ladies hybrid advice

[BasketMum]

Hello,

I have been using the same bike for the last 20 years. It has finally died. I am excited I can move beyond back pedal brakes and 3 gears.
I cycle mostly on roads (5-10 mile loops) and occasionally on the towpath (but nothing major). I usually have 2 yr old in the babyseat, sometimes have a 4 year old on the tag-along. (much laborious changing of attachments).
I have a budget of £300. I want a ladies bike as can't be doing with skirts and crossbars... Likewise need mudgards and basket, not going for the cool vote. Am 5'9'' have tried a 19 and 20" frame in LBS both seem ok.

Looking at these ones and would really appreciate any advice as have not bought a bike since the 80s.

http://www.discountbicycles.co.uk/biz/product.php?xProd=3981&xSec=4422


http://www.discountbicycles.co.uk/biz/product.php?xProd=5331

http://www.nationalcycles.co.uk/landrover-akasha-ladies.html


Sorry for the ramble.

 

[Arch]

Hi, and welcome...

I don't know much about those particular bikes, my only thought is that you might be paying for the Land Rover name in that one. The rack on the Saracen is at a funny angle too - will that affect your child seat?

Have you looked at Giant bikes? (Giant the brand, not huge...)

Anyway, have fun!

 

[Ivan Ardon]

This -

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/Cycle/7/Focus_Red_Falls_Ladies_2008/5360032392/

- is far better than any of the above, comes fully equipped and is inside your budget, although only available in 55cm at this price. At 5'9". You should be fine though if you've had a leg over a 20 inch frame comfortably.

I wish we'd spotted it when we bought Mrs A's new bike, this is much nicer.

Wiggle are one of the best on-line bike shops, and Focus a good brand but you may not have heard of them if you've not bought a bike since 1980.


****Hold on - check their sizing guide**** It seems to suggest you need to be 6 foot!

 

[Arch]

Does that one or something like it come without the suspension forks, which are overkill really? (if it does, it's probably even better value)

 

[Randochap]

Yep. Don't bother with suspension -- they don't add anything but weight.

 

[NickyHiggy]

Hi

I'm a newbie but thought for what it's worth I can recommend the Giant range - i've got a Giant expression dx (within your price bracket) and although it's a bit old lady bike it's brill - and I bought it specifically cos I have my 2 year old on the back in a bike seat and wanted the low step through so I didn't decapitate him every time I tried to swing my leg over the saddle to get on it (also at 45 swinging my leg over the saddle to get on is getting less of an option these days). Maybe once he's out of the bike seat, I might progress to something a bit racier (not difficult I know) but at the mo - suits my purpose.

 

[jimboalee]

OP.
Can you post a photo of your 'dead' bike.
I am intrigued by the 'back pedal brake ( coaster ) and 3 speed comment.

Bikes don't die unless they are driven over and the frame bends, so if I could see it, I might have a use for it.

 

[jimboalee]

If its a Sturmey, it will prob' be geared too high.
Towing a trailer and having a child seat will make the gearing feel even higher.

Re-gearing a Sturmey to suit the bike's ( and everything else ) weight makes the bike feel like a different bike entirely.

A change of Saddle does the same trick.


How 'dead' is it ?

 

[tyred]

Sturmey Archer did make a 3 speed hub withpedal back brake. It is called an AWC iirc. An elderly neighbour had one in an old BSA many years ago. I would love to know where it went as I would like to have the bike.

 

[byegad]

A word for the Discovery 201 from Dawes. My wife has one and it rides really well. As I found out when I rode it home from the LBS for her (12 miles).

 

[BasketMum]

Thanks all for the good advice. Went to LBS and was thinking of this one:

http://www.awcycles.co.uk/category/...ikes_71/Comet_(Womens),_2008/12246/index.aspx

(The giant expression was a comfy ride but a bit heavy). Decided to check out Dawes after reading the posts. Interested in Dawes Sonoran (having looked up 201 initially - but appear to be loads of offers on Sonoran). However, on some websites they appear as 18" frame (and £50 more expensive) and on a couple of sites as 19" frame. What's that all about? Being 5'9" think 18" might be on the small side.

http://www.bikes2udirect.com/B1146.html

anyhow - any insight welcome.

BTW - my bike is not really dead. Its just to hard at lights to faff around with getting the right position to start with the back pedal breaks and heavy toddler on back. Need more gears as Chilterns too challenging without double figures! I'll post a picture so you can laugh. You're very welcome to take it away forever.

Thanks again for the all help.

 

[Arch]

BTW - my bike is not really dead. Its just to hard at lights to faff around with getting the right position to start with the back pedal breaks and heavy toddler on back. Need more gears as Chilterns too challenging without double figures! I'll post a picture so you can laugh. You're very welcome to take it away forever.

Thanks again for the all help.

That is the one problem with a back pedal brake. It would be good if there was a 'release button' you could press on the handlebars to let you bring the pedal up to position, and then let go so the brake functioned again...

 

[Cathryn]

I have a Dawes Discovery (well I did until someone nicked it, scumbag) and loved it loads. It did everything from canalside riding to cycling through alpine foothills in Germany. Great bikes. Get one