Monday 13th August 2018

Morgan and Pashley Cycles team up

Fine British craftsmanship on four wheels meets the very same thing on two - these bikes are the result

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If anything, it’s a surprise that this two-wheeled collaboration between Morgan Motor Company and Pashley Cycles hasn’t happened before. Here we have two renowned British brands, both celebrated for their traditional methods and unique style on wheels, with decades of experience between them. A Pashley bike inspired by Morgan’s cars seems like an eminently logical thing to do.

Furthermore, as we all know, the only thing better than one bike is two bikes, so here we have the Pashley Morgan 3 and the Pashley Morgan 8. Revealed at this weekend’s Thrill on the Hill event, both bikes feature a fillet brazed frame using Reynolds 631 tubing and also include a custom formed top tube, the frame mounted race plate with model number and track ends with etched stainless faces.

The ‘3’ is the British Racing Green bike; it has a Sturmey Archer 3 Speed internal geared hub and a Sturmey Archer dynamo front hub (it says here). The saddle is from Brooks, the grips are honey leather (with Morgan aluminium end caps) and both mudguard and chainguard are made from walnut laminated wood veneer. Wouldn’t be a Morgan without some wood now... would it?

The Pashley Morgan 8’s grey colour scheme, like the BRG, is said to be inspired by Morgan’s race heritage. Again it features the aluminium end caps and guards fashioned from wood, but the 8 also has an 8-speed Shimano Nexus internal geared hub (with matching front dynamo hub). The saddle is again a Brooks item, albeit a Black Cambium C15 here where the 3 uses a B17.

Both bikes are being produced at Pashley’s Stratford factory now, with the bikes available to order through the Morgan factory shop or at your nearest Morgan dealership. Prices start at £1,495 for the 3, with the 8 retailing at £1,595. Hopefully like all Morgans the residual values will prove strong, therefore much of your initial outlay should return come resale time...

[Master Bean]

Bloody bicyclists.

[Ares]

Love these. Loads of fantastic bike collaborations over the years, but this is truly befitting of both brands. Old School Brit Class.

[V8 FOU]

Bit disappointed. I would have thought in keeping with Morgan tradition, they would have at least had a wooden frame.....

[hondansx]

They look really cool! As said, incorporating some ash would (geddit) have been a nice touch.

[Ares]

Problem is, quirky niche aside, wood and bikes doesn't go well.

[cookie1600]

"the grips are honey leather (with Morgan aluminium end caps)"

Nicely scuffed now where it's lent against the brick wall.

I should think twice about leaving a £70 Halfords special locked up in a public bike rack, a £1500+ cycle wouldn't go out of my sight!

[Brads67]

Ares said:

Problem is, quirky niche aside, wood and bikes doesn't go well.

Plenty wooden bikes, and some of them a bloody nice as well.

Loads of Bamboo ones as well. Just met a lady who had cycle the length of South America on a home made bamboo bike.

I agree. These are just a hipster fashion dull attempt.

[Some Gump]

Why bother fitting mudguards at all if they're going to be that useless?

[Johnspex]

Where can I buy one of those invisible stands?

[G321]

Johnspex said:

Where can I buy one of those invisible stands?

If you pay £199 into my paypal account I'll send you one next week.....

[Ares]

Brads67 said:

Ares said:

Problem is, quirky niche aside, wood and bikes doesn't go well.

Plenty wooden bikes, and some of them a bloody nice as well.

Loads of Bamboo ones as well. Just met a lady who had cycle the length of South America on a home made bamboo bike.

I agree. These are just a hipster fashion dull attempt.

See that word 'niche'?

All wooden bikes are novelty items.

[B10]

Hmmm not really so British as it seems. Brooks was bought by Italian saddle manufacturer Selle Royal and now trades on its Brutishness. Strange that we are be so unconcerned about selling our companies and live in the past. It is foreign companies who understand the appeal, value and strength of the brands. Also Sturmey Archer is owned by SunRace Taiwan and all production is there.
Having said that full marks for Pashley and Morgan still being UK owned manufacturing companies. Finally the UK is the 8th largest manufacturing country in the world yet 60% of our manufacturing business are foreign owned. This is of concern because the control, IP, tax receipts leave the country. So next time you use HP sauce ponder the fact that it is made by a US company in the Netherlands.

[Ares]

B10 said:

Hmmm not really so British as it seems. Brooks was bought by Italian saddle manufacturer Selle Royal and now trades on its Brutishness. Strange that we are be so unconcerned about selling our companies and live in the past. It is foreign companies who understand the appeal, value and strength of the brands. Also Sturmey Archer is owned by SunRace Taiwan and all production is there.
Having said that full marks for Pashley and Morgan still being UK owned manufacturing companies. Finally the UK is the 8th largest manufacturing country in the world yet 60% of our manufacturing business are foreign owned. This is of concern because the control, IP, tax receipts leave the country. So next time you use HP sauce ponder the fact that it is made by a US company in the Netherlands.

Brings the question of what is British.

Which is British? Nissan or Jaguar?

[B10]

Ares said:

Brings the question of what is British.

Which is British? Nissan or Jaguar?

They are both UK based manufacturers. Both include R&D. I would say that Jag is more British given that is UK started marque and te UK is the centre for the JLR HQ, all R&D etc..However the UK and Canada are the only G7 countries not to have their own UK centred / listed car companies. Canada has never had any of note whereas the UK has lost / flogged / underinvested / poorly managed etc them and left it to foreign companies to value them more than us.