Bike built to last.

[Ferg]

I don't think I've posted in here before. I have a 531 tourer by John Fern, but...

Today I nipped 'round to see my recuperating Mum and decided to make the short trip by bike. Since my own was submerged under everyone else's I took my son's. Sadly the tyre came off the rim..(!!!?) when I was nearly there, so I limped the rest of the way. Unable to sort it out, I decided to borrow Dad's bike for the retun journey, as pictured.
Although it has been 'modernised' in some places it's basically the same bike built specifically for my Dad as a present for his 21st birthday by A.S.Gillott of Camberwell in 1949 in 531 with the Fleur-de-Lys lugs.. The only significant change from it's '49 specification is the use of the 'Mayes' bars in place of it's original 'South-of-France' bars. It's main feature specified by Dad when they measured him up was the slightly raised bottom bracket (for the time) to make it easier to lean into corners whilst pedaling.
Gillott were bought out by Edwardes in '63 and bikes bore the name until 2001. Dad hasn't ridden it for a few years, but then he's 84 and a little unsteady.

Edited by Ferg on Monday 28th May 16:55

[MadDad]

Lovely, and a lovely story to boot! I would be quite proud of trundling around on that!

Friend at work has his fathers 1953 Raleigh Lenton, also in totally original (very used), condition. Having peddled it around the block it really I gained a new found respect for the racers and long distance cyclists of old, true men of steel!!!!

[Ferg]

Funny thing is, Lee, that it's so lovely to ride. Granted it's had a derailleur upgrade, but even so those gorgeous Campag hubs and the simplicity of the FIVE gear make it silent on the move and I swear it's lighter than my 531 machine.

[MadDad]

I sold a very early Dawes Super Galaxy last year as my fleet of bikes had grown too big for the garage (according to the missus). Although It was slightly too big for me, and a tad heavier than my current road bike it was without doubt the most comfortable bike I have owned - and everything 'just worked'. I was never going to set any land speed records with it, and going up long hills required a little extra effort, but I would spin along in the saddle until my heart was content with very little road buzz and the sense of riding a modern-ish classic.

I really regret selling it..........

[AnotherClarkey]

I was out on my 1965 Moulton this weekend - a wonderfully civilised and smooth ride from a nearly 50 year old full suspension bike.

[Watchman]

Since my Dad died, I have so many questions I wish I could ask him. I would like to know what happened to his bike which he rode all around the UK on. The pic is from ~1959:



I also want to know what was going-on with his seat-angle.

Check out the lights. In today's super-bright lightweight LED-lit world, it's hard to remember the days when bike lights weighed a kilo (or 2.2Lbs) and would only light-up the road for the (very) few feet directly in front of the front wheel.

[Kermit power]

Watchman said:

I also want to know what was going-on with his seat-angle.

I suspect over the years it has been gradually pulled down by the weight of what looks to be a Shetland pony tent tethered underneath it!

[julianm]

Lovely bike & now pretty valuable, so lock it up well. I think you`d find this interesting:
http://www.classiclightweights.co.uk/gillott2.html
& there are further links to Gillott enthusiasts. Keep riding it!