Tuesday, 22 July 2008

Changes are coming!

In August we not only launch a new look website but we'll also be showing you a whole new range of Witcomb components, clothing and accessories.

Watch this space!

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Wednesday, 14 May 2008

One Eye Grey - Bank Holiday Weekend

Disappearing ladies, off licences on the sites of ancient temples, birds who charge tolls and one?s that stalk with the pigeon hordes. All this and a couple of nasty trips underground. What more could you want from a Bank Holiday Weekend?

The fifth volume of One Eye Grey, the penny dreadful for the 21st century, Bank Holiday Weekend is now available and can be bought from our shop. Witcomb Cycles is continuing to support this thrilling London publication by sponsoring the cover of this latest issue.

The booklet features modern stories based on traditional London tales of the uncanny, paranormal and supernatural. One Eye Grey is a collaborative effort bringing together people who fancied creating something chilling and pocket sized to read on the tube.

Previous issues are also available.

Find out more here.

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Wednesday, 23 April 2008

Frame Repairs

The beauty of a steel frame (apart from its aesthetic one, of course) is that, with the right skills, it can be repaired and given a new lease of life if by any chance it gets damaged. We are lucky to be able to offer those skills to members of the public as well as other bicycle shops.

stack of frames for repair
The fact that we are one of the few shops in the country able to offer this service means that we are given a wide variety of jobs and sometimes on some pretty special bicycles. We can undertake any type of restoration or modification, from adding braze-ons, to changing drop-outs to turn a road frame into a track frame, replacing a piece of corroded tubing or simply respraying a much-loved frame.

For more details about what we offer and to view our price list, please click here.

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Friday, 4 April 2008

Co-founder Celebrates his Ninetieth Birthday

Ernie Witcomb - October 2007Ernie Witcomb who co-founded Witcomb Trading ltd in 1949 celebrated his ninetieth anniversary earlier this week. Today, he was at the shop as usual but to enjoy a rather unusual day.

Most of the morning was spent talking to a camera crew from the fashion company Carhartt, reminiscing about his life-long involvement with the Cycling industry. The afternoon took a more festive tone, with nibbles and drinks being shared with the team and a journalist from the South London Press.

Tomorrow will gather Ernie's friends and family in a celebratory meal.

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Thursday, 3 April 2008

Living South - Wheels of Fortune

Peter Vaughan pedals back in time to explore the long history of Deptford's Witcomb Cycles

When you think of custom tailored suits you think of Saville Row; when you think of handmade shirts you think of Jermyn Street. But when you think of a custom made bicycle, chances are that you wouldn't think of Tanner's Hill in Deptford. This, however, is where the last remaining shop in London specialising in building you a one-off bicycle to your measurements has its home.

[...]

The concept of taking time over things to get them just right - to enjoy the journey as much as the arrival - is gaining momentum again in our culture. Witcomb Cycles has always built bikes in this way, holistically taking the best ingredients, making sure that they suit the rider, planning the end product and then constructing it using other local suppliers for anything from the tubing to the hand-painted logo on the headtube. It is a slow process but the end result is like a meal from your own garden or a fine wine from a small chateau.

Read the full article in Living South here.

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Tuesday, 18 March 2008

Easter opening hours

We are open over the Easter Holidays on the following days:

Tuesday 18 March to Thursday 20 March: 9am to 5pm
Good Friday: Closed
Saturday 22nd March: Open 9am to 12 noon.
Sunday and Easter Monday: Closed.
Open from Tuesday 25 March as normal: 9am to 5pm

We wish all our customers a very happy Easter and look forward to welcoming you to our workshop afterwards.

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Friday, 14 March 2008

Press Release: Witcomb Bicycle Auctioned at Christie's for Charity

A fully bespoke bicycle by Deptford framebuilders Witcomb Cycles went under the hammer for £2,500.00 on Monday night at the prestigious Great Rooms of Christie's in support of the Lighthouse Gala Auction and the Terrence Higgins Trust.

The bicycle, which will be handbuilt to the measurements of the lucky bidder, will feature a unique livery created by the new owner himself with the help of Witcomb Cycles' designer.

Other lots on the night included a shopping trip with Joan Collins, a walk-on part in 'Little Britain USA', a ballroom dancing lesson with Strictly Come Dancing?s Camilla Dallerup or Tony Blair's last conference speech as Prime Minister.

The auction was attended by high profile supporters of the Trust, including Camilla Dallerup and Ian Waite, Claudia Winkleman, Brian Paddick, Tina Hobley and Gaby Roslin. Tracy Emin got on the phone from Australia to introduce the lot she had donated.

Barry Witcomb, director, who has been building frames for the past 50 years said: "It was a very interesting and entertaining night. We are proud to be able to support the important work of the Trust in fighting this global disease."

In total, over £200,000.00 were raised on the night.

Terrence Higgins Trust

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