Skipton2014
Regular
I am now looking to buy a step through bike for my wife. I have a budget of £400-500. What would you recommend for cycling around Skipton in North Yorkshire for fitness & leisure ?
That's what we got after a fair bit of looking around and research. Evans (London Bridge) were really sniffy and wouldn't allow her to test ride one as they didn't have one of that size made up. They said they'd need a deposit to assemble one. I was filled with a desire to insert the wrong sized one up the assistant's rear end but instead we left without a word and I'm never going to Evans again. The Specialized store on the other hand were super-helpful.This is the bike I am thinking of buying her - http://www.specializedconceptstore.co.uk/vita-step-through/28638/14vita !
Edinburgh bikes also have the Streetfinder -- not quite as girly as the Heritage. I've the 2008 version and I love it.I'd be wary of what is essentially a town bike, for the distance and terrain you intend it for. At this point in a what step through thread, I'm usually recommending an Edinburgh Bikes Revolution Heritage or Decathlon Elops, but I don't think they'd fit 30 hilly miles. The Revo' is relatively light for this type of bike, has a rear rack as well as the removable basket and has a granny ring that'd get you up Sutton bank & I use it as a 10 mile North Manchester pennine edge commuter sometimes, but regular 20-30 hilly rural miles I think I'd want something more than any step through could offer.
Is it a confidence or experience thing holding her back from say a female geometry roadie or fast hybrid or is it a physical thing?
If it has to be a low frame then I'd possibly look at folders in the Dahon/Tern/Decathlon range - generally going to be lighter, probably not much difference gear wise, robust, you see more of this sort of bike on longer charity rides than step throughs, they're fun and handle well & more convenient for storage and getting out and about with.
You never know! Getting back into cycling for transport and leisure rides (after a long lay off with small children) led me to buy a road bike a couple of years ago and get into road cycling as a hobby. I now regularly do distances and terrains I would never have thought possible five years ago.Thats really helpful thanks everyone ! I think the Vita sounds the best option. My wife wants a step through for confidence as I know she will be nervous and needing to step down on a fairly regular basis to begin with. I doubt whether i will get her to do 30 hilly miles maybe 10 ! The main thing is that she gets a bike that she enjoys riding. She will never cycle Buttertubs Pass but a ride out 10-15 miles from Skipton incorporating some hills is what we are looking for !