Ladies Touring bike Q

[thistler]

I have been quite ill for the last few months, it turns out I have a muscle wasting disease. I have problems lifting my leg very high to get on the bike but once I am actually on, I'm okay.

I'd still like to do my first LEJOG while I can, but there is no way I can get on and off a 'men's' frame bike anymore. I have bought a Carry Freedom trailer, so my question is does it really matter what bike I use to pull it? Would an old women's Galaxy or some kind of mixte frame be a good choice, or something else? Mainly for use on roads, maybe some tow path kind of stuff, the lower to step through the better....

 

[rich p]

Sorry to hear that thistler. I know nowt about trailers I don't see why you can't use a Galaxy et al.

 

[Baggy]

If the Carry Freedom attaches by the dropout or skewer then it should be fine. Have been looking at mixte bikes on Ebay recently and there are a lot of good quality ones still out there (though Galaxies tend to sell for quite a lot of money).
Sorry to hear your reason for not being around

 

[Baggy]

My other immediate thought would be a recumbent trike...

 

[Falwheeler]

Sorry to hear of your illness Thistler, chap down here in Cornwall did the End to End towing a trailer with a Raleigh Chopper so I don't think a ladies bike would be a problem

 

[Brommyboy]

You might also consider a folding bike, as they nearly all have a low main tube.

 

[Danny]

I am sure that most bikes can pull a trailer, so I would concentrate on finding a bike frame that you can easily get on and off. Also, make sure you get a bike with low gears as pulling a loaded trailer will be hard work, even without your current health problems - though I am sure you have thought of this already.

If I were you I would find a good local bike shop that will let you try out different styles of bike, and help you find something that suits your needs.

 

[Muddyfox]

Hi Thistler .. very sorry to hear about your illness

Have a look at this Ladies Tourer from the CTC forum

Simon

 

[theloafer]

New​

Sorry to hear of your illness Thistler, chap down here in Cornwall did the End to End towing a trailer with a Raleigh Chopper​

​

this is the man to ask on the ctc forum re-towing a trailer​

http://forum.ctc.org.uk/memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=109​

 

[thistler]

Thanks so much for the replies, there is a lot to think about. I will go down to our lbs and see if I can try getting on and off different frames. At the moment the only one I can get on and off comfortably at the moment is an old Raliegh shopper. It handles like a tank and is hard to ride on the flat, but it has made me think about how much I would like a really well made lightweight folding bike.

The ladies galaxy in that ad is beautiful!! If I had the £££ I would snap it up, it's the right size for me and in such nice condition. I need to hunt out some mixte frames and see if I can manage to get on and off unaided, then save my pennies and hope I have enough when the next one comes along.

 

[Over The Hill]

Hi
I am looking for a tourer myself (ebay mainly plus bottom end of the new market) .
Does not seem to be much around in ladies bikes - Dawes Galaxy is now just a unisex bike but dawes do a Karakum Ladies bike that is a touring setup with a low crossbar. Problem is it is £800

Other than that there are rather old Galaxies around out there in a ladies frame that perhaps you could get just for the wheels and frame and then stick a decent three cogs on it with a modern handlebar setup. If you strip out an old bike for parts you would have a nice setup on a touring frame. Age of a steel frame should no be an issue.
Also the tourer will be a nice low centre of gravity to stick a trailer on.
Hope you get something sorted out.

 

[steveindenmark]

Before you even think about a recumbent bike you must go and try them out. Borrow one from somewhere for a week if you can.

I have had a Bacchetta Giro 26 and also an ICE trike. Both wonderfully designed machines but for one reason or another I could not get on with them and sold them both.

Recumbents are not for everyone.

Steve

 

[RecordAceFromNew]

Sorry to hear about your illness Thistler. I admire your determination to do LEJOG - it is certainly a ride I am glad I did.

You might like to consider something like a Trek T30 WSD (pic below). They do pop up secondhand from time to time - a practically new one might even go for less than that Galaxy here. It is a solid, well-built, comfortable bike with low step-over. It is not very light, but neither is a Galaxy kitted out for touring.

If you let us know roughly where you live, perhaps people can let you know of buying/trying opportunities when they pop up once you are fairly sure what you want?

 

[thistler]

Thanks everyone! I have my doubts about being able to get in and out of a recumbent bike easily, but won't rule one out until I have a chance to try one.
I had the same model Trek pictured above a year or so ago, and sold it. It was a very good bike, although the position wasn't great for longer distances. I was mainly riding my road bike at the time so it may just be a case of adjusting to a new position. I sure wish I had it back now, I am finding the shopper bike I have very heavy and hard to ride with the 3 Strumey Archer gears.
I have just purchased an older steel framed Raleigh Pioneer, so will see how that goes for around town. Not sure it will be the best thing for a tour, and I still like the idea of a woman's Galaxy.
It will be a year or so before I can think about going, as I am in the middle of testing and treatment. Of course in a year or so I may not be physically able to go on the tour, we'll have to wait and see how it goes.
Thanks again for all the advice!
edit - I wish I had the £££ for this bike, though I would also need extra to add gears suitable for touring. It looks pretty cool though!!!
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Roberts-h...0679640170?pt=UK_Bikes_GL&hash=item2c6564686a

 

[Baggy]

I wish I had the £££ for this bike, though I would also need extra to add gears suitable for touring. It looks pretty cool though!!!
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Roberts-handbuilt-ladies-road-bike-Built-project-Charlie-Roberts-/190679640170?pt=UK_Bikes_GL&hash=item2c6564686a

It's beautiful, isn't it? It had attracted bids within about 10 minutes of being listed, will be interesting to see how much it makes!