Took almost 3 decades but I finally got my hands on one of these....Brodie Sovereign with Gatorblade fork

[canuckinboston]

I made a few adjustments and this is now my daily ride. I love love love this thing. The main change is that I swapped out the proprietary Synergy wheels for a set of Mavic Sunset 217s with XTR 950 hubs. And I put on modern Look STP compatible pedals for convenience. I know that the saddle is not to everyone's taste, but I came to it after many many trials of others on this bike and my road bikes (both period specific and non period specific). Comfort>>>looks for me when it comes to my saddle.

Yes I unapologetically admit that I have a massive Syncros fetish (on this fellow we have a Syncros headset, stem, Revolution cranks, seatpost and barends).

I'm still looking for a Brodie rear U brake booster....

 

[ted andkilde]

it think i have the last one built. it was paul's bike. he thought he should build himself
one before he sold control. he called me up one day and asked if i was interested in
buying it. i seem to recall him saying it was the last one built. it is serial #4031. i will
ask him. built in 1996 is my understanding.
just heard back from paul. he said he built quite a few sovereigns after mine.
i must have been dreaming. didn't tell me the serial number of the last one.

I believe this FB post documents the last Sovereign. 4261 is owned by a fellow named Lenard Beaudoin, who bought it new. He lives about a 1/2 hour from me.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/896369010516448/permalink/1774175219402485

 

[MattiThundrrr]

I believe this FB post documents the last Sovereign. 4261 is owned by a fellow named Lenard Beaudoin, who bought it new. He lives about a 1/2 hour from me.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/896369010516448/permalink/1774175219402485

Private group, post cannot be seen. 4261 did come up in this thread previously though
https://www.retrobike.co.uk/threads/last-year-of-brodies-made-by-paul.378854/

 

[ted andkilde]

Private group, post cannot be seen. 4261 did come up in this thread previously though
https://www.retrobike.co.uk/threads/last-year-of-brodies-made-by-paul.378854/

FB is annoying

 

[Tommy27]

Nice. But don't let Paul see all that Syncros stuff on there.....

Is there a reason why?

I know Paul has publicly stated his issues with Kona and Rocky Mountain and also watched videos where he critiques other manufacturers products, such as Ritchey (though he's also been very complimentary about stuff Tom handbuilt- it was the factory stuff he was criticising).

 

[PanoIgano]

I think Ritchey was a big inspiration to Paul's early steps.

I also totally get his aversion to Kona stuff especially after all that happened to him with the litigation / sueing. It must be hurting him in a way to see so many Brodie's with P2 on them...but the truth is there are not many alternatives given how rare (and expensive as a result) gatorblades are!

I would be interested to see the videos where he criticises Ritchey as it seems there is more to the Ritchey - Brodie story. Would you be able to share a link?

Tx!

 

[vtwinvince]

Someone told me Paul wasn't keen on Syncros BITD, but I haven't had a chance to confirm that with him. Personally I've always been a fan.

 

[Tommy27]

I think Ritchey was a big inspiration to Paul's early steps.

I also totally get his aversion to Kona stuff especially after all that happened to him with the litigation / sueing. It must be hurting him in a way to see so many Brodie's with P2 on them...but the truth is there are not many alternatives given how rare (and expensive as a result) gatorblades are!

I would be interested to see the videos where he criticises Ritchey as it seems there is more to the Ritchey - Brodie story. Would you be able to share a link?

Tx!

I'll try and find some more.

I think he's just questioning some if the myths around TR, though tbf some of the quotes he uses to critique (I.e. the volume TR is personally brazing) I think relate to the earlier days or Ritchey, not the current company.

Paul comes across as no BS, but also a little salty or at least blunt. Which is something I like in people, but some might not.

 

[PanoIgano]

If I had to keep only one vintage MTB it would be my Sov.

It just rides superbly. Fully modern-feeling in geometry, with a nice long headtube and sloping TT, I feel planted inside the bike thanks to the long wheelbase. The Gartorblade tracks better and rides more smoothly than any other composite fork of that era, too.

Could agree more with this comment.

Sovereigns ride amazingly well.

I don't believe they have long wheelbase in comparison to other brands of the time. They just have a very steep ST angle at 74. This is probably what makes it feel like you are panted inside the bike.

Great looking bike BTW! Enjoy the rides with it!