BikeBiz Bicycle and cycling retail news
Stratford-upon-Avon’s Pashley Cycles is one of the UK’s largest bicycle manufacturers. BikeBiz catches up with customer service manager Blake Lavelle…
How many bikes do you own and where do you ride?
I’m currently down to just three bikes; it used to be around six or seven! This includes my singlespeed Porteur that I ride to work on daily. Warwickshire is on the edge of the Cotswolds which offers beautiful routes on and off-road – and plenty of decent coffee shops!
Describe your role at Pashley:
My role at Pashley is mainly centred on Customer Service and warranty, I take care of queries from our dealers and organise any parts that may be required under warranty conditions, I also answer queries from Pashley customers; as we only supply bicycles and parts through dealers I always direct them to their nearest retailer and this is a great way to maintain support for the great bike shops that stock our range.
What projects are keeping you busy at present?
The team have just returned from Eurobike where they displayed a number of brand new models, These include some radical departures from our normal style including a Reynolds 531/653 steel road bike with a Campagnolo group, which has been named the “Roadfinder” which perfectly complements our new Pathfinder range, as well as a three speed Porteur bicycle with disc brakes and a Reynolds tube frame, This one we have called “The Butler” – these bikes and a couple more will be on display at Interbike, Las Vegas later this month.
How can the trade get in touch?
I take care of our main email address: hello@pashley.co.uk or I can be reached on 01789 292263. Whilst we do keep our factory doors shut to members of the public we are always happy to give our dealers a tour of our place and show them how our bicycles are made, I think it’s a great opportunity for shop managers and staff to see how the bicycles are really made and meet the people behind each stage of production, assembly and despatch. If any shops do fancy a tour, it’s best to give us a call beforehand so we can get the coffee on!
BikeBiz’s In the Saddle Q&A is sponsored by Extra UK
