www.savilerow-style.com
Saville Row Banner.jpg
FOR MEN WHO KNOW BEST

BESPOKE HITS THE BIKE SCENE

SURE to cut a swathe through the usual gaggle of bikers hurtling off as the lights change are these stylish, high quality bespoke bikes from Pitango.

Pitango was born in North London this summer,  the result of three young bluebike.jpgentrepreneurs coming together to bring some excitement to the biking scene. Fed up with the uniformity of most cycles, the team concentrated upon creating carefully crafted designs in bright colours.

As the London bike culture continues to grow, boosted by on-going sporting success as well as environmental and economic factors, it was clear that there was a market for some rather more distinctive styling. Pitango has stepped into the limelight with quite some of the yellowbike.jpgbrightest bikes – pillar box red, canary yellow and powder blue are sample colours that not only look great but might just be a safety factor, as they are extremely visible.

The basis is a high quality steel frame that either has the classic road bike construction or the step-through ‘ladies’ style favoured by the Dutch. The bespoke  factor comes through in that customers may specify the handlebar style they require and their choice of colour combinations for the bike’s tyres, rims, wheels, chainset, seat and bar tape. ladiesbike.jpgThe end result is an original tailored to the individual.

The bikes are streamlined but sturdy, with Chromo steel lugged forks and thick 28mm tyres for a balanced ride, and a choice of one or three gears. Prices start at £375. Find on www.pitangobikes.com . Make sure to buy a security chain too!

 

RETURN OF THE MODS

Luxury cars, luxury bikes – and now the luxury scooter. That icon of 1960s Mod transport, the Vespa has been relaunched in handcrafted quality with state-of-the-art technology.

The Vespa 946 is available in a limited edition for the UK market, and should have vespa.jpgappeal to the growing band of bike riders in London and beyond.  It retains some of the Italian va-va-vroom that made it such a desirable stead for Mod stylists, with the addition of a 125 cc four-stroke engine, three valved and with air-cooling. This means it is eco-friendly, giving dramatically reduced fuel consumption and gas emissions.

Fleets of Mods on Vespas, and also Lambrettas, would head for coastal resorts in the ‘60s, for famous dust-ups with their Rocker rivals, who arrived on motor bikes. Mods were distinguished by their smart dressing, favouring Italian-style suits off their scooters, topped by parkas when on. As the Mod craze waned in the late 70s, the Vespa largely disappeared too, but came back in the 80s, and now there is an enthusiastic market for classic old models, restored and returned to original style.

This new one is available to order now, in white or black, price £7,740. Go to www.vespa.com/en/946

 

 
 

2013

:: SAVILE ROW Style Magazine ::

 
 
contact Home - Contents in brief
   
contact Following fancy footsteps
   
contact Tailor hosts art show
   
contact Brits don't know their fizz
   
contact Living in London
   
contact Cultural attractions
   
contact Peacock's revival
   
contact Miracle on Savile Row
   
contact Dandy alive and well
   
contact Bespoke gifts
   
contact Sporting Tailor
   
contact Bespoke shirts in Manchester
   
contact Two wheels good
   
contact Tailors pick Hot Spots
   
contact English horology on show
   
contact The Best of British
   
contact Contact - Details and registration
   
contact Tailors of Savile Row - listing of top tailors and interviews
   
contact Archive - Back Issues
 
     
:: FOOTNOTE ::
 

VISIBILITY helps save lives and to go with the bright bikes, left, these great trainers from Olver Sweeney add an eye-catching footnote.

sweeneyshoes.jpg

In a new leather with matte finish, they feature Sweeney's usual hand crafted make and finish. Boots are £225, trainers £195. www.oliversweeney.com

:: HEADNOTE ::

FOR cyclists keen to capture their route on film, the latest camera head mount allows a lightweight view of the world from the saddle.

cameramount.jpg

The Camera Demon from Proporta is easy to attach to a helmet and is fully adjustable, so that a camera may be tilted and rotated to a full 360 degrees. Suitable for all sorts of biking, made in the UK, price around £24.95.
www.proporta.com