Velo City: Bicycle Culture and City Life

Roberts Strada

Chas Roberts Strada

The husband-and-wife team of Jakarta’s Pancalen Cycles seem to have a constant procession of interesting machines pass through their doors, ranging from sassy mixte restorations to a Corima Cougar to a heavily modified Colnago Pista. This Roberts Strada recently visited the workshop for a tidy-up, which thankfully retained the patina of a well-ridden life.

Chas Roberts Strada

Charlie Roberts established his own shop in South London in the early 1960s after building frames for his contemporaries. He was joined soon-after by his son Chas, who is now the current proprietor.

Chas Roberts Strada

This bike, in the signature ‘Hot Pink’ hue, is the collaborative effort of Pancalen Cycles and Cicli Boom and a fine example of Roberts’ ‘eclectic’ approach to frame assembly. A Cinelli logo is visible on the seat tube cluster, which joins Columbus SL tubes to a proprietary Roberts bottom bracket shell. Campagnolo provided the front derailleur braze-on.

Chas Roberts Strada

Vintage velo luminary, Stefan Schaefter of Speedbicycles contributed a Shimano Ultegra groupset and a magnificent pair of NOS 8-speed Dura-Ace hubs.

Chas Roberts Strada
Chas Roberts Strada

Whether this Roberts deserves a sympathetic restoration — or is more beautiful wearing the evidence of its miles and the stories they hold — will always be a matter of opinion.

Chas Roberts Strada

Regardless, one thing is certain: As it stands, the Roberts name is still riding and providing a testament to the craft of Charles and Chas. And as long as it does, it’ll be a great ride.

Chas Roberts Strada

Once again, a big thank you to Rangga Panji and Pancalen Cycles for the photography. Keep an eye on their blog for the latest from the shop.