Pashley has made a lot of bikes in its 99-year history but the new Skyline, its idiosyncratic take on the iconic Japanese mini velo, could be its most stylish yet. In Pashley’s words, the Skyline “embodies the essence of mini velo culture and delivers a beautifully hand-crafted bicycle equally for the crosstown traffic-conquering commuter, weekend escape artist or café culture lifestyle lover – it’s full of attitude, promise and surprise.”
While small-wheel bicycles were pioneered in Britain by Alex Moulton in the early 1960s, folded in half by Raleigh and Bickerton in the 1970s and tucked underneath themselves by Brompton in the 1980s, on the other side of the world they evolved quite differently. In Japan, the mini velo was not just a handy, utilitarian, space-saving mode of transportation – it was considered an art form, with custom builders such as Hiroshi Hirose creating beautiful and ornate examples with intricate spearpoint lugs and ingenious cable routing. Even Bianchi and Gios made mini velo versions of their classic race bikes with 20” wheels for the international market.
It’s this type of small-wheel bike – and not the folder – that Pashley is channeling with the Skyline. The frame is handmade in the brand’s factory at Stratford-upon-Avon using a mix of Reynolds 725, 631 and 525 double-butted steel tubing and looks every inch – or rather every 20 inches – the classic of the genre but, as you’d expect, has some clever modern twists.
Pashley says the geometry is designed to take all the advantages of the 20” wheels, combining a controlled and comfortable riding position with direct, confident handling across a variety of terrains. A slightly elongated top tube creates a stable wheelbase while short chainstays are ideal for snappy acceleration. The front-end geometry has been designed to mimic a larger-wheeled bike for familiarity and predictable handling, according to Pashley’s lead designer Jon Cumperbatch. Don’t try to make sense of the geometry chart – you’ll find a head tube that’s almost 32 centimetres tall in the size medium and a 60cm top tube – but that’s all part of the fun.
The Skyline has multiple mounting points for front and rear racks, frame bags, mudguards, bottle cages and more – and clearance for up to 2.3” tyres. Pashley’s CEO, Andy Smallwood, says in the press release: “This bike is all about maximising the unique experience you get from a small-wheeled bike. You could be riding through the city, local village, commuting to work or just out for fun – simply enjoying the exhilaration you get on two wheels. The Skyline Mini Velo will let you (re)discover the joy of cycling, whilst fitting in with your lifestyle and is guaranteed to put a smile on your face. For some it will be the N+1, for everyone else it will be the only one.”
Pashley will offer the Skyline in three sizes (S, M, L) and three builds with drop or flat bars, but bikes can be tailored to the customer’s own specification, accessorised and custom coloured. The frame itself can accommodate different dropout standards, run hub gears, singlespeed or derailleur drivetrains. A dropper post can be added, racks cages and bags can be mounted and larger volume tyres specced.
Builds and pricing
Pashley Skyline Classic Alfine 8 Flat Bar from £1,895/€2,495/$2,895
Alfine 2-piece chainset with single chain guard 170 mm 45T silver groupset, Alfine 8spd Trigger Shifter, Shimano MT200 Disc Brakes 160mm Rotors, 20” Alloy disc rims with 25mm internal, Sapim Spokes, Schwalbe Billy Bonkers Tyres, Polished finishing kit and Brooks B17 Honey Chrome saddle
Pashley Skyline Gravel microSHIFT Advent Drop Bar from £1,895/€2,495/$2,895
microSHIFT FC-G7000 Sword crankset, microSHIFT Super Short Derailleur, microSHIFT Shift / Brake Lever Combination, Tektro Disc Brake Calipers, Shimano 160mm Rotors, 20” Alloy disc rims with 25mm internal, Sapim Spokes, Schwalbe Billy Bonkers Tyres, Ritchey finishing kit and Brooks Cambium C15 saddle
Pashley Skyline Trail microSHIFT Advent Flat Bar from £1,795/€2,295/$2,695
microSHIFT FC-G7000 Sword crankset 170mm 42T, microSHIFT Super Short Derailleur, microSHIFT Shift / Brake Lever Combination, Shimano MT200 Disc Brake Calipers, Shimano 160mm Rotors, 20” Alloy disc rims with 25mm internal, Sapim Spokes, Schwalbe Smart Sam Tyres, Ergotec finishing kit and Brooks Cambium C15 saddle
Frameset £995/€1,295/1,495
For all the details visit Pashley's website – and to see it in real life along with more new Pashley products, book your tickets to Rouleur Live from November 13-15.
