her. Let this serve as an introduction to this little light beauty… and another chapter in my love affair with Pashley.
*more photos in this Flickr Set by Ian James
*The Clubman was kindly loaned to VCG for a review / test ride.
*The Clubman was kindly loaned to VCG for a review / test ride.
