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So I came across this by chance. I recall trying this strange contraption when it was waiting for pick up at the Gloucester Road workshop. Apparently others were built but we don't know if was at Roberts or elsewhere. Another curiosity seen at Roberts was the one handed cycle - anyone got a snap or know of it's whereabouts?

Owner said it was from Argos(no,not that Argos). Not seen one on Roberts before.

Correction. Green frame is by Adrian Parry not Phil Maynard. More on Phil frame identification in future VCC mag .

Part three . The Hackney Peddler collection

Part two

A few of the bikes that came on the Roberts history ride Sept 2024. The 1936 Claud dates from the era when Charlie Roberts worked there. The couplings frame and the Dogsbolx are Winston Vaz builds, the green frame is by Phil Maynard and grey bike is an Adrian Parry build. Many thanks to Hackney Peddler for inviting riders to see their exceptional collection of Roberts, and other, frames.

Can you provide snaps? Including of the numbers. Might be very early frames.

Roberts ride tomorrow as planned from Bicycle Mews, next to Clapham Manor St at 2pm . With estimated arrival at Hackney Peddler N16 8AA by 5pm. Weather looks good.

70s afaik

That's what the Roberts build records say. Geoff Roberts, in Boneshaker magazine, says that when he owned the ex Rob Cooper workshop, and worked alongside Ron, they would help each other out on occasion by building a frame or two that sold under the other builder's name.

lesterama. Lovely example of early work including parallel stays. Can photo be used in veteran cyclin club magazine?

Cookie monster. Beta Bikes sold Revell frames some of which were built by Roberts.

Roberts history ride Saturday 14 September, 2pm at Bicycle Mews off Clapham Manor St SW4 6FE. Location where Charlie Roberts worked early in his career. Then visiting Roberts related locations in Central London and West Hampstead (time permitting) to finish at Hackney Peddler about 5ish to see their fine collection of Roberts frames (18 at last count). Please reply if coming, with snap of bike maybe.

User 55654 - interesting star cut out on the down tube lug. Third one I've seen. Could it be a builders mark? Anyone else have an idea?

Or on the fork steerer. BB number and steerer number would usually match unless a fork was bought in e.g. carbon.

Latest issue of Boneshaker magazine (more academic publication of veteran cycling club) includes part 4 of the Roberts history series focusing on design features.

According to legend, when the Roberts spray painter, Eric Camm, retired, Chas Roberts sold the paint booth to Dave at Colortech and all Roberts frames were then sprayed there.

Great condition for a 70s tandem and it looks like all original kit with the Mafacs and Stronglight. Assuming it's the original paintwork the head badge (Trewsbury Road address) would make it pre 1976 because they moved to Penge and changed the decal to reflect new address. What's the frame number and where is it stamped? Might help with dating.

Thanks for posting the pictures. Very hard to tell the builder because the seat stay finish, lugs and fork crown were commonly used. Winston only joined Roberts in the mid 80s and was not likely to have left a builders mark. Geoff apparently "squeezed" the rear stay ends but they are not visible. Nice frame either way. Winston, Geoff and Phil are all legends.

User 149708.

Post a snap so we can guess the builder. 1984 predates Adrian. So it's Winston, Geoff or Phil.

Centenary +2 ride today 18th June. 2pm start at Gloucester Road ending at Varonha at about 4pm. Map here https://www.bikemap.net/en/r/7560774/#11.15/51.4128/-0.0515. Route covers Roberts workshops and associated shops.

18th June Roberts Centenary ride ( see above for link and details) to all the Roberts workshops will end up at Winston's Varonha workshop in Hither Green. Probably at about 4pm. Please register on eventbrite if you plan to come on the ride.

Ps. Centenary ride is a free guided ride.

18th june 2022. Afternoon Roberts Centenary ride to all Roberts workshops. Starting in Croydon ending in Hither Green. Sign up for details - we need an idea of numbers. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/roberts-centenary-cycle-ride-to-historical-roberts-related-locations-tickets-328218840387

The fork looks similar to those sold by Brick Lane bikes. The frame looks high quality but the finish on the chain stay ends at the drop outs, as far as can be seen, seems unusual and dosen't look typical of Roberts builders.

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.

Centenary ride: DIY and virtual ride to all the Roberts London locations https://www.lcc.org.uk/articles/diy-roberts-centenary-ride.
This was the ride planned for the centenary of Charlie Roberts' birth before Covid struck. The after party was going to be hosted at Hackney Peddler where you can still find two dozen vintage Roberts frames of all ages. Maybe we'll try again next year.