Share

David

A Class Act.


Someone has to do the hard graft

Trick parts ready for assembly

You always remember your first bike

As a the middle-aged father of an 11 year old boy, I have recently, like thousands of other proud parents, recorded for posterity the new school uniform and the first day off to senior school. I expect the requests to order for the first school class photograph to arrive at any moment.

Taking my children to school always fills me with a sort of melancholy nostalgia. Possibly as a consequence of being over 40 I have often mourned the passing of an age when the bike ride to school was normal and not something to be feared by anxious parents or, worse still, loathed by children themselves.

So, nothing could have restored my faith in how kids can still embrace riding to school like the moment my son Joseph set himself the holiday task of building a bike specifically to travel the few miles to his new school and back each day, for the grand total £25.

The requirements were quite clear: the machine had to be fast, light, accommodate him for longer than his first uniform, present him with minimal maintenance and above all be very, very ‘cool’.

A trawl through Shropshire’s cycle shops revealed news of Spokes, a bicycle recycling charity in Kidderminster, which turned out to be a treasure trove of new and used parts. With the exception of the tyres, which were bought new, the whole bicycle, including trick parts [which ones were they, then? – ed.] cost under the £25 price cap.

The resulting machine has blended a bit of retro chic with hassle free riding.

Look out for a full feature on Spokes soon

  • Frame……21″ 1960’s Carlton steel…………………Spokes
  • Wheels…..27×1 1/4 steel 24 spokes…………………Spokes
  • Freewheel..20 tooth BMX……………………………Spokes
  • Tyres……Kenda (new)……………….Pearce Cycles, Ludlow
  • Saddle…..Rolls Union Jack………………………….Shed
  • Seat pin…Unknown alloy…………………………..Spokes
  • Brake……Weinmann centre pull…………Spokes
  • Blocks…..Kool stop………………………………..Shed
  • Chainset…1980’s DuraAce 42/52, converted to 42 single.Spokes
  • Chain……Suntour………………………………..Spokes
  • Handlebars.unknown alloy…………………………….Shed
  • Stem…….unknown alloy…………………………….Shed
  • Levers…..Weinmann……………………………….Spokes
  • Cables…..new………………………Pearce Cycles, Ludlow
  • Paint……Seat dark green……………………..Motorworld
  • Newsletter Terms & Conditions

    Please enter your email so we can keep you updated with news, features and the latest offers. If you are not interested you can unsubscribe at any time. We will never sell your data and you'll only get messages from us and our partners whose products and services we think you'll enjoy.

    Read our full Privacy Policy as well as Terms & Conditions.

    production