Full On Urban Ladies Bike

[CharlesF]

Hi

My daughter lives in York and uses a bike purely for commuting, shopping, visiting friends, etc. She will never attempt a Strava segment or cycle the Grand Depart route. Her existing bike is a BSO I bought her when she was a uni; now she is earning a decent wage and needs a bike - mainly because she didn't look after the one she has.

We have had lots of discussions and narrowed the selection down to three bikes with the criteria being, low or no maintenance, capable of carrying her shopping, good quality.

The first bike is a safe "UK=ish" bike, the Specialized Globe Work 3
http://www.specialized.com/gb/gb/bikes/globe/work/work3stepthrough#features
To me, the disadvantage is the exposed chain and lack of pannier rack

Secondly, is the Decathlon Ville Elops 740
http://www.btwin.com/fr/velo-ville/velos-ville/17418-btwin-velo-ville-elops-740.html
This seems ideal due to the specs and their general reputation, but I can't find any reviews

Lastly there is an unknown Dutch bike, but very similar to the Decathlon - BSP Voyager
http://www.bsp-fietsen.nl/modellen/the-leading-models/voyager/
A lot more expensive but looks lighter than the Decathlon. Also like the Decathlon, it appears to need a better saddle and more robust pedals.

All of these are available in York, what I need from Cycle Chat is any hands on experience with any of these bikes, to give us a bit more insight into the.

Of course, you can complicate things by suggesting something else!

Thanks

 

[Cycleops]

The Voyager is very heavy at 18kg.the other two don't give weights but should be a lot lighter, they both have Nexus gear system which is generally has good reviews and is virtually maintainence free. You might get someone on here who experience of these bikes but I would doubt it as they are not "enthusiasts" mounts. You should be able to fit a rack if it doesn't have one. Go and try them out.

The Globe would be the fave for me.

 

[beatlejuice]

You could fit a totally enclosed chain case to Specialized Globe Work 3 since it has hub gears such as Hebie Chainglider. I bought one of from these guys and its all good so far. That would sort textile/chain interface issues out.

 

[Cycleops]

I've just noticed that the spec for the Globe that say it has a Shimano Altus derailleur gear rather than the hub gear shown on the pic, but states the shifter is Nexus!. You need to clarify this, the only disadvantage is the Altus is not maintainence free.

 

[CharlesF]

You could fit a totally enclosed chain case to Specialized Globe Work 3 since it has hub gears such as Hebie Chainglider. I bought one of from these guys and its all good so far. That would sort textile/chain interface issues out.

Thanks Beetlejuice, thats very useful as I never thought to look for that sort of thing. It makes the Globe much more attractive.

 

[CharlesF]

I've just noticed that the spec for the Globe that say it has a Shimano Altus derailleur gear rather than the hub gear shown on the pic, but states the shifter is Nexus!. You need to clarify this, the only disadvantage is the Altus is not maintainence free.

I saw that, and the Features, in part, state "Internal 7-speed Nexus hub and V-Brake means great performance and low-maintenance in any weather" I assumed the Specs were carried over from the derailleur model.

By the way, Giant do a very attractive range call Futuro in the Netherlands, we are seeing if it is available anywhere in the UK

 

[Sara_H]

I have a Dawes Mojave for a shopping/pottering/commuting and general use bike. Found it to be perfect TBH.

I've added a Wald metal basket, permenantly attached and has struts so it can carry a fair bit of weight.

 

[CharlesF]

Thanks Sara_H, I'll pass on your recommendation, although the Mojave available now has a derailleur which my daughter doesn't want and I wouldn't recommend for her, purely because of the maintenance requirements

 

[Sara_H]

Oh yes, sorry. The derailleur does add a bit more maintenance effort, though tbh I've never maintained any of mine until recently!

Recommend the basket, very practical for shopping.

 

[CharlesF]

Oh yes, sorry. The derailleur does add a bit more maintenance effort, though tbh I've never maintained any of mine until recently!

Recommend the basket, very practical for shopping.

I have passed on your recommendation to my daughter, especially about the basket as that will supplement her pannier. She definitely wont do any maintenance (apart from adding oil to the chain); as I have banging on about getting her LBS to service the new bike regularly, maybe a derailleur isn't such a show stopper.