Witcomb Cycles

I think that the move should iron out the spikes in pricing or they'll go under, since the 'brand' will no longer be operated by Actual Witcombs, with all that their experience and proud family history brings with it. Witcomb enthusiasts the world over will know this, and be happy that they have a frame built by the original workshop before the marque was sold off. I doubt they'd buy a new one just 'cos it says Witcomb on the down-tube and has an innovative Barber Pole seat tube (apparently Daphoney claimed this was his big conribution to bespoke £1000 paintjobs). I bet there were Claud Butler heads who stopped buying them when Holdsworth in took over in 1960, and the same will happen here, 50 years on.

I wonder how long they'll carry on making hand built steel frames. They're talking about carbon frames on the blog, which suggests they'll go down the Condor route and sticker up frames made elsewhere.

I think they're going to find it hard going, they'll be competing with Dolan, Ribble and Condor. I fear it's not going to end well.

When I was last in there they had some carbon frames which they had made themselves- they were scratching their heads over why the carbon did not have the pre-preg weave look common to other bikes.

I'd be amazed if they did make carbon frames themselves. As far as I know, no one in the UK makes carbon frames. Would imagine the start up cost would be very high

sad day for sunny Deptford, real loss for the local heritage.

Has this article been posted yet? An interview with Barrie Witcomb himself. Note mention of 'Tom Malone'. Is 'Nicholas Young' perhaps the zefrog guy?

http://www.londoncyclesport.com/Features/Features/Witcomb_Cycles.html

Looks as if the move isn't quite a fait accompli just yet?

"...he has the fingers of a pianist with the wear and tear of a skilled artisan."

Crikey!

"Evans, the bike shop, is a good representation of what happened. Gary Evans started off with one shop in The Cut, Waterloo, and then he opened a dedicated mountain bike shop round the corner – we told him he was mad.

The company was recently sold for millions and Gary is living the life of luxury while I’m still here building bloody frames."

Quite sad.

plurabelle. i like your Jim O'Rourke avatar. (i like his choonz too)

plurabelle. i like your Jim O'Rourke avatar. (i like his choonz too)

Thanks! He's brill.

Quite sad.

especially as it sound like he didn't really enjoy building bicycles.

hi Paps

so what happened with the Whitcomb in the end? sounds like the 'seller' is toying with you. does he realise it would probably be a lot cheaper just to get a nice example shipped from the UK - or even fly over and pick it up yourself!

speaking of cycling in Greek-ish places (and going totally off-thread in the process), I had a family holiday in Cyprus a few weeks ago, and for the first time hired a proper road bike out there for a nice ride along the south coast

it's the first time I realised how hilly the place is - but what a wonderful place to cycle. the that ran the hire place (a German ex-pro) says lots of people (ie serious roadies) go there for Spring training, and he reckons it's the best place in Europe for that kind of riding because of the combination of weather, hilly terrain, good roads and low traffic.

a bit far for me to go, of course, for a training ride - but maybe a nice change for you once in a while compared to the craziness of cycling in Athens?

Hi all,

This morning as I was cycling to work, on the bus lane of Lewisham Way, in front of Goldsmith College, there were 2 guys on the pavement handing flyers to cyclist. I grabed one, it was advertising for a bicycle workshop in Brockley (I had not heard of it)... Always good to know.
"Funny" thing, on the reverse of the flyer, they mention the closing down of Witcomb, as they want to offer a local alternative... Has anyone heard of them? I'll definitely go there to see what it's like...
Here a picture of the flyer:

Szia

Loic

i've been there. small workshop in the business park behind the station.
nice guys

i've been a bit tense lately so went round the back of the bins in the business park behind the station. got a reacharound for a fiver from some old derro. Don't know what that bicycle repair shop is like tho

.

wahey!

have been there also. they do seem very helpful and competent

The bike shop? Or round the back of the bins?

ha

Originally Posted by BRM
i've been a bit tense lately so went round the back of the bins in the business park behind the station. got a reacharound for a fiver from some old derro. Don't know what that bicycle repair shop is like tho

I should have charged more.

the queue is outrageous these days tommy.
you should sort that out

Carpel tunnel syndrome you know. It's effecting my business.

i'll bet you told the doc it was cycling-related

No need. The docs got a tab. She knows the score.

sweet.
can she get me pharmies?

No; but I can. Meet by the bins in 10.