Claud Butler - in general

[billinger]

What is everyone's thoughts on Claud Butler?

When we were kids, a mate of mine had a little Claud Butler MTB and made out that it was the dogs.

It did seem quite a good bike.

Bike shop near me has got a couple of nice looking sub £600 CB road bikes in the window that i'm thinking of having a look at - but speaking to another chap at a bike shop elsewhere who also sells them, he's said that they're ok, but just ok. Nothing spectacular.

I know it may well be a case of getting what you pay for and fair enough, a £500 CB isn't going to be as good as a £5000 Specialized (probably).

Are they like the 'Skoda' of the bike world? I.e. quite cheap but generally quite a good bike??

 

[SquareDaff]

I can't comment on the road bikes but my 1st hybrid was a CB. They're pretty much bomb proof. Solid, reliable and do the job they're designed for. They're just not "sexy", super light, high end machines. But if you want something that'll take just about anything the English weather throws at it then you won't go far wrong.

 

[billinger]

Thanks SquareDaff.

Think that's what i meant with the Skoda comment - cars being my main interest. You want something 'sexy' and with big appeal with a VW engine - you buy a Scirocco or an Audi.

Whereas a Skoda does the job required just as well but without having the same sort of appeal.

Puts it into perspective for me anyway... ta!

 

[SquareDaff]

Puts it into perspective for me anyway... ta!

No problems - glad to be of help

 

[Matt1705]

I bought a second hand Claud Butler Roubaix for £219 off ebay. Not sure how old it is but pleased with it so far, any questions feel free to ask

 

[billinger]

I think the Roubaix is the one i've seen. Does look a very nice bike.

Not sure where i'm going with bikes at the moment though - kind of like the Cyclo-cross i was on yesterday - but i've got my MTB for anything vaguely bumpy. Keep thinking road bikes may well be the way forward. Just been to LBS and ended up looking at a Merida Cyclo Cross for £999, and a Merida Road bike for £599. Need to make my mind up!

 

[billinger]

Merida road bike was a Ride Lite - seems a better than internet price at £599!

 

[Davidc]

Back in the mists of time they were a part of Holdsworth.

They were good then.

Except that the wheels had steel rims and they wouldn't stop in the wet, and most of them only had 5 gears.

 

[jonny jeez]

my first Commuter was my 20 year old CB MTB Competition. she ran tight as a nut and never squeaked rattled or complained (used to change gears on her own thought hence the name Chitty).

I wont hesitate in dusting her off for Single track rides down at bedgeburry despite her years. When I bought her she was cutting edge with ally everything and has served me well.
I think CB became falcon a while ago and then adjusted to lower cost lower build quality.

 

[Skipper]

I currently have a Claude B Urban 500 hybrid. It's the second one though because the frame shattered after just one year on the first one. Broke in two places near the chain ring, and Claude B said that they had never had it snap there before. Not sure on the quality of bike, but they replaced the whole bike free of charge, since the frame came with a lifetime guarantee.

 

[Drago]

I have trialled the Claud Butler D27 at work. Not a particularly good bike.

They seem to be trading off the name and the rose tinted memories of those if a certain age. I can't think of anything to particularly recommend them today.

Ps, has anyone checked Skodas RRPs lately and compared them to the mainstream opposition? It's a long time since they were cheap.

 

[billinger]

Thanks for the responses to date. All interesting stuff.

 

[billinger]

Ps, has anyone checked Skodas RRPs lately and compared them to the mainstream opposition? It's a long time since they were cheap.

Depends! The Yeti is massively expensively in my opinion! If they'd have sold it for a few grand less it would've sold a lot more cars as it gets some really good reviews.

The Octavia however, is very reasonable in my book.

It is indeed a long time since they were cheap - but also a long time since they were nasty!

(Bit O/T i suppose but i started it - sorry!)

 

[Andrew_Culture]

My ancient tourer was a Claud Butler, and my single speed is based on (I think) a Roubaix frame. Both were perfectly charming.

It's funny how non-cyclists know the name Claud Butler and associate it with reet classy schmutter.

 

[HovR]

A friend of mine has one of the lower end Claud Butler hybrids. Seems like a nice bike, is relatively light and rides well.