MisterGrizzly
Retro Guru
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Here's one for you guys (hopefully)...
Having years ago tried to produce my (non uk frame) pro flex 856 with as many uk parts as possible, I'm now thinking of building a new hardtail and thought to myself (with the decline in manufacturing since the 90s) how much of a bike can I possibly construct from uk made components in 2011?
I realise that a lot of stuff is rebadged of course (like most carbon stuff inc. USE), that so many uk based small component manufacturers have gone bump, and that x-lite (used to love their bar ends and seat posts, skewers etc) have been sold on (are they really uk now?), pace has largely gone all dt Swiss for forks/components (only the frames nowadays) and hope do seem to have stayed British so to speak, and there's always brooks for a saddle if I can ever wear one in.... And my beloved middleburn? Please tell me they're still uk makers?! I still want a guy to be machining those crank arms from a piece of alloy actually in a workshop here not elsewhere...
But as a concept, can anyone attempt to provide a list of uk manufacturers for as complete a uk made bike as possible?! Bars? Grips? Wheels? I'm thinking drivetrain is either Japanese or Italian, spokes are Swiss, tyres are Asian, is there an option out there?! Am I mad?
Please have a go... It's hard but you may also help me to invest in them in the future and also raise awareness?! I would be amazed if it was possible... But let's see......?!
Cheers guys
Best of british so to speak (and no, I'm not xenophobic, it would just be nice to try and build a bike with that in mind!)!
Having years ago tried to produce my (non uk frame) pro flex 856 with as many uk parts as possible, I'm now thinking of building a new hardtail and thought to myself (with the decline in manufacturing since the 90s) how much of a bike can I possibly construct from uk made components in 2011?
I realise that a lot of stuff is rebadged of course (like most carbon stuff inc. USE), that so many uk based small component manufacturers have gone bump, and that x-lite (used to love their bar ends and seat posts, skewers etc) have been sold on (are they really uk now?), pace has largely gone all dt Swiss for forks/components (only the frames nowadays) and hope do seem to have stayed British so to speak, and there's always brooks for a saddle if I can ever wear one in.... And my beloved middleburn? Please tell me they're still uk makers?! I still want a guy to be machining those crank arms from a piece of alloy actually in a workshop here not elsewhere...
But as a concept, can anyone attempt to provide a list of uk manufacturers for as complete a uk made bike as possible?! Bars? Grips? Wheels? I'm thinking drivetrain is either Japanese or Italian, spokes are Swiss, tyres are Asian, is there an option out there?! Am I mad?
Please have a go... It's hard but you may also help me to invest in them in the future and also raise awareness?! I would be amazed if it was possible... But let's see......?!
Cheers guys
Best of british so to speak (and no, I'm not xenophobic, it would just be nice to try and build a bike with that in mind!)!
