http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Topic: Royal Mail Pashley's for £250 en Mon, 18 May 2026 04:55:30 +0000 http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=15544&page=2#post-244731 Wed, 15 Mar 2017 00:14:44 +0000 crowriver 244731@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>"It weighs a ton."</p> <p>Wait until it's full of a week's shopping! :-)</p> <p>Good resistance training: calves of steel in no time. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=15544&page=2#post-244727 Tue, 14 Mar 2017 23:43:03 +0000 Greenroofer 244727@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I've today taken delivery of my very own Elephant Bike, which I've had my eye on ever since this thread first appeared. I was so excited that I kept calling home from work to see if it had arrived.</p> <p>It's a really weird mixture of new bits and old bits: with its freshly-painted olive green frame and glossy white mudguards it looks new from a distance, but when you get up close you can see rust spots and dents and worn bits mixed up with new cables, bottom bracket, chain and cranks. I'm between sizes, so got the smaller of the two so that Mrs G can use it if she wants, and it's definitely quite compact for me, with a <em>very</em> upright stance.</p> <p>It is enormous, with a huge plastic tray on the front and a gigantic long rack on the back. It weighs a ton.</p> <p>It felt very stable whizzing down Craighouse Hill, and the brakes were extremely reassuring, albeit not with quite the same feel as the hydraulic discs I normally use. Going up Craighouse Hill was quite a challenge: the low gear isn't as low as I expected...</p> <p>I'll take it to work tomorrow, and see how it fares on the commute. Slowly, but comfortably, I suspect. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=15544&page=2#post-202637 Fri, 23 Oct 2015 23:01:34 +0000 crowriver 202637@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I was recently inspired by the recent Pashley thread, and DaveC and waverley's purchase of a refurbished/resprayed Mailstar ‘elephant bike’, to investigate the used bike market for a Pashley post bike of my own. </p> <p>A quick search on fleaBay revealed a bike repair workshop in Nottinghamshire selling off ex-TNT Post Pashley Prontos, which are essentially identical to the Royal Mail Mailstars but with slightly different spec. </p> <p>Well mine arrived this week, and following some basic reassembly is now running sweetly. I’ve made a trip to B&amp;Q Powderhall already and it coped admirably.</p> <p>Colour is the first difference from the Mailstar, this came in the TNT orange powder coat, which looks like new: a few wee nicks but it seems incredibly tough. The mudguards are white powder coated aluminium. The rear rack is much the same as Royal Mail’s but the front rack is different, designed for a third mail bag pannier rather than a basket. I tried a standard Altura pannier and it clipped on perfectly, though is a bit narrow on the wide rack. I’m looking at trolley bags for the front, but have added some big European double panniers on the rear, though they are still not big enough for that rack. The Selle Royal saddle has loops at the back so I may add a saddle bag there too. </p> <p>I was pleased that the tyres are Marathon Plus front and rear. Also the front hub, as well as housing a drum brake, is also a hub dynamo, and the bike came with a front dynamo light (though the mount bolt was missing and I have temporarily cable-tied it in place as you can see below). This is LED and has an auto sensor so it comes on once light levels drop. There is a nice big battery light on the rear rack. There's a very sturdy bipod prop stand in the middle and the bike feels very stable once this is engaged. There's also a frame lock mounted on rear seat stays which is incredibly handy when parking to nip into a shop. The SA 3 speed hub gear on the back wheel also has a drum brake: the gear change is smooth as butter, the range seems good, and the brakes really stop this bike. It is heavy, I won’t deny that, but not as bad as I feared. Remarkably nimble in fact, and I’ve tried minor hilly bits coming back from Powderhall: it was fine though I did get out of the saddle to pedal once or twice. It's like a British version of a Dutch bike, with serene upright posture and lots of sensible features.</p> <p>In short I’m very pleased with this bike, especially for the reasonable price. It shall become a regular shopper and medium cargo lifter, with the Kona Ute reserved for really big/long/bulky loads. </p> <p><a href="http://s101.photobucket.com/user/crowrivernet/media/DSC02835_zpslsrz5wmr.jpg.html"><img src="http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m55/crowrivernet/th_DSC02835_zpslsrz5wmr.jpg"></a></p> <p><a href="http://s101.photobucket.com/user/crowrivernet/media/DSC02836_zpsyq9e3lkq.jpg.html"><img src="http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m55/crowrivernet/th_DSC02836_zpsyq9e3lkq.jpg"></a></p> <p><a href="http://s101.photobucket.com/user/crowrivernet/media/DSC02837_zps35cim4z7.jpg.html"><img src="http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m55/crowrivernet/th_DSC02837_zps35cim4z7.jpg"></a> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=15544&page=2#post-202205 Mon, 19 Oct 2015 15:19:40 +0000 waverley 202205@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Just wanted to say that after reading this thread we bought one of these bikes and it was delivered (very quickly) last week. It’s brilliant for what we wanted it for – yes, heavy but so so sturdy. We have put a Hamax child seat on the back for our 2 year old and added a tube mounted saddle so the 4 year old can perch on the front. </p> <p>Finally, one of us can transport both the kids by bike at once (we did for a while think of getting a Helios with a tagalong, thanks to the FoC event in the summer, but ultimately couldn’t justify the cost as the older one is now cycling by herself to nursery so it would only have had occasional weekend usage). </p> <p>Anyway we took it out for a spin at Cramond at the weekend and got loads of interested looks (and many smiles!). It will mainly be for my husband to use but the saddle has a quick release and I can just about manage it size wise (I’m small!) so I should be ok to use it as well if we’re going somewhere fairly flat. He made it up the steep road which heads out of Cramond towards the Cramond Inn so it’s manageable, but he obviously wouldn’t be setting any Strava records on it. </p> <p>Anyway thanks for the original link – we’re delighted with it! </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=15544&page=2#post-201418 Thu, 08 Oct 2015 19:46:22 +0000 LaidBack 201418@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>DaveC - BikeSpark is away at start of next week... can't take any more projects at moment. He would suggest kits maybe if you pm me I'll get you his number. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=15544&page=2#post-201397 Thu, 08 Oct 2015 14:45:30 +0000 crowriver 201397@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@DaveC, I think the Pashley Mailstar is nice as it is. That is all. :-) </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=15544&page=2#post-201395 Thu, 08 Oct 2015 14:24:21 +0000 paddyirish 201395@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@DaveC</p> <p>Right crowriver, let me see if I understand you? I should <strike>sell</strike> keep this bike and buy something more purposefully designed and built?</p> <p>You're <strike>not</strike> helping here you know! </p> <p>FIFY </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=15544#post-201394 Thu, 08 Oct 2015 14:19:01 +0000 DaveC 201394@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Right crowriver, let me see if I understand you? I should sell this bike and buy smething more purposefully designed and built?</p> <p>You're not helping here you know! </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=15544#post-201385 Thu, 08 Oct 2015 13:39:18 +0000 crowriver 201385@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>It's a great bike as is though. If the name worries you, could always take the decals off?</p> <p>Reckon if I was in the market for an electric assist bike I'd have something like this:</p> <p><a href="http://www.e-bikesdirect.co.uk/Item/Brands/D_Cycle_Electric_Bikes/D_Cycle_Delight_3_Low_Step_Electric_Bike.aspx" rel="nofollow">http://www.e-bikesdirect.co.uk/Item/Brands/D_Cycle_Electric_Bikes/D_Cycle_Delight_3_Low_Step_Electric_Bike.aspx</a></p> <p>Bung a front carrier on, electric load lugger. Something like this: </p> <p><a href="http://www.reallyusefulbikes.co.uk/_shop/carrier-racks-front/steco-balhoofdmontage--headtubefront-rack/" rel="nofollow">http://www.reallyusefulbikes.co.uk/_shop/carrier-racks-front/steco-balhoofdmontage--headtubefront-rack/</a> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=15544#post-201348 Thu, 08 Oct 2015 10:56:58 +0000 SRD 201348@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I bet it's as lovely looking as she is. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=15544#post-201345 Thu, 08 Oct 2015 10:53:16 +0000 DaveC 201345@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>The bike arrived this morning, Its now assembled and rather large. A colleague pointed out the name might not be most flattering for my other half's bike. :O( </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=15544#post-201344 Thu, 08 Oct 2015 10:51:53 +0000 DaveC 201344@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Hi Laidback, when does he leave? Do you have contact detals for him please?</p> <p>I found these but thats the price of the bike!</p> <p><a href="http://www.e-bikesdirect.co.uk/Item/Conversion_Kits/Front_EKits/cyclotricity_ekit_250w_with_36v-7ah_seatpost_battery-eKit_26_wheel.aspx" rel="nofollow">http://www.e-bikesdirect.co.uk/Item/Conversion_Kits/Front_EKits/cyclotricity_ekit_250w_with_36v-7ah_seatpost_battery-eKit_26_wheel.aspx</a> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=15544#post-201306 Wed, 07 Oct 2015 20:56:45 +0000 LaidBack 201306@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>The 'electric bike guy' is Al H aka 'The BikeSpark'. He recently 'electrified' a Gazelle for wife of one of LB's customers.<br /> He's often seen on an electric Pashley hauling trailers for Union of Genius and others. Al is a firm believer that it's possible to convert any bike without spending a fortune. He recently tried out EdFoC's Bosch assisted Urban Arrow and thought it was quite good. Which is praise indeed as Al says what he means!<br /> Sadly though he plans to leave Scotland for Ibiza so won't be around to do conversions. He's going by train and ferry with his bike of course!<br /> He may return but has work doing deliveries and conversions there. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=15544#post-201277 Wed, 07 Oct 2015 16:25:10 +0000 crowriver 201277@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@DaveC, maybe good to factor in front/rear brakes as these are drum brakes on the Pashley Mailstar. An electric hub might need new brakes fitted to that hub... </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=15544#post-201194 Wed, 07 Oct 2015 12:59:37 +0000 SRD 201194@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>i think I posted his details or maybe a picture of his business card after running into him outside the council chambers a year or so ago. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=15544#post-201190 Wed, 07 Oct 2015 12:55:58 +0000 DaveC 201190@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Arellcat, I'd like to know more about that 'Electric Bike Guy' as this is a Christmas pressy so electric assist may be advantageous. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=15544#post-201178 Wed, 07 Oct 2015 11:45:08 +0000 sallyhinch 201178@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Just as an aside, how much of a workout would being chased for 20mins by an enraged elephant on a 23kg bike be (over dirt roads too, I imagine!?). Terrifying </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=15544#post-201167 Wed, 07 Oct 2015 11:19:19 +0000 chdot 201167@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I think you're planning to keep it at work and cruise round town at lunchtimes! </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=15544#post-201164 Wed, 07 Oct 2015 11:00:42 +0000 DaveC 201164@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Mine has left the factory, just awaiting delivery now.</p> <p>:O) </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=15544#post-200984 Mon, 05 Oct 2015 19:54:32 +0000 Arellcat 200984@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I'm quite tempted to buy one for my parents. Perhaps the electric bike guy that Laid Back knows might be interested in turning it into a real load lugging machine.</p> <p>Steel is real, man. The torpedo hits the scales at about 31kg, and it's made from soot and plastic. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=15544#post-200967 Mon, 05 Oct 2015 16:31:33 +0000 DaveC 200967@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I'm sure you could get one to fit from Rosebikes. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=15544#post-200966 Mon, 05 Oct 2015 16:17:21 +0000 neddie 200966@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Just seen - no fully enclosed chainguard - not so keen now...</p> <p>If I'm gonna lug 23kg around, it had better be low maintenance. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=15544#post-200963 Mon, 05 Oct 2015 15:58:13 +0000 wingpig 200963@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I might weigh the sparebike when I get home. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=15544#post-200957 Mon, 05 Oct 2015 15:07:33 +0000 Wilmington's Cow 200957@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Yep, fortunately my reading skillz aren't quite that depleted yet despite my advancing years... ;)</p> <p>It does note in the text on sizing that if you're under 5'6" then the 18" is for you, but if over 5'6" then it's the 22". I'm 9" taller than that lower end height range, so definitely do suspect I may have to heighten any setup. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=15544#post-200956 Mon, 05 Oct 2015 14:47:10 +0000 DaveC 200956@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>It comes in 18 and 22 inch sizes. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=15544#post-200953 Mon, 05 Oct 2015 14:30:51 +0000 Wilmington's Cow 200953@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I'm seriously considering putting this down as my one and only list item for Christmas from everyone who gets me stuff for Christmas (I'm sure my mum will be in touch soon asking what I want anyway).</p> <p>I suspect I'll need to install a longer seatpin, and possibly a longer stem, but we'd see. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=15544#post-200948 Mon, 05 Oct 2015 14:22:55 +0000 cc 200948@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Looks like a spectacular bargain to me. I'd buy one if I didn't have the pastoorfiets already </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=15544#post-200946 Mon, 05 Oct 2015 14:21:35 +0000 PS 200946@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><em>23kg!! </em></p> <p>Same weight as Boris Bikes.</p> <p>Shame that Royal Mail has canned cycling posties. I've seen them in action in France, the Netherlands and Germany this year, where they seem very civilising in a town centre and considerably less disruptive than UK Royal Mail vans, which I usually sight parked on double yellow lines in rush hour at the top and bottom of Broughton Street with the postie sitting inside checking his mobile... </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=15544#post-200945 Mon, 05 Oct 2015 14:19:59 +0000 chdot 200945@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Isn't there a weight limit on the bridge? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=15544#post-200943 Mon, 05 Oct 2015 14:14:45 +0000 steveo 200943@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Are you riding it back to the kingdom? </p>