SPA CYCLES 631 Tour Special

[horizon]

http://spacycles.co.uk/m1b17s21p3550/SP ... ur-Special

It's new, I presume.

Any thoughts/comments?

[Spinners]

Looks OK. I've seen that exact shade of blue before!

I wonder what size tyres it could take with guards?

[reohn2]

Spa's current range of bikes have a lot going for them IMHO.but there's no geometry chart for the new bike.
The red the 631 Audax as shown on their website is particularly appealing.

It's a minor point but graphics/brand name style need work on them,IMO that and a serious advertising campaign could increase sales dramatically.

Edit

[horizon]

My initial thoughts were:

Why 631 versus 725 - differences? (weight, feel, price?) 631 is £100 cheaper but is that frame or equipment?
Frame geometry identical to tourer (sizing is different)?
Frame only?
Would you recommend the 631 Tour over the Tourer for certain roles and vice versa?

[pwa]

In theory 725 has a higher tensile strength than 631, but I don't think that translates into being better to ride. I don't think the extra strength of 725 results in the tube walls being thinner, so they must be about the same weight.

Seems like a good price.

[reohn2]

My initial thoughts were:

Why 631 versus 725 - differences? (weight, feel, price?) 631 is £100 cheaper but is that frame or equipment?
Frame geometry identical to tourer (sizing is different)?
Frame only?
Would you recommend the 631 Tour over the Tourer for certain roles and vice versa?

I can't find that information on Spa's website.

TBH I think Spa's bikes could/perhaps are/if not should be making a big dent in a certain Somerset company's sales.

[PH]

Discussed elsewhere on the forum - It's the Aarvis, sold under many names, Hewitt Cheviot probably the best known. It's been suggested they've bought up some redundant stock from Beyercycles (sp?), they're certainly priced cheaper than when sold elsewhere.

[reohn2]

Discussed elsewhere on the forum - It's the Arvis, sold under many names, Hewitt Cheviot probably the best known.

Is that a fact or an assumption?

[PH]

Discussed elsewhere on the forum - It's the Arvis, sold under many names, Hewitt Cheviot probably the best known.

Is that a fact or an assumption?

Judge for yourself
viewtopic.php?f=5&t=109407&p=1055387&hilit=spa+elan#p1055387
This one is better with Colin confirming it
viewtopic.php?f=5&t=109407&hilit=spa+elan&start=15#p1054432

[Bonefishblues]

My initial thoughts were:

Why 631 versus 725 - differences? (weight, feel, price?) 631 is £100 cheaper but is that frame or equipment?
Frame geometry identical to tourer (sizing is different)?
Frame only?
Would you recommend the 631 Tour over the Tourer for certain roles and vice versa?

I can't find that information on Spa's website.

TBH I think Spa's bikes could/perhaps are/if not should be making a big dent in a certain Somerset company's sales.

Same or similar for a goodly shed less money's my impression.

[reohn2]

My initial thoughts were:

Why 631 versus 725 - differences? (weight, feel, price?) 631 is £100 cheaper but is that frame or equipment?
Frame geometry identical to tourer (sizing is different)?
Frame only?
Would you recommend the 631 Tour over the Tourer for certain roles and vice versa?

I can't find that information on Spa's website.

TBH I think Spa's bikes could/perhaps are/if not should be making a big dent in a certain Somerset company's sales.

Same or similar for a goodly shed less money's my impression.

Well I didn't like saying so but seeing as you mention it.......
PS,Spa's could even be better.

[horizon]

Discussed elsewhere on the forum - It's the Aravis, sold under many names, Hewitt Cheviot probably the best known. It's been suggested they've bought up some redundant stock from Beyercycles (sp?), they're certainly priced cheaper than when sold elsewhere.

I would go with that. The blue frame looks a different colour though - I thought the Byercycles was a bit metallic but I could be wrong. Unless of course Spa have their own paint job done (at the factory). It does say:

"built to our specification"

[pwa]

The frames made by that Somerset place have neat welds (do the Spa steel frames?) and nice stickers. Spa's stickers are rubbish. But apart from that I can't see what paying the Somerset premium gets you. Both retailers know their stuff and will swap parts around to suit you.

[reohn2]

Discussed elsewhere on the forum - It's the Arvis, sold under many names, Hewitt Cheviot probably the best known.

Is that a fact or an assumption?

Judge for yourself
viewtopic.php?f=5&t=109407&p=1055387&hilit=spa+elan#p1055387
This one is better with Colin confirming it
viewtopic.php?f=5&t=109407&hilit=spa+elan&start=15#p1054432

Thanks I was unaware of that,it answers a few questions that sprang to mind.

[PH]

[
I would go with that. The blue frame looks a different colour though - I thought the Byercycles was a bit metallic but I could be wrong. Unless of course Spa have their own paint job done (at the factory). It does say:
"built to our specification"

I don't know what the current situation is, but when I bought my Hewitt Cheviot 13 years ago, the frames were being imported unpainted and ex frame builder Mike Kowal was painting them and adding extra braze ons if wanted. The decals on all those I've seen have been under lacquer. whatever the name was.
I like my Hewitt, not my most ridden bike but always a pleasure. I went to try one after reading CJs positive review (He bought one himself) When later reviewing the Spa tourer (Which he then also bought the ti version of) he said something like, there were only small geometry differences but all in the right direction. So it seems an odd choice to me, other than price, for Spa to stock them both, though this is just idle chatter, it's their business.