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Sorry about your crash!

Seeing this frame reminded me of a posting on flickr by the legendary framebuilder JP Weigle. Sure enough, the two Whitcombs look very similar except for the seat cluster. Both Richard Sachs and Weigle learnt framebuilding at Whitcomb in London and Weigle states: "I built this frame in 1973 (with some help) at the Witcomb shop in Deptford England. David Cotton was looking over my shoulder when I needed help or encouragement. "

I wonder who built your frame? Would be interesting to know. Anyway, the links are below.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/49353569@N00/34203064503/
https://www.nytimes.com/1982/12/05/nyregion/shops-6-miles-apart-build-custom-bikes.html

I'm really sorry to hear that!! That Bob Jackson, actually all your bikes, are real beauties.

I realise you already know this, but just a reminder to keep an eye out on gumtree. I found someone's (didn't know him) lovely 70s Bob that way by chance, simply because I had seen a posting of the bike as stolen on insta. The police got involved and actually did a very good job. The owner left the police with the thief and cycled off with his bike.

Anyway, just to encourage everyone here to check gumtree daily.

I actually picked up a cheap '93 Dawes Super Galaxy this year and am very happy with it.

It's meant to be a copy of the Raleigh Randonneur and it certainly looks it. I was admittedly not convinced that it was my dream brand, but the bike simply never disappoints. I can throw anything at it and the frame carries the load with ease. I am so impressed by it now that I can't imagine ever giving it up. The riding quality is wonderful - I remember somebody writing that his Bob Jackson tourer felt like a limousine and now I know what he meant. Also, 32mm tyres with mudguards have proven ample for me. Maybe its just because I always used Continentals that are slimmer that they claim to be, but these Vittoria Saffiro Pros are wide enough for me.

The bike was intended to be my winter and country ride bike, but I use it for all my city commutes now. Slowly changing out parts.

Here is an amazing Dawes Galaxy project I found on flickr. Astonishing transformation.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/neongrey/albums/72157695029298042/with/42198191464

Now I wish to say sorry for replying so late! : ) Thank you for your very nice reply - also for the tip on the Oac. I wasn't aware of it until now. Looks like it doesn't hinder the forwards-reverse adjustability of the saddle like my Bagman does...though I couldn't do without the QR. Very nice though!

Very nice! Could I ask if that's a mic boom on top of your green bag? It's the sort of thing I carry about too ;-)

Haha, I enjoyed that one : )

Hi,
Could I ask if you were, or are still, happy with the Nitto Campees? Did you notice the weight much? Considering buying a front one for myself. Always liked the rear one too.

If you no longer use them, may I ask what you use now?

Lovely photos, by the way!

Would just like to say what a total stand up good bloke @Foreigner65
is Just so as you know

Totally agree!!

Hi there,
If anyone has a Nitto M-12 rack for me, then I would be very grateful.

Thanks for considering.

Probably. It appears to be a non-issue - here and out there on the net. Well, I guess I needed something to worry about!

Thanks! Yes that makes sense.

Hi all,

I have been considering buying a 1993 Dawes Super Galaxy (531 Super Tourist). Very good condition with its original LX parts and what looks like 3x6 gearing.

I want it as a winter bike and for occasional excursions into the countryside where I can carry loads of stuff and not worry about my precious road bike and its skinny tyres.

My question is - the top tube has internal routing with a plastic cap at each end. I noticed that most models from the 90s don't have this though. I have heard that Kogu Miyata Travellers have this too and that when the plastic cap breaks, its a bit of an issue. My Daccordi has internal routing...but all metal.

Anybody have any experience or knowledge of this as a problem on the Dawes SG?

Any other comments in general about the bike greatly appreciated!

Edit: So, the plastic cap things are apparently called stops.

Thanks : )

Thank you!

I assume the change of width won't necessarily mean the spokes will need to be replaced, just tightened or loosened differently.

Hi, I am considering buying a used rear wheel with a spacing of 120mm for the rear dropouts. The seller says he can change the axle and then I would have a 126mm spacing, which would suit me better. I could then have a 7-speed freewheel (screw on).

Is it really that simple? Simply change the axle to accommodate a different frame dropout spacing?

What an incredible find! I'm no expert, but the lugs and especially the rear dropouts would seem typically Hersé. Those Nivex derailleurs are supposed to be very good. They've also recently brought out a modern version.

Every detail of those bikes appear to be technical marvels. Even the design of the rear dropouts apparently was for very particular reasoning. Happened to see this:

Herse’s custom-made dropouts place the wheel centers in the prolongation of the stays and fork blades. That way, the wheels are centered in the end points of the frame, which ties the whole bike together. As an added benefit, this allows the dropouts to be smaller, stiffer and lighter.

There's a nice link here of a 1948 Hersé, perhaps you have seen it already: https://www.flickr.com/photos/stronglight/4189731966/in/photolist-7oetm3-7oeBGU-UAucAj-7oaFjc-TSwjdQ-6q9SAB-6qdMDr-34gmUa-VbG8fn-6pJ7Kc-VbJaGx-UZ4qkF-72EiME-V89qkN-7oez4A-7gA9t8-7oaG58-7oaHYT-7oazTB-TSwjK1-V6uuAy-72Ep6E-72EiGf-72AjGg-72Ej3j-72Aj7c-72EiXN-VbJbSP-TUc9aj-TX3Xcp-UWguDW-UZ4Rfa-V89njN-VbHC6r-UZ4BRr-UWgehy-72Ekp5-72Amei-72AkYp-72Amon-72AmjT-72Am4x-72EoR1-72Bt4z-bwrNBD-72Epb3-72FsqQ-UAuKry-UZ4hfT-VbG6oM

Another wonder is of course that the lettering was hand painted, like those of René André.

Looking forward to seeing the bike develop!

Very nice head tube lugs! Would make a great bike.

Hi there,
I thought I might ask here, on the off-chance someone has a 55 or 56cm c-t Gillott they could consider selling. It should be a road bike, so not a path or track bike. It should also have eyelets for mudguards. 57cm might be a little large for me.

Complete, or frame and fork. It would need to be posted.

Would be open to similar bikes too, such as Higgins, Woodrup, Berry, etc. Clearance for 32mm (700c) tyres + mudguards would be nice. 1950s, 60s or 70s probably ideal.

Please feel free to PM me with photos or ideas.

Thanks!

Nice to see a Gillott about - so here's bump : )

Way too big for me unfortunately. Very nice lugs and a lovely bike!

Firstly, please excuse my rant! I meant to delete the post, because it seemed so futile. And who wants useless negative vibes?

You make good points - for active FB users.

In the mean time, I've joined three bike groups, made a friend request, took time to add profile photos. And was finally allowed to access Marketplace. Great, I thought! So, I composed a message wanting to know size and other info. But then FB wanted my mobile no. in order to send it. It basically already has it through whatsapp and instagram, but I really just wasn't in the mood to feed this marketing machine any more. I'd have no problem giving it to a classifieds site, lfgss or another bike forum.

I've tried to contact the person personally. It should be pretty obvious by my message that I am sincere and real.

However, I am starting to give up now. I still think Marketplace is a terrible idea for bike people. If you don't want a regular selling site and you want real people and bike enthusiasts - sell on a bike forum. And if you want selling feedback, go to ebay. I am sure there are many others out there, especially younger generations, who can't be bothered with FB and MP. And so much faff to make contact. Instead of putting a 'for sale' sign on your bike out on the front yard, you've put in the shade in the back yard.

This thread appears to have served its purposes and found its Internet graveyard. So perhaps I can take the liberty of repurposing it for general FB and Gumtree issues?

My post is more a rant than seeking a solution. Why do people sell on Marketplace, when its a closed community and is extremely difficult to access? It makes absolutely no sense. I've eyed an ad out for ages. The seller hasn't provided much info and the ad has been online a good while. I specially joined FB to contact that person, but FB won't give me access to Marketplace. I'm guessing because I don't have 'friends' and all the rest of it. Who knows. Then I tried reactivating an old FB account and FB had the nerve to ask for my ID, which I don't think the corporation has a right to.

These ads should be on ebay, Gumtree or bike forums. If I have to set up a whole active FB account before I can contact someone, and still don't automatically gain access to Marketplace and never even wanted to be active on FB in the first place...well!

For all of Gumtree's or any other classifieds website's faults, I can join and make contact. Simple.

Marketplace is a truly daft idea.

Have sent you a PM regarding the front rack. Thank you!

That's kind of you @Skülly for mentioning my advice, but the truth is I can't even take my own advice. I'm a bundle of aching regret for not taking up an offer on a wonderful frame a while back. Definitely not snagged. Sigh, oh well.

I thought I would finally crawl out of my embarrassed and regretful cave for not buying that red 60s Gillott a while back, because I feel @Foreigner65 deserves a very special mention here as an outstanding forum member. As a freelancer, I was going through a bit of tricky financial time and he was incredibly patient and nice.

The frame price was so low, which made it so tantalisingly mine, yet things remained awkward. In a brief irrational moment, I looked at vintage parts pricing and rashly gave up on the while idea. That was stupid of course, because I had 80s parts to at least tie me over until I could exchange them for more appropriate ones. And then I realised I had quite a bit of old audio equipment to sell which in itself would have covered the costs.

Things have since improved greatly. Lots of new work coming in. Hopefully another chance will come along. It is rare, though, to see a frame of that age in such spotless original condition and very beautiful patina. Anyway, I am sure somebody is enjoying the bike and that's a good thing in the great scheme of things.

Hi, hoping someone with experience can help me! Would be grateful.

I'm in Germany and want to pay for a frameset in the UK. The max. item worth to avoid import charges (but not taxes) is €150, which is my case.

From everything I have read, if one pays in one amount, shipping and item, and they cannot determine for sure a distinction between the two, then the customs people will simply view the item worth in total and it will mean I would pay both import charge (15%) and tax (19%).

How have others experienced or done this?

• A lump sum and then get a copy of courier receipt + listing the two costs in the reference section when I pay?
  
• Or, play it safe and pay for the frameset and shipping prices separately? Which would seem an unusual approach.
  
  

Failing all that, maybe just call the import office here tomorrow first.