Rotrax in Southampton: Gone

Simon Bennett said:

Unless they have moved, it would appear that Rotrax is no more. Shame. I'm
in Southampton today so I thought I'd pop in to get a new Michelin Pro Race
(see Gah! above) on my way to the office.

Rotrax had a real history behind it; they used to mass produce bikes from a
workshop in Freemantle; some of their frames are really sought after. I
always used to wonder who would take over when the two old guys there
retired as there didn't seem to be any younger members of staff.

You could always pop in to Rock 'n Road instead down near the stadium
and gaze at the exotica from Waterford, Moots, Serotta and others while
you pick up a tyre

--
Tony

"Anyone who conducts an argument by appealing to authority is not using
his intelligence; he is just using his memory."
- Leonardo da Vinci

Simon Bennett said:

Unless they have moved, it would appear that Rotrax is no more. Shame. I'm
in Southampton today so I thought I'd pop in to get a new Michelin Pro Race
(see Gah! above) on my way to the office.

Rotrax had a real history behind it; they used to mass produce bikes from a
workshop in Freemantle; some of their frames are really sought after. I
always used to wonder who would take over when the two old guys there
retired as there didn't seem to be any younger members of staff.

It was always my favourite bike shop and when racing obtained most of my kit
from them.
I'd regularly ride the 25miles from home to shirley on Saturdays to stock up
with tubs and the suchlike.
They also built several pairs of wheels - all tied & soldered.
It was sad to see the shop up for sale and when I passed by a month or so back
I saw it had gone - replaced by an arty-farty shop, that probably won't last
long.

Right up to the end it was one of the real 'traditional' bike shops - with a
distinct lack of self-service shrink-wrapped accessories. It was like walking
into a time-warp.

I suspect it was hit by the local competition. Two bike shops opened up close
by and anyone buying Rotrax would have been on a hiding to nothing, despite
its history. GA Cycles just down the road is a very well stocked shop with a
good range of road/hybrid/mountain bikes and I'd recommend it - but it hasn't
the atmosphere of Rotrax.

I do see that an ad for Rotrax capes has appeared in the last 'Cycle' over in
Bitterne on the other side of Southampton, but I haven't checked it out yet.

John B

Simon Bennett said:

Unless they have moved, it would appear that Rotrax is no more. Shame. I'm
in Southampton today so I thought I'd pop in to get a new Michelin Pro
Race (see Gah! above) on my way to the office.

Rotrax had a real history behind it; they used to mass produce bikes from
a workshop in Freemantle; some of their frames are really sought after. I
always used to wonder who would take over when the two old guys there
retired as there didn't seem to be any younger members of staff.

They are no more. Not sure of the details though. Several of Southampton's
CTC members have Rotrax bicycles. They know more about the demise of the
shop than I do. I may ask on Sunday.
--
Chris

John B said:

Quoted message said:

I do see that an ad for Rotrax capes has appeared in the last 'Cycle' over in
Bitterne on the other side of Southampton, but I haven't checked it out yet.

CAn't place a bike shop in Bitterne. The one by the station packed up
years ago, and I don't think there's anything in the precinct.

Cycleworld in Thornhill?

Al C-F said:

John B said:

Quoted message said:

I do see that an ad for Rotrax capes has appeared in the last 'Cycle'
over in Bitterne on the other side of Southampton, but I haven't checked
it out yet.

CAn't place a bike shop in Bitterne. The one by the station packed up
years ago, and I don't think there's anything in the precinct.

Cycleworld in Thornhill?

According to cycle it is Bath Road, Bitterne, SO19 5EU. I've never been down
that road, although I could next week as it's just off one of my commuting
routes.
--
Chris

Chris Slade said:

Al C-F said:

John B said:

I do see that an ad for Rotrax capes has appeared in the last 'Cycle'
over in Bitterne on the other side of Southampton, but I haven't checked
it out yet.

CAn't place a bike shop in Bitterne. The one by the station packed up
years ago, and I don't think there's anything in the precinct.

Cycleworld in Thornhill?

According to cycle it is Bath Road, Bitterne, SO19 5EU. I've never been down
that road, although I could next week as it's just off one of my commuting
routes.

I didn't know there were any shops down that road. Then again, I don't
often go into town that way because it means:
1. crossing the M27 J7
2. a climb into Thornhill followed by a drop and then a climb again into
Bitterne
3. The peculiar lane layout on that final climb pushing me across so
that I get overtaken on both sides.

Tony Raven said:

You could always pop in to Rock 'n Road instead down near the stadium
and gaze at the exotica from Waterford, Moots, Serotta and others
while you pick up a tyre

Nice shop, but not the same as Rotrax. They also don't have Pro Race 2 -- so
it's Parkers, I'm afraid.