Chas Roberts frames are very popular in the south east of England. On our Midweek clubrun yesterday there were four of his frames out among thirteen riders. On any Audax ride I see several of his bespoke Audax frames, probably as many as from any other builder. I have only ridden Roberts frames for short distances and never owned one, but they do ride very comfortably. They are considered by most of us to be among the most expensive steel frames made in the UK, but the heavy useage which some of those I am familiar with survive, suggests the money is well spent. Owners often like their Roberts so much that they send them back to be 'modernised' with Ergo fittings etc.
Mike Waite
Amersham Bucks UK
mrwaite@btinternet.com
> Well, I've recently been selling off lots of stuff accumulated over a
wide
> span of years with my eyes clearly focused on purchasing two bikes. One
of
> the deals fell through and the other ended up going on eBay but I won that
> one for what I think is a fine price. What I purchased is a early
eighties
> Chas Roberts frameset with an eclectic composition of components. I've
been
> looking for a quality, relaxed geometry frameset with a triple crankset to
> use for riding some of the biggest hills here in Northern CT and then to
use
> this summer to ride up to the top of Cadillac Mountain, with my daughter
> Leah, in Acadia National Park. Each year we vacation up at the park and
> spend the week mountain hiking and biking. Last year my family and I rode
> up to the top of Day Mountain on our mountain bikes and that got Leah and
I
> going on the idea of doing Cadillac together. Leah rides with me on and
> off, I restored a early Team Fuji for her, she runs cross country, is very
> athletic and a joy to ride with. It's nice that as a teenager we have a
few
> things still in common. I digress.... So, I've been waiting for the right
> bike in the right size to come along. She appeared and I bought.
>
> I first saw a Chas Roberts at the tiny little Monson swap and show a few
> winters ago and remember how nice the lug work was, how the decals and
paint
> were conservative and understated, and, how much money the seller wanted
for
> that frameset; $700 firm. But it left an impression. Then I heard about
> this bike. Did some searching and quickly found a little about Chas
Roberts
> on Dale's site along with the Roberts website; they still make only custom
> frames/bikes.
>
> See the link below for some pics:
>
>
http://ebay.com/
>
> So, I'm curious. I've now seen two in person and just the few on Dale's
> website. Anyone know a little bit more about the Roberts Company. Have
any
> direct dealings with them? Own/owned one? Riding impressions?
> Workmanship? Etc., etc.
>
> Mine just arrived today and I was not disappointed. Lugs are very nicely
> filed, paint is quite good too. Lug outlining is a bit below par as the
> lines are very thin and were not applied by someone with as steady a hand
as
> I would have like but they do not detract in any way. Some Campagnolo
> components, high flange hubs seem a bit odd for an 80's bike, Suntour
> Superbe stuff is a favorite of mine and then a nice TA triple. Bar and
stem
> are not my size nor bend so they'll be replaced. Saddle has quite the odd
> shape which doesn't really show in the pics and can't imagine will fit me
> (at least I hope not!) so will get replaced too.
>
> If the weather permits, I'll get her out for a ride this weekend and
report
> back.
>
> Thanks for listening. Comments especially appreciated (on list preferably
> as these bikes have not gotten much, if any, list time).
>
> Eric Elman
> Somers, CT