Pashley Roadfinder

Pashley Roadfinder, new models from a classic brand

The Pashley Roadfinder range is a change from their usual output. This from a UK brand that many would associate with more, sedate models. Mention the name Pashley and it brings to mind images of practical, no-nonsense bikes. The kind you’d see being ridden by the village bobby or the butcher’s delivery rider. However the new Pashley Roadfinder range is nothing like those bikes!

Pashley Roadfinder with mechanical Shimano 105 in Oak Green with matching mudguards
Pashley Roadfinder with mechanical Shimano 105 in Oak Green with matching mudguards

This new range focuses on high-quality performance riding, rather than previous, more pedestrian models. According to the press-release, “The brief for the Roadfinder project was to develop a collection of extremely versatile bicycles that give cyclists the ability to conquer multiple terrains, journeys and adventures on one beautifully hand-crafted machine. From all-season endurance road rides, off-road gravel trails to bike-packing exploration, this is the ‘Swiss Army Knife of Bicycles’.

3D printed seat junction as used on all the Pashley Roadfinder frames
3D printed seat junction as used on all the Pashley Roadfinder frames

The new bikes feature lightweight Reynolds tubing, carbon forks, drop-bars, electronic shifting and hydraulic braking. None of this has previously been seen on Pashley bikes, which have tended to be practical and hard-wearing. I often see see older models, equipped with baskets, racks, side-stands, mudguards and Sturmey Archer gears, still being ridden despite their age. While they aren’t fast they are reliable. These Roadfinder bikes do look like a completely different breed.

Pashley Roadfinder range

The new Pashley Roadfinder range comes in four varieties; Roadfinder, Roadfinder X, Roadfinder E and Roadfinder X E. The Roadfinder and Roadfinder X pair lightweight Reynolds 853 steel tubing, with a carbon fibre fork. The frameset has full e-coating corrision protection, 3D printed seat-tube/top-tube junctions, UDH compatible dropouts with internal cable routing, removable front mech hanger and internal cable routing guides. The machined 44mm head-tube leads into the Columbus Futura Cross+ carbon fork with flip chip drop-out.

All Pashley Roadfinder X models use a single chainring
All Pashley Roadfinder X models use a single chainring

Roadfinder

Pashley says the Roadfinder is a versatile road focussed bike. It’s aimed at riders that will be riding “endurance road riding, group rides, commuting, touring, audax and more…” With a ‘standard’ specification coming in at 9.5kg and starting at £2795, could the Roadfinder relaunch the Pashley marque on to the roads?

“The design process for the new Roadfinder platform allowed us to look at combining a more
endurance focussed geometry whilst maintaining a performance edge. We’ve introduced 3D printed
elements to the frame to enhance the overall ride experience and to amplify the clean lines.”
Jon
Cumberpatch, Lead Designer, Pashley

3D printed parts making their way on to a Pashley bike for the first time

Versatile and road focused

The Roadfinder models in more detail: The Pashley Roadfinder is a versatile road focused bicycle
aimed at everything from endurance road riding, group rides, commuting, touring, audax and more…
Featuring Shimano mechanical and Di2 groupset options, Parcours Alta carbon wheels and
Zipp/Brooks finishing kit. Standard specification complete bike weights from 9.5kg.

The Roadfinder comes in three groupset options, they are Shimano 105, 105 Di2 or Ultegra Di2. The frame is designed around an extended top tube and shorter stem, to reduce toe overlap when using mudguards. The frame has clearance for tyres up to 45mm, allowing it to tackle broken UK roads! Geometry can be fine-tuned using the flip-chip dropout in the front drop-out. It will be interesting to see how this works and what effects is has on handling.

Pashley P on the rear drop-out

The frame has multiple attachment points for mudguards, luggage and bottles. This makes it what Pashley call the ‘Swiss Army Knife of Bicycles’. A fast steel frame that can be adapted to your style of riding. Wheels are Parcours Alta with carbon fibre 36mm deep, 24mm wide tubeless ready rims. Tyres are Panaracer Gravel King slick 35c with gumwall sides. You can also get optional colour-matched mudguards.

Roadfinder Prices

105 : £2,795 : USA $ 3,995 : EU € 3,695
105 Di2 : £3,995 : USA $ 5,695 : EU € 5,295
Ultegra Di2 : £4,595 : USA $ 6,595 : EU € 5,995

Roadfinder X

The Roadfinder X uses the same frame and fork as the Roadfinder, but adds some off-road touches. These include a choice of Shimano GRX mechanical, Campagnolo Ekar mechanical or SRAM Rival AXS wireless groupsets. All of which will run on a single, narrow/wide 40 tooth chainring. Wheels are Parcours Alta with carbon fibre 36mm deep, 24mm wide tubeless ready rims. Tyres are Panaracer Gravel King 45C with gumwall sides.

Pashley Roadfinder E with Shimano 105 Di2
Pashley Roadfinder E with Shimano 105 Di2

Other off-road style components include Zipp XPLR 70 handlebars and an all-weather Brooks C15 Cambium saddle. The Roadfinder X comes with a 27.2mm Zipp Service Course seatpost, shimmed to fit the 31.6mm seat-tube. This is to allow the option to fit a 31.6mm dropper post, if needed.

Roadfinder X Prices

Shimano GRX 610 : £2,795 : USA $ 3,995 : EU € 3,695
Rival AXS : £4,295 : USA $ 6,195 : EU € 5,695
Campagnolo Ekar: £4,595 : USA $ 6,595 : EU € 6,095

Pashley Roadfinder E and Roadfinder X E

If you feel you need a little assistance on your rides then the Roadfinder E and Roadfinder X E are what you need. E stands for electric and both models come with a Mahle X20 motor. The motor is mounted in the rear hub and weighs 1.9Kg and produces 55Nm. The 250Wh battery sits inside the down-tube and you can buy a 171Wh range-extender battery that will give you a 70% increase in range. A top-tube mounted display allows you to monitor battery usage.

The E versions use a Mahle X20 rear hub motor
The E versions use a Mahle X20 rear hub motor

Both models use a combination of Reynolds 725, 631 and 525 tubing, again with full e-coating corrosion protection. As with the non-electric models you get 3D printed signature seat-tube/top tube junction and internal cable routing guides. Up front is a full carbon e-bike compliant Road/Gravel fork with tapered steerer.

Top-tube mounted console on the Pashley Roadfinder E
Top-tube mounted console on the Pashley Roadfinder E

As with the non-electric versions the E range comes in road and off-road versions. Each bike has the same specs and colours as the non-electric version.

Roadfinder E Prices

105 : £3,995 : USA $ 5,795 : EU € 5,295
105 Di2 : £5,295 : USA $ 7,595 : EU € 6,995
Ultegra Di2 : £5,995 : USA $ 8,595 : EU € 7,995

Roadfinder X E Prices

Shimano GRX 610 : £3,995 : USA $ 5,795 : EU € 5,295
SRAM Rival AXS: £5,495 : USA $ 7,895 : EU € 7,295
Campagnolo Ekar: £5,995 : USA $ 8,595 : EU € 7,995

3D manufacturing comes to the Pashley factory

Pashley are proud of the new Roadfinders, CEO Andy Smallwood said ‘The Roadfinder collection also perfectly showcases and builds on our heritage of artisan frame-building, appealing to all riders who appreciate true versatility, performance and the unique ride experience you only get from a high-end steel frame, built by hand using the very best materials”. The Roadfinder bikes are still manufactured in Pashley’s Stratford-Upon-Avon factory, where the brand has been since 1926.

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