New touring bike by Oxford Bike Works ??

[roundisland]

Hi I'm thinking of selling my Dawes Galaxy as its never been a perfect fit. I've come across this site a new company building bikes in Oxford, I think the bike looks nice. Any thoughts would be useful.

http://www.oxfordbikeworks.co.uk/OxfordBikeWorks/Model_1.html

 

[Fab Foodie]

Hi, no direct experience, but somebody on yacf has from memory.

They're local to me, a few friends have visited and come away with very positive reports. I'm hoping they will be displaying at the Abingdon Spring Cycling Festival on Sunday 13th April (if you want to come down and join the fun!).

My understanding is that the frames are very well made and specc'd. However, they are not frame-builders so frames are not custom built exactly to fit each individual like say Rourke or Mercian or Jacksons etc.
The operators are seemingly knowledgeable and enthusiastic and it effectively means you can have the bike build tailored to your needs ... thus still far better than an off-the peg job.
What's more they are a small independent company which for my money is always better than dealing with BigCo.

Try a post on yacf.

 

[roundisland]

Hi thanks for the info will try to come down on the the 12th and see if I can arrange a visit to OBW . Its a good weekend for me as im off work so will stay down over night and visit the bike fair. possibly join in one of the rides also

Thanks again.

 

[Blue Hills]

Looks very nice to me and will give some companies a very good run for their money who are maybe trying to mystify the whole process.

They don't, from that ad, appear to do bike fitting as such but are relying on very knowledgeable cyclists to know their measurements.

Copywriting needs a bit of a tweak maybe - seems to say that the components are designed to last the life of the bike. I think I know what they mean.

Interesting that they seem to highlight flat bars.

They seem to know their stuff and have good views based on experience though I do wonder why they have gone for 10 speed for a tourer.

Best of luck to them.

OP, please report back on your hands-on impressions.

 

[JPLL]

Tom Allen has just written a review on his blog:
http://tomsbiketrip.com/

So I’m really happy to be able to showcase Richard’s work here. The bikes are fantastic, he cares a ton about what he does and does it well, and he’s the first bike builder I’ve come across who’s pricing model puts custom-built touring bikes in competition with the mainstream tourers.

 

[Cycleops]

Looks good, especially for the money. Like the colour scheme too. Should be a good buy.

 

[furball]

It got quite a good write up in Cycle magazine

 

[screenman]

Hi I'm thinking of selling my Dawes Galaxy as its never been a perfect fit. I've come across this site a new company building bikes in Oxford, I think the bike looks nice. Any thoughts would be useful.

http://www.oxfordbikeworks.co.uk/OxfordBikeWorks/Model_1.html

Have you had a proper professional bike fit done?

 

[roundisland]

Tom Allen has just written a review on his blog:
http://tomsbiketrip.com/

Thanks for the link sounds promising lots of info it's a good report.

Have you had a proper professional bike fit done?

Never had a proper bike fitting. Our frames come in various sizes with and top tube lengths, hopefully I can try a couple of different sizes on the 12th and see how they feel. I've made do now for a few years with badly fitting bike and taking the bike around South of France including a slow ride up Ventoux was a struggle at times, always felt over stretched when on the hoods. I now have the shortest stem possible and saddle as far forward as practicable and it's still not quite right. Fingers crossed I can get a good fit from OXB.