The Roberts Cycles Handbuilt Bicycle Owners Club

Bye bye Roberts. I hear they close this week.

Sad times.
Glad I've had a chance to own and ride and few in the past. Thankfully miss'jammin still has one and it certainly makes my recent purchase a bit more special.
Time for all the new generation British builders to shine, I guess.

I've never had one. I was close to picking up TS's tarck frame before he went to the prison isle. Kind of wishing I did, but I have a few frames already. I seem to be more about the northern builders.

Last of the older London builders gone.

Time for the likes of Winston Vaz to get weaving. Um, mitring, brazing.

Always room for a Roberts amongst those northerners, surely!

At least he's been prolific enough for a few nice frames to still crop up, but no doubt people might think twice now.

Must admit, I'd find it hard to turn down a Chas-made "Stratton" frame in my size, just for knocking about on and to satisfy my South london/Cornwall connection.

They've still got a few on their website but bar that lo pro nothing that interesting. Found myself an almost new ex pro track frame so looking forward to get it up and running. Beautiful engineering as usual.

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My Transcontinental. A beautiful ride.
I do hope that Chas returns very soon

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Bought one of roberts dad's bikes, in Albuquerque NM, and visited London, road it down to Roberts shop, and when I meet Chas, he greeted me by saying that's one of my Dad's bikes! The pound was low and I ordered a club bike, full campag, and picked it up after a tour of NZ and Auz. The next year I went back to London Town and purchased two SLX racing frames, one for best friend. Still riding them, best things ever purchased! Bill Schmitt

Nice! Any pictures, Bill?

Just bought this

http://www.hilarystone.com/images/sale%20images/frames/Roberts-653.jpg

I'm in the club!

Last year I dented the top tube of my Roberts in a stupid accident at home (bike fell off against a wall)
Story here:
https://www.lfgss.com/comments/9905439/

I have now decided to get it fixed properly by Winston, and may consider a respray rather than a Halfords can fix (although last experience of that was quite successful.
I have also bought a Columbus minimal fork for the bike.
What's the common consensus on headsets in one inch... Campagnolo record? Is there something decent in between that and the cheap M-part products?
I want to find a one inch ahead stem, with angle that keeps it parallel to the top tube... What do I need to look for on eBay? Steel ahead stem would be lovely of price isn't too prohibitive...

One of the most iconic British frame builders, built Tony Doyle's bikes in the 1980's the ANC bikes in 86 & 87, mate of mine had a track bike, in a champagne colour, such a cool looking bike, bet he's gutted he flogged it years ago.

I have two Roberts both pure track bikes. Most recent a 1990s vintage. Th other built by his Father for the Falcon Pro team for the 1976 track champs. Both with campag super record chainsets.
Will post photos when I get the software for my new camera loaded.

Just to prove that ROBERTS is still making frames geoff roberts, Chas's younger brother, who after a family dispute , moved out and set up on his own. Making frames now for nearly 40 years, but now with his name on them again.

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Chas's younger brother, who after a family dispute , moved out and set up on his own.

Reckon that might be the reason why Roberts closed down? (temporary I hope).

^^Looks a tidy Frame, yours? Columbus life/spirit?

Strange that he never really seemed to get the same recognition as Chas, by the masses. Was he just not as prolific frame/client/provenence-wise? All the frames I've seen have certainly been on par. Perhaps he'll get a bit more attention now?

Strange that he never really seemed to get the same recognition as Chas.

Not really.

Chas Roberts been around for quite some time, hence reputation.

They both cut their teeth in their dads workshop, I don't know how much age difference there is between them? obviously just enough to lose out of running the family business, but think he's "been around" as long as Chas in terms of the frame building history.

interesting comment made on velospace by Geoff (?)

I worked for Roberts cycle's from the age of 14 which was run by my father, Chas also worked for us now and then, When I was 21 my dad died of a heart attack leaving no will. In those days everything went to the eldest child ( Chas) so he had the lot and made me a mere employee although I was the cyclist and actually made the bikes and frames. Chas went from tea boy to boss overnight! At Roberts cycles there were 4 frame builders,Myself, Winstone, Adrian and Phil, all top quality frame builders. They still work there.
I left and started to build my own frames in the name of Geoff Roberts and you have one!! I did go back to help out but only to preserve the family name, not for the money. I now live in Bexhill on Sea, running a rock music venue called The Marina Fountain --find us on Facebook. I note with interest that on the Roberts Cycles website its like I never was anything to do with the business. I no longer ride or have anything to do with bikes. But will answer any questions if I can

all that stuff aside, good to hear he's making frames and running academies, etc.

Interesting about Geoff Roberts. I met him a few times in the late '80s, only because at the time he appeared to be based in Ron Cooper's shop/workshop in Honor Oak. I knew that Geoff was making his own frames then, but assumed he was connected with Ron in some way, either learning under him or assisting with frame building. I can't say I knew much about Roberts bicycle empire politics when I was a teenager!

Built .by Roberts for the Falcon Pro Team for track champs in 1976

Not sure if I ever posted this one. Belongs to Sam and Charlotte from LMNH Racing Team.

Are they little birds on the cross tube?

Yes, they are little swallows and were added last year when Tom Donhou did a respray. My photo doesn't show it well.

It didn't strike me as a very Roberts touch... Nice though!