Half dead bird! Swallow ptarmigan (re model...page 7 on)
- Thread starter Tootyred
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It was a bit a a strange experiment in bike building for swallow imho.
From what i understand from the emails from Peter Bird at swallow, the bikes (merlin, ptarmigan etc.....get it now?) were a kinda half way house between off the shelf and custom frame building.
Each frame was hand built, but the tubeset etc, I've been led to believe was set for you.
The problem I assume from a business point is that despite being able to cut cost on materials...you still have to build essentially a one off frame! Plus they were trying to sell against orange who were building abroad.
I think they sold these for a few years 87 to 89 ish....then stopped and went back to full custom. They also moved to " the north" and became " bicycles by design" with their full custom business from their website being " swallow".
https://www.bicycles-by-design.co.uk/bicycles/swallow/
The quality is fantastic and I would certainly recommend their craftsmanship .....especially as they have now had nearly an other 40 years of practice since mine was built!
From what i understand from the emails from Peter Bird at swallow, the bikes (merlin, ptarmigan etc.....get it now?) were a kinda half way house between off the shelf and custom frame building.
Each frame was hand built, but the tubeset etc, I've been led to believe was set for you.
The problem I assume from a business point is that despite being able to cut cost on materials...you still have to build essentially a one off frame! Plus they were trying to sell against orange who were building abroad.
I think they sold these for a few years 87 to 89 ish....then stopped and went back to full custom. They also moved to " the north" and became " bicycles by design" with their full custom business from their website being " swallow".
https://www.bicycles-by-design.co.uk/bicycles/swallow/
The quality is fantastic and I would certainly recommend their craftsmanship .....especially as they have now had nearly an other 40 years of practice since mine was built!
Theres a buyers guide here from 88
The ptarmigan xt was 531 and £806
The merlin xt was Columbus or and £876
The griffon xt was tange prestige and £906.
That was pretty serious money then...especially considered an early prestige pine mountain was £550!
But then they were hand made in the uk....and they are still here and going!
https://www.retrobike.co.uk/threads/bicycle-buyers-guide-1988-9.251100/
The ptarmigan xt was 531 and £806
The merlin xt was Columbus or and £876
The griffon xt was tange prestige and £906.
That was pretty serious money then...especially considered an early prestige pine mountain was £550!
But then they were hand made in the uk....and they are still here and going!
https://www.retrobike.co.uk/threads/bicycle-buyers-guide-1988-9.251100/
Ok. Where was I....
Oh yes. Im missing a rear mech. Glad to say there is one. A donor was found courtesy of @raidan73 . All working but a little "tired". So, its been stripped, de greased, metal parts sheep dipped for rust, body resprayed, body polished, greased and put back together......simples....
Oh yes. Im missing a rear mech. Glad to say there is one. A donor was found courtesy of @raidan73 . All working but a little "tired". So, its been stripped, de greased, metal parts sheep dipped for rust, body resprayed, body polished, greased and put back together......simples....
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I also did some other polishing at the same time....including a xt chainset, just to see how stupidly shiny you can go if you end with bolpol rouge.
If you missed it on the shiny parts thread...here you go.....stupid and totally impractical
" hi guys...coooeeee over here"
If you missed it on the shiny parts thread...here you go.....stupid and totally impractical
" hi guys...coooeeee over here"
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Final bit is the saddle. Ive gone for one i recovered with a bit if Alcantara...freebie.
Not exactly period....its 92 base, but with the suede covering it looks very 80s "turbo" style. I don't know why they stopped making suede saddles, there was something about them i really loved.
Not exactly period....its 92 base, but with the suede covering it looks very 80s "turbo" style. I don't know why they stopped making suede saddles, there was something about them i really loved.
So...its done...again .
Here are some pics. Been out for a few miles test run to the local park, so just needs a really good ride.....today might be that day, given the return of the sun!
.Here are some pics. Been out for a few miles test run to the local park, so just needs a really good ride.....today might be that day, given the return of the sun!
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