The Roberts Cycles Handbuilt Bicycle Owners Club

Interesting to see the different third party fonts. This is mine from '84 that looks the same as those of similar vintage. The head badge is plain CR.

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My good friend has this roberts up for sale on eBay -

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/224310857762

He’s open to offers so if anyone’s interested I can put you in contact and try broker a good deal

Just been browsing cycle bits on the bay and came across these Roberts bar end plugs. Nothing to do with me, just thought they looked quite snazzy. (Vaguely contemplating some similar ones for my Ron Cooper, although that's already got some bespoke metal ones!)

Interestingly, a Ron Cooper could be a Geoff Roberts and vice versa- they shared a workshop in Honor Oak and would sometimes help each other out with urgent orders. See newly posted history of Geoff Roberts here (at the bottom of the page) complete with photos (enclosed shows Geoff at work) https://www.lcc.org.uk/articles/roberts-cycles. Other shot shows a rare Roberts penny-farthing built while they were in forest Hill.

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"Despite selling his business to Geoff, Ron Cooper stayed on at the workshop, effectively as Geoff’s employee but still building frames under his own name. "

Now that I didn't know. I assumed when I used to pop in that it was Ron's business and Geoff was working for him! I got my "Ron Cooper" built in 1987, so I guess Geoff might have had a hand in it. Pretty crazy to think that what I thought of as my humble LBS was the base for two such amazing frame builders.

Selling my Robert’s but don’t know how much it’s worth. I’ve owned it 20 years+ was stripped and repainted by Pearson Bikes of Sutton about 10 years ago. I think it was built mid/late 1980’s??It’s in excellent condition. Converted to single speed with flip flop hub, Formula wheels, Sugino crankset, Miche/Dia Comp brakes and Velo Orange finishing kit. All cable stops and hanger removed when painted. It’s painted in a (Fiat) metallic orange. I believe it’s Columbus SL/SLX mix.
Much appreciated
Rob

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All cable stops and hanger removed when painted.

Facepalm.

It was originally built up to be fixed and I wanted a clean look. I subsequently changed my mind, regretting it, and is now single speed freewheel with front and rear brakes

I’m sure it’s a nice bike, even with the modifications, but I think the £2,000 price on eBay is optimistic. However, you may get lucky.
Edit : looks like you dropped the price as I posted.

Even £1k is quite optimistic

Yep absolutely! I put it on eBay late last night to take advantage of my free listings options and put a “silly buy it now” price on it. I edited the price this morning to what I feel is a realistic price to the right person. I might get the £1000 I’d like but have “make an offer” option selected for those that want to negotiate

I can't see getting £1000 for it, half that maybe? even less
non original paint, frame has been modified and repainted, components on it are easy to get hold of.
I hope you get a fair price and if you get the £1000 fair-play. I just suspect you will be getting a lot of offers around the £200 mark on Ebay from Joe Bloggs (which can be super frustrating)

The original paint was knackered-chipped and rusty. Painting a frame enhances its value! It’s been done professionally- not at the back of the garage with a rattle can!!
A purist wouldn’t be interested I suspect, but I’ll await offers. I would rather keep it than let it go for £200!!

I’ll admit to being a bit naive when I got it all those years ago and regret not building it up with original parts

Paint well it’s for discussion but if it was stuffed then paint was a good idea, I just feel that the removal of all the cable stops and gear hanger is going to really decrease the value. Problem is now it’s neither a road bike or a dedicated single speed with track drop outs.
Just to say I wasn’t insinuating it’s only worth £200, it’s just that best offer function can be a nightmare. Glws!

Cheers - thanks for your comments
Hiwever, I would suggest it’s a dedicated single speed.

What's the spacing at the rear? Did you respace it to 120mm or is it still standard 130mm?

Original spacing - fitted spacers on the axle

Hi All
Just wondered if anyone here can help. I've an unidentified frame with a CR421/B frame number -see photo, any idea whether it is a Chas Roberts?
Thanks C

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Do you have any other pictures of it? Lugs, fork crown, seatstay, brake bridge, bb shell etc - nice colour!

More photos to follow, could be a red herring! or a least a pinky purple one!
Does the number format look authentic?

I can’t recall seeing that format, but as above, other clues could be on the frame.

More photos
Not sure if they will help, but just in case!
C

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Anything interesting underneath the bb?

Hi
Didn't want to show this, I've seen drilled holes but not Initials!
C

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