Pashley has unveiled the new Roadfinder SL, based around a lightweight Reynolds steel frame designed specifically for the "fastest days on tarmac". 

Pashley have unveiled the new Roadfinder SL.
Pashley have unveiled the new Roadfinder SL.

"The Roadfinder SL blends race bike performance with all-day epic ride capability and exquisite handling and embodies the unmistakable ride quality of high-end, hand-crafted steel," say Pashley.

The Roadfinder SL joins the all-road Roadfinder and gravel-oriented Roadfinder X in Pashley's lineup, which is steadily expanding under the leadership of CEO Andy Smallwood (ex Ribble and Boardman).

Like its stablemates bearing the Roadfinder name, the SL is hand-made in Stratford from Reynolds 853 steel with custom cast and 3D printed dropouts and lugs. As the SL ("super light") name suggests, Pashley have gone to great lengths to cut weight from the frameset - 30g has been saved from the left dropout alone; the result is a frame that Pashley claim weighs just 1698g in a size 54 before paint.

The new Roadfinder SL from Pashley is a speed-oriented road frameset in Reynolds steel.
The new Roadfinder SL from Pashley is a speed-oriented road frameset in Reynolds steel.

Tyre clearance is 32mm reflecting the new model's road focus, while other details such as the T47 threaded bottom bracket, 12mm thru axles and UDH compatibility are shared with other models in the Roadfinder range.

"The vision was clear from the start: lightweight," say Pashley. "This involved re-designing and fine-tuning every element of the Roadfinder, to create a road focused masterpiece to excite and reward the performance focused road rider."

Designed for the fastest days on tarmac: the new Roadfinder SL from Pashley.
Designed for the fastest days on tarmac: the new Roadfinder SL from Pashley.

"We re-evaluated every component of the frame fabrication," explains Jon Cumberpatch, Lead Designer at Pashley.

"This involved redesigning and removing material from every 3D printed element without compromising its structural integrity. It involved a new custom 853 tubeset produced in collaboration with Reynolds - made specifically and exclusively for the Roadfinder SL.

"Positions of tube butts and wall thickness all came under additional scrutiny for weight reduction, the top tube for example now has reduced butt lengths and a central portion that is only 0.4mm thick."

Each frame is hand-made in the UK from custom Reynolds SL tubing.
Each frame is hand-made in the UK from custom Reynolds SL tubing.
The finished frame weighs just 1698g before paint.
The finished frame weighs just 1698g before paint.

The frame is paired with a carbon Columbus Futura Disc SLX fork, further helping to reduce weight in the final build.

The frameset is available in two stock colours, Hyper Violet and Gold or Thunderstorm Blue and Neon Yellow. The Roadfinder SL can be purchased as a frameset only option for £1,795, or in a choice of four full builds: Shimano 105 Di2, Ultegra Di2, Dura Ace Di2 and Campagnolo's new Super Record 13 wireless groupset.

The Campagnolo option is said to weigh 8.64kg - pretty impressive for a steel framed bike.

A Campagnolo Super Record 13 build tops the range. Custom builds are available - just contact Pashley to discuss.
A Campagnolo Super Record 13 build tops the range. Custom builds are available - just contact Pashley to discuss.

We'll let the pictures speak for themselves, but the Roadfinder SL looks like further evidence of Pashley's impressive melding of artisan hand-craftmanship with modern technologies.

"This new SL range is a shining example of how traditional British craftmanship, and ingenuity is at the forefront of bicycle design and a truly world-class product," says CEO Andy Smallwood.

"To ideate, design, manufacture and build here in the UK is testimony to the long-standing heritage of the Pashley brand. As we ride towards our 100th year we are excited about the future and the innovation to come.

"This launch is great for me too - I've already got one on order and can't wait to ride it."

Find out more and order at pashley.co.uk.

Pashley Roadfinder SL builds:

Frame

Reynolds 853 double butted tubing. Additive manufactured (3D printed) elements including unique signature seatstay junction, T47 Bottom Bracket. 44mm head tube with semi-integrated headset. Unique Pashley Thru-Axle dropouts, UDH compatible. Di2 specific frame ports. E-Coated and wet painted.

Fork
Columbus Futura SLX Disc fork

Shimano 105 Di2 build, full spec:

Groupset:    
Shimano 105 Di2 (11-36T cassette)
Chainset:
Shimano 105 FC-R7100 double 12-speed chainset, HollowTech II 50/34T, black
Handlebar:
Zipp Service Course 70 Ergo Drop. 40-44cm
Stem:
Zipp Service Course 6º. 90-120mm
Brakes:
Shimano 105 Flat mount Hydraulic Disc Brakes. 160mm rotors
Wheels:
DT Swiss A 1800 SPLINE disc brake wheel, clincher 30x20mm
Tyres:
Vittoria Rubino V 700x30c Clincher, Tan side
Saddle:
Brooks Cambium C15
Seatpost:
Zipp Service Course 27.2mm
Bar tape:
Brooks Cambium Rubber Natural Handlebar Tape, Black

Price: £3,950

Shimano Ultegra Di2 build, full spec:
Groupset: 
Shimano Ultegra Di2 (11-34T cassette)
Chainset:
Shimano Ultegra FC-R7100 105 double 12-speed, HollowTech II 50/34T, black
Handlebar:
Zipp Service Course SL 70 Ergonomic Top B2. 40-44cm
Stem:
Zipp Service Course SL 6º Universal Faceplate. 90-120mm
Brakes:
Shimano Ultegra Flat mount Hydraulic Disc Brakes. 160mm rotors
Wheels:
Parcours Strade 49/54mm deep (front/rear), 24mm wide carbon fibre tubeless ready rims. Parcours Road disc hubs, Alpina Ultralite spokes.
Tyres:
Vittoria Corsa Pro Control 700x30c Clincher. Tan side
Saddle:
Cambium C13 Carved, Carbon Rails
Seatpost:
Zipp SL Speed Carbon 27.2mm
Bar tape:
Brooks Cambium Rubber Natural Handlebar Tape. Black

Price: £4,995

Shimano Dura Ace Di2 build, full spec:
Groupset:    
Shimano Dura Ace Di2 (11-34T cassette)
Chainset:
Shimano Dura Ace FC-R9200 12-speed double chainset, 50/34T 170mm
Handlebar:
Zipp Service Course SL 70 Ergonomic Top B2. 40-44cm
Stem:
Zipp Service Course SL 6º Universal Faceplate B2. 60-120mm
Brakes:
Shimano Dura Ace Flat mount Hydraulic Disc Brakes. 160mm rotors
Wheels:
Parcours Strade 49/54mm, 24mm wide carbon fibre tubeless ready rims. Parcours Road disc hubs, Alpina Ultralite spokes.
Tyres:
Vittoria Corsa Pro Control 700x30c Clincher Tan side
Saddle:
Cambium C13 Carved, Carbon Rails
Seatpost:
Zipp SL Speed Carbon 400
Bar tape:
Brooks Cambium Rubber Natural Handlebar Tape. Black

Price: £8,495

Campagnolo Super Record, full spec:
Groupset:    
Campagnolo Super Record, 13speed (11-32T cassette)
Chainset:
Super Record UT TI Carbon 13speed crankset 34-50T 170mm
Handlebar:
Zipp Service Course SL 70 Drop Ergonomic Top B2. 40-44cm
Stem:
Zipp Stem Service Course SL 6° Universal Faceplate B2. 90-120mm
Brakes:
Campagnolo 03 AFS. 160mm rotor
Wheels:
Parcours Strade 49/54mm, 24mm wide carbon fibre tubeless ready rims. Parcours Road disc hubs, Alpina Ultralite spokes.
Tyres:
Vittoria Corsa Pro Control 700x30c Fold TLR Black Tan G2.0
Saddle:
Brooks Cambium C13 Carved, Carbon Rails
Seatpost:
Zipp SL Speed Carbon 400
Bar tape:
Brooks Cambium Rubber Natural Handlebar Tape. Black

Price: £8,995


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