Any Rourke Owners?

bluedog99
bluedog99 Posts: 183
edited November 2012 in Road buying advice
Hi, are any forum members `Rourke` owners? I have booked myself in for a measuring up session at the beginning of November. This is with the purchase of a 853 Audax bike now decided on. :lol: I am wondering what to expect on the day , what bike and spec you have and how you find it. I want my bike to take up tp 28mm tyres with mudguards although it will be fitted with 25mm`s to start. My current bike is a 1996 Dawes Galaxy, so any advice on components etc is welcome. Cheers.
Rourke 853 Team Pro Custom.
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Comments

  • With respect to everyone on this forum (including myself) I think you will get all the good advice you need from Brian Rourke and his staff.
    I'm not getting old... I'm just using lower gears......
    Sirius - Steel Reynolds 631
    Cove Handjob - Steel Columbus Nivacrom
    Trek Madone - Carbon
  • With respect to everyone on this forum (including myself) I think you will get all the good advice you need from Brian Rourke and his staff.

    Indeed...
    left the forum March 2023
  • rjsmith
    rjsmith Posts: 1,924
    Ditto - Brian Rourke is one of those shops that you just know you will get good advice and they won't recommend something just because they have it in stock or can make the most money from it.
  • Thanks for the replies, i`m sure i will get great advice from the guys at Rourkes, never in doubt. Just wondered what other owners thought of there bikes etc. Thanks once again.
    Rourke 853 Team Pro Custom.
  • Admit it,you're just excited as hell and wanted to talk about it didn't you :D
  • I'd have sleepless nights deciding what colour scheme to go for. Have you decided yet?
  • houndlegs wrote:
    Admit it,you're just excited as hell and wanted to talk about it didn't you :D
    Spot on mate, getting giddy already and there is still the 24 week wait for build time!
    Rourke 853 Team Pro Custom.
  • I'd have sleepless nights deciding what colour scheme to go for. Have you decided yet?
    There is a beauty on `Road CC` website which was shown at th Bristol show. It looks pretty cool to me.
    Rourke 853 Team Pro Custom.
  • drlodge
    drlodge Posts: 4,826
    Haven't got my Rourkie yet, was measured up on 6th June and expect Jason to start building in a couple of weeks. Woohoo I'm still sooo excited.

    Gaz did my measuring up since he's taking over from Brian, but Brian was on hand with some advice and looking at my position etc. Didn't actually take long to get my position right, since I took my current bike which was pretty much spot on. Gaz sat me on a Cannondale CAAD which has more "moderate" geometry and my 953 frame is based on a 54cm one of those. But then there's the paint scheme to choose, and components to select (campy Super Record for me), I was there for 5 hours 9am-2pm.

    Its an experience to be savoured, and Jason will post photos on instagram/Twitter @RourkeBikes which is great to see.
    WyndyMilla Massive Attack | Rourke 953 | Condor Italia 531 Pro | Boardman CX Pro | DT Swiss RR440 Tubeless Wheels
    Find me on Strava
  • drlodge wrote:
    Haven't got my Rourkie yet, was measured up on 6th June and expect Jason to start building in a couple of weeks. Woohoo I'm still sooo excited.

    Gaz did my measuring up since he's taking over from Brian, but Brian was on hand with some advice and looking at my position etc. Didn't actually take long to get my position right, since I took my current bike which was pretty much spot on. Gaz sat me on a Cannondale CAAD which has more "moderate" geometry and my 953 frame is based on a 54cm one of those. But then there's the paint scheme to choose, and components to select (campy Super Record for me), I was there for 5 hours 9am-2pm.

    Its an experience to be savoured, and Jason will post photos on instagram/Twitter @RourkeBikes which is great to see.

    5 hours? When I was working in a pub we had customers like that... they just didn't want to leave... we had to physically drag them out at closure... :lol:

    On a more serious note, I will ask for this thread to be closed, as I am getting way to envious for my finances... :twisted:
    left the forum March 2023
  • giant_man
    giant_man Posts: 6,878
    Nah, keep it going, much too good to close ...
  • smidsy
    smidsy Posts: 5,273
    bluedog99 wrote:
    houndlegs wrote:
    Admit it,you're just excited as hell and wanted to talk about it didn't you :D
    Spot on mate, getting giddy already and there is still the 24 week wait for build time!

    Don't let Busta see this - he is likely to report them for poor service :P
    Yellow is the new Black.
  • drlodge wrote:
    Haven't got my Rourkie yet, was measured up on 6th June and expect Jason to start building in a couple of weeks. Woohoo I'm still sooo excited.

    Gaz did my measuring up since he's taking over from Brian, but Brian was on hand with some advice and looking at my position etc. Didn't actually take long to get my position right, since I took my current bike which was pretty much spot on. Gaz sat me on a Cannondale CAAD which has more "moderate" geometry and my 953 frame is based on a 54cm one of those. But then there's the paint scheme to choose, and components to select (campy Super Record for me), I was there for 5 hours 9am-2pm.

    Its an experience to be savoured, and Jason will post photos on instagram/Twitter @RourkeBikes which is great to see.
    Thanks for that mate, i got a shock ,when Gareth said to be there for 9 o` clock ,as the whole thing could take into the afternoon to complete ! Now thats what i call thorough. Sounds like you will have beauty when it`s finished, 953 and super record, wow! What wheels and colour have you gone for? Cheers.
    Rourke 853 Team Pro Custom.
  • I had my fitting about a month ago and it was a fantastic experience - the team there are great and offered sensible advice and were very honest with me what they thought of my ideas (both good and bad). I was there for over 6 hours and ended up going for some lunch with Brian. It was a very long day - arriving for 9am meant a 6am start and I wasn't home till after 8pm - but it was truly memorable and very inspiring. I've been riding a good deal harder and longer since then.

    After much soul searching and a lot of time on the phone with Gareth, I went for an 853 frame in black with white decals with alu Athena, silver CK headset, Mavic/Hope wheels, 3T finishing kit. Black, white and silver - restrained and classic (I hope).

    I have been like a child waiting for Christmas since then - roll on February!

    tpt
  • drlodge
    drlodge Posts: 4,826
    bluedog99 wrote:
    Sounds like you will have beauty when it`s finished, 953 and super record, wow! What wheels and colour have you gone for? Cheers.

    Yes it'll be sweet. Paint scheme is Pearl white (per Sean Kelly's frame in the bar), with gloss black on the head tube (to go with the WCS forks) and also a 1/4 tube black strip under the top/down tubes and behind the seat tube. Chris King headset (black w/white lettering). Ritchey WCS wet black bars/stem/post with the white lettering, white Selle Italia Flite Gel Flow saddle and white bar tape. Wheels I just had built by Harry Rowland, black Campag Record 32T hubs, Excellight black rims, Sapim Race/laser mix spokes. Conti GP4000S (black) tyres. All very black and white!!
    WyndyMilla Massive Attack | Rourke 953 | Condor Italia 531 Pro | Boardman CX Pro | DT Swiss RR440 Tubeless Wheels
    Find me on Strava
  • Tenpasten and Driodge, thanks for the info and the insight, i`ve got plenty to think about thats for sure. Think i will be going for a shade of blue (which one!) and if in my budget a set of campag neutrons. Thanks again.
    Rourke 853 Team Pro Custom.
  • seeing as I already have two (a 631 winter bike and a deda for best), am struggling to find an excuse for a third!

    a great buying experience and great bikes

    seen this? http://vimeo.com/45164169
  • seeing as I already have two (a 631 winter bike and a deda for best), am struggling to find an excuse for a third!

    a great buying experience and great bikes

    seen this? http://vimeo.com/45164169
    Hi, thanks for posting the video link, i actually watched this for the first this morning after a search for all things Rourke. Two Rourkies, very lucky. Cheers.
    Rourke 853 Team Pro Custom.
  • Just out of interest, do you get hold of the groupset, wheels and finishing kit through Rourke too, and if so, is it competitively priced?

    Jealous of you all!
  • AlanW
    AlanW Posts: 291
    I am on my fifth Rourkie bike over the last 20 years, quality service and awesome frames.

    This is the last one in 2009
    brianrourkemarch2009001.jpg

    Then it had a makeover last winter

    rourkieiireworked.jpg
    "You only need two tools: WD40 and duct tape. If it doesn't move and it should, use WD40. If it moves and it shouldn't, use duct tape"
  • Just out of interest, do you get hold of the groupset, wheels and finishing kit through Rourke too, and if so, is it competitively priced?

    Jealous of you all!
    Yes mate, you can get the complete bike made up.
    Rourke 853 Team Pro Custom.
  • rourkieiireworked.jpg[/quote]

    Love the face lift. Any chance of some shots of the other four?

    tpt
  • AlanW
    AlanW Posts: 291
    Sadly not, they have long gone :-(
    "You only need two tools: WD40 and duct tape. If it doesn't move and it should, use WD40. If it moves and it shouldn't, use duct tape"
  • rowman
    rowman Posts: 111
    I can remember excellent service and copious cups of tea. My first Roukre hit 21 years old last year and is still gets me to work everyday.
  • AlanW wrote:
    I am on my fifth Rourkie bike over the last 20 years, quality service and awesome frames.

    This is the last one in 2009
    brianrourkemarch2009001.jpg

    Then it had a makeover last winter

    rourkieiireworked.jpg
    Love the pictures mate, nice paint job that.
    Rourke 853 Team Pro Custom.
  • Just out of interest, do you get hold of the groupset, wheels and finishing kit through Rourke too, and if so, is it competitively priced?

    Jealous of you all!

    the cost of running such a great setup has to be funded somewhere- and if not part from "bits" it would mean the cost of frames increasing- I think it would be rude as well , the parts are a good price

    lets face it- if you wanted to save money - Halfords etc are raring to sell chinese stuff!

    i have a belief that buying local has a value way beyond the initial ticket price
  • Just out of interest, do you get hold of the groupset, wheels and finishing kit through Rourke too, and if so, is it competitively priced?

    Jealous of you all!

    the cost of running such a great setup has to be funded somewhere- and if not part from "bits" it would mean the cost of frames increasing- I think it would be rude as well , the parts are a good price

    lets face it- if you wanted to save money - Halfords etc are raring to sell chinese stuff!

    i have a belief that buying local has a value way beyond the initial ticket price

    I wasn't really asking about saving money. I was just interested to know if Rourke's prices on all but frames are competitive and reasonable and it's great to hear that they are.
  • drlodge
    drlodge Posts: 4,826
    Just out of interest, do you get hold of the groupset, wheels and finishing kit through Rourke too, and if so, is it competitively priced?

    Jealous of you all!

    I'm getting a complete bike minus the wheels from Rourke, already got my wheels made by Harry Rowland. Rourke's will build frame, part or complete bike as you wish.

    So far as pricing is concerned, they're certainly not the lowest but not too bad either. I decided its worth paying a little extra to get the Gruppo/rest from Rourke's so if there's a problem on a near £5k bike, I have one place to go back to.

    Example - Campy Super Record groupset from Ribble/cheap place is about £1600 I think. Rourke's did it for the same price but with Chorus cassette and chain, so I was happy with that.
    WyndyMilla Massive Attack | Rourke 953 | Condor Italia 531 Pro | Boardman CX Pro | DT Swiss RR440 Tubeless Wheels
    Find me on Strava
  • Buying a bike from Rourke is a great experience - Gareth and Brian are friendly without being patronising and simply can't do enough for you. They went through everything in a huge amount of detail, carrying on long after I thought it was perfect (about 5 hours into the process). It involves lots of tea, stories and pro tips - top stuff.

    I had my fitting in January and went for 853 tubing with Chorus. The photo doesn't really do it justice - the detail on the frame and paintwork is gorgeous. Mudguards are off right now, but think it might be time to put them back on...
    I'm still delight with the build quality and ride - wish I'd done it much sooner. 8027187514_a3298cbf8e.jpg
  • Buying a bike from Rourke is a great experience - Gareth and Brian are friendly without being patronising and simply can't do enough for you. They went through everything in a huge amount of detail, carrying on long after I thought it was perfect (about 5 hours into the process). It involves lots of tea, stories and pro tips - top stuff.

    I had my fitting in January and went for 853 tubing with Chorus. The photo doesn't really do it justice - the detail on the frame and paintwork is gorgeous. Mudguards are off right now, but think it might be time to put them back on...
    I'm still delight with the build quality and ride - wish I'd done it much sooner. 8027187514_a3298cbf8e.jpg
    Blimey thats a beauty, love the paint job. Hope you don`t mind me asking, was the paint job extra. Cheers.
    Rourke 853 Team Pro Custom.