You are reading a single comment by @d_c and its replies.
Click here to read the full conversation.
London Fixed Gear and Single-Speed is a community of predominantly fixed gear and single-speed cyclists in and around London, UK.
This site is supported almost exclusively by donations. Please consider donating a small amount regularly.
@d_c
The older ones pop-up from time to time on eBay - local delivery offices used to sell them off locally when they were replaced, and so there are a fair number in circulation. They were made by various manufacturers at different times - I have a Dawes one with the kinked top tube that I have had fifteen years, but which is currently off the road. They are really heavy bastards - brazed from gas pipe mostly, and they steer like an oil tanker even without a load. The older ones also tend to come with rod brakes which are crap - look to upgrade to hub brakes or a back pedal brake as a matter of priority. I also wouldn't bother with panniers or a rear rack if you can get one with the front basket/platform - you can carry a person on there without too much trouble.
As you say, with the newer ones they have an arrangement that sees them donated as workbikes to Africa.