1940s Phillips

This is Christopher Rowe with his late '40s Phillips, fitted with a Sram seven speed hub gear and German style trekking bars. This bike was a bit over £400. Chris wanted a "do it all machine", which meant he wanted it for commuting, pleasure rides and touring. No bike will ever do it all, but Neil thought this specification came closest within the budget.

Chris looks happy in this picture. This was before the bike started having problems. It inexplicably broke three chains before we finally traced the problem to the rear sprocket. Chris was very patient through all this, though his emails had subject lines like "Alas more woes". After we solved this very rare problem, the bike has been fine.

Chris is a Minister of the Church of Scotland and is trying to get a new "eco church" built in his parish.