tj cycles

blazingsaddles · Post by **blazingsaddles** » 10 Sep 2008, 11:26pm

Whilst on the web I came across this site www.tjcycles.co.uk.

As far as I can gather he offers two frames for touring. One orthodox and another called the flying gate. The prices look reasonable enough. Anybody got one or know about them?

vernon · Post by **vernon** » 11 Sep 2008, 7:04am

blazingsaddles wrote:Whilst on the web I came across this site www.tjcycles.co.uk.

As far as I can gather he offers two frames for touring. One orthodox and another called the flying gate. The prices look reasonable enough. Anybody got one or know about them?

I have a Trevor Jarvis Flying Gate which is based upon the original design built in Bradford in the 1950s. It offers no significant advantage over a conventional touring frame. The original designers claimed that the fram was stiff thus transferring more power from the pedals to the wheels making acceleration better under racing conditions...one of the primary purposes of the design along with the shorter wheelbase facilitated by the vertical seat tube.

The era in which the original was built was marked by many unorthodox designs such as the Jack Taylor curved seat tube design and the Bates Cantiflex tubing frames and the curly Hetchins.

The designs still have a dedicated following and are indeed still manufactured by folk wanting to perpetuate the design. I own a Flying Gate simply because I like the look of it and not because it is a superior tourer - I don't think it is anything other than an extraordinary design.

thirdcrank · Post by **thirdcrank** » 11 Sep 2008, 7:25am

vernon wrote:The era in which the original was built was marked by many unorthodox designs such as the Jack Taylor curved seat tube design and the Bates Cantiflex tubing frames and the curly Hetchins.

Advertising of any sort in time trial races used to be prohibited by the RTTC. Even frame transfers had to be covered up. IMO this was a way of getting around that ban.

happyhippo · Post by **happyhippo** » 11 Sep 2008, 11:44am

If you are interested in a "Gate" you may be disappointed as I have read earlier in the year that he has ceased production. Also the prices on the website have not been increased for a considerable length of time (think double!). It's definately worth a phone call to establish whether the rumours are true or not...
Whatever the result the Flying Gate is a wonderful design imho!
Happyhippo

old blue eyes · Post by **old blue eyes** » 18 Sep 2008, 4:58pm

Hi,
I know this is a bit belated but I have ordered a Flying Gate From Trevor in January who said at the time he wanted to retire and would not build anymore. As I wanted the frame for my sixtieth birthday in December 2008 he agreed to build one for me! Was not convinced about the design at first but have grown to like it. Visited Trevor in August to finalise details and he made us very welcome. Prices are obviously increased but worth it for what I consider to be a special handbuilt frame of an artist that will last a lifetime. Give him a call !
Eddy

jim maybury · Post by **jim maybury** » 12 Oct 2008, 7:09pm

We have just returned from Rhayader celebrating the 10th annual Flying Gate weekend.
Nearly 60 people attended. A customer came from Norway to order a new frame from Trevor. No Trevor has not retired he is still busy building frames.

happyhippo · Post by **happyhippo** » 13 Oct 2008, 12:21pm

Any chance of posting photos from the weekend? Regards Happyhippo

vernon · Post by **vernon** » 28 Dec 2008, 9:51pm

jim maybury wrote:We have just returned from Rhayader celebrating the 10th annual Flying Gate weekend.
Nearly 60 people attended. A customer came from Norway to order a new frame from Trevor. No Trevor has not retired he is still busy building frames.

Trevor is indeed still making frames. His web site says as much and I received a speedy response (within two hours this evening) to my queries about refurbishing my Flying Gate frame. Look like I'll have another rideable bike by Easter.

random37 · Post by **random37** » 29 Dec 2008, 12:18am

I've always promised myself that one day I'll get a custom bike that will be the last one I ever own, and these look lovely. And cheap! Well under Mercian prices, even with the 10% price increase since 2003.

vernon · Post by **vernon** » 29 Dec 2008, 2:14am

chris667 wrote:I've always promised myself that one day I'll get a custom bike that will be the last one I ever own, and these look lovely. And cheap! Well under Mercian prices, even with the 10% price increase since 2003.

I sometimes wonder how some manufacturers come up with their prices.

random37 · Post by **random37** » 29 Dec 2008, 9:57am

To be fair, if you're talking about a frame that's handbuilt by someone in the UK, the price of most custom frames is fair enough.
But if the production is mostly automated, from some enormous factory in China with staff that earn 50p an hour, I tend to agree.

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