New Bike

[BobC]

Right then, no piss taking with pictures of bikes with tractor wheels! Am looking for a new bike to help me get off my fat arse. Mainly for the work commute and a bit of gentalmanly cycling.

Not particularly interested in mountain bikes or race type bikes due to a combination of looking a cock on them and having the ability to be out cycled by a snail. I also don't really want to have to feel like I have to dress up in "cycling" gear just to go for a ride and certainly don't want horrid chain oil anywhere near me best Farrahs.

With this in mind are there any recomendations on a suitable gentlemans bicycle. I was thinking of about 3 to 400 quid tops, less for a used one.....maybe,


http://www.dutchie.co.uk/bike-dutch-chic-3-speed.html

[take5]

Oh Bob, this is such a tempting thread.

But, you have asked nicely, so I will restrain myself.

Ps how are your navigational skills , without Sat Nav.
Watch out for sand on those Cumbrian cycle tracks. You never know when you will come across one of those sneaky little sand banks. They just pop up in places that you least expect.


Ok, joking aside. You can borrow my old one to see how you get on. Not the best, but it will get you started. It has a puncture at the moment, but easy fixed.

[BobC]

Cheers Brian, just checking that it's not one of these

[take5]

Bob, no its the later version of that.

I think it has 12 gears, but if interested, I will get it out of the garage and see how it is.

[pmac]

These are popular around our way and you should have a bit of money left over for a puncture repair outfit



.... well, what did you expect?

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seriously though, if you want a gentleman's bike, buy a Pashley Sovereign Roadster (google it) You might find a 2nd hand one in your price range

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http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Pashley-Ro...item2ebf174b13

[Jezzer]

Unless I'm mistaken that 'Dutchie' looks like a ladies bike.

My wife has a very similar bike: A Pashley Princess Sovereign. It's a lovely classic bike but it is quite heavy.

As previously posted, Pashley do make some handsome classic bikes.

[BobC]

cheers Brian, will take you up on that. Will keep an eye out for a Pashley, look v nice.

as for the Dutchie bikes...very unisex in Holland...they are all like that.

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Forgot to add, with an inside leg of 30", is there anything i need to know about frame sizing to get the right one. Saw one advertised at frame 20 size and clueless about it.

[gjm]

Mrs M also has a Pashley and loves it. Sure, it's heavy, but riding it sees pounds falling from the rider.

I too would recommend a gents Pashley. You don't want a 'Guv'nor', but a Roadster Classic with a 3-speed hub gear would suit. (If you want a 5-speed gear, then you need the Sovereign; ultimately the same gear range, but with more intermediate ratios.)

Pashley have been around for a long time and are unlikely to be going anywhere any time soon, and offer great support from the factory.

Frame sizes: from the Pashley website - 20.5" frame suits 30"-34.5" inside leg; 22.5" frame suits 33.5"-38" inside leg; 24.5" frame suits 35"-39.5" inside leg. This will apply particularly to Pashley cycles - other manufacturers may vary.

There's a closely-related model for sale just up the road from me (which I appreciate isn't much help) but it gives you an idea of what to expect. See here.

[BobC]

Cheers Graham

And you can guess in which town there is one for sale lol......

[rockmeister]

look for a hybrid with mudguards, then buy the lightest one you can afford.
Hybrids go anywhere and are sit up, easy riding bikes
mudguards always mean it's a utility bike, not an out and out racer or specialist off roader and
they can be weighty so look for a light one.
The big makers, like Giant, Raleigh etc offer the best value in such stuff, and these days they are good,
maybe like this?

[BobC]

I meant end up here give the didtance away those Pashleys are, 3 speed if i can get it though.

[Leonard Smalls]

If you get a Pashley it'll be perfect for the World MTB bog snorkelling champeenships on 26-7th August at Llanwrtyd Wells. Except you won't have to fill the frame with lead.

[yesnogame]

Pretty solid bike that BUT, it's going to be very,very heavy. And if you are convinced that's the route for you you should consider a Pashley.

From your list of 'wants' I'd suggest a Cannondale Badboy. Stupid name, yes. But one of the best every day commuter/urban bikes out there.

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&s...KJSN0wWb3oyEDQ

You should be able to pick up a used one on Ebay for around 300 quid. Nice and neural style wise and very, very ridable.

...Oh and you can put a basket on it if you want.