The battle of style v. substance.

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atalanta

atalanta

Über Member
So I'm looking to start commuting through central London by bike rather than sweat it out on the bus. I used to ride my bike everywhere, but I grew up in a very quiet little town and London is a whole new experience for me. I'm working out a route I can take that involves quieter roads, so I don't need anything super top of the line in terms of speed and performance.

I've narrowed down some of the things I'm hoping to find in a bike: sit-up handlebars, a classic Oxbridge-type frame, between 3 and 8 speeds, nothing too heavy, quality brakes, and if possible an enclosed chain. The trouble is that a lot of bikes that I like visually are difficult to assess in terms of quality. The vintage-style frame I like so much is really in style now, and it seems like a lot of these bike places are selling a lifestyle brand rather than just a hardworking machine. I want a good-looking bike - who doesn't? - but it's way more important that it be a proper bike, not just another accessory to go swanning about on.

Here are some that I've found that I'm considering. You'll see they are a real range of prices and types. My budget is about £500 with a little wiggle room either way.

Reid Vintage Roadster:
https://www.cyclerepublic.com/bikes...ge-roadster-mens-traditional-hybrid-bike.html

Raleigh Pioneer:
https://www.cyclerepublic.com/bikes/hybrid-bikes/raleigh-pioneer-1-mens-hybrid-bike-2017.html

Tokyobike CS (I know this may make me a Shoreditch sucker, but I'm 5'5'' and the slightly smaller wheels sound good to me):
http://www.tokyobike.co.uk/tokyobike-tokyobike-cs26.html

Electra Loft 3i: (this one has an internal hub, which my brother says is the way to go)
http://actionbikes.co.uk/electra-loft-mens-3i-army-grey.html

Are any of these value-for-vintage? Any others to consider? Am I an absolute dilettant for thinking any of these are anywhere near practical?
 
Cycleops

Cycleops

Legendary Member
Location
Accra, Ghana
If you like that style why not? As long as your commute isn't too long. I really wouldn't buy on line. There's no substitute for throwing your leg over, so to speak.
In the first instance go to somewhere like Halfords who have a huge range and are the largest retailer of bikes in the UK, or find your local bike specialist. Service can be a bit variable at Halfords as in ' Fred is the real bike guy but he's not in today'. You can then try a lighter hybrid type to see if that feels better, which many on here would recommend.
 
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atalanta

atalanta

Über Member
Thanks Cycleops. I've been round to three different bike shops near my work so far: Cycle Republic, which is a chain; a smaller custom-make place which was way out of my price range; and the aforementioned Tokyobike. I just don't want to end up paying a lot of money for what is essentially a good-looking but poor machine, and I don't know how to assess the kinds of bikes I'm looking at well enough to tell the difference between a lemon and a good bike. Anyone with experience of any of the makes above, do weigh in.

I'm also getting conflicting info from the shops themselves. The bespoke place I visited told me, for example, that they wouldn't touch a new Raleigh with a barge pole, but then I was recommended one at the last place I went! There's too much info out there. GUIDE ME.
 
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atalanta

atalanta

Über Member
Thx Specialeyes - do you think Bobbin is up to scratch? I've heard different things. I know that quite a few come with a SA 3-speed hub, the holy grail of gears as it were, right? But also that they're heavy.

I would love to buy used, but I've gotten burned before doing that and am very wary now of picking up a bike without a good middleman - ie a mechanic who knows the ropes.
 
Cycleops

Cycleops

Legendary Member
Location
Accra, Ghana
Whenever someone mentions Bobbin I always think of that poor Bobbitt guy in the US.
 
Cycleops

Cycleops

Legendary Member
Location
Accra, Ghana
I can see how the information is conflicting and confusing you. I think all we can do is give you the general plus or minus points and leave you to make up your own mind. The Bobbin will be fine if you want a leisurely commuter, it won't feel fast.
Hub gears are bomb proof and need little maintainance. Derailleur gears are more efficient but sit out there in the muck and grit. Mending a puncture on a hub geared bike is going to be a bit of a pain.
Steel frames are going to be on the heavy side but that shouldn't worry you too much.
Bikes at this price point are going to be fitted with poor tyres with no puncture protection, so expect to replace them early on. The saddle might also be an issue, remember soft squishy ones won't be comfortable long term.
There is nothing wrong with Raleigh bikes.
Whatever new bike you buy you're not going to end up with a lemon. Buy from a shop you think will give good after sales service. The important thing is finding something that suits you and you're comfortable on, that's why I said go and sit on some or ride them if you can. You don't want to feel every time you go to work the journey is going to be chore.

Good luck.
 
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atalanta

atalanta

Über Member
Cycleops said:
I can see how the information is conflicting and confusing you. I think all we can do is give you the general plus or minus points and leave you to make up your own mind. The Bobbin will be fine if you want a leisurely commuter, it won't feel fast.
Hub gears are bomb proof and need little maintainance. Derailleur gears are more efficient but sit out there in the muck and grit. Mending a puncture on a hub geared bike is going to be a bit of a pain.
Steel frames are going to be on the heavy side but that shouldn't worry you too much.
Bikes at this price point are going to be fitted with poor tyres with no puncture protection, so expect to replace them early on. The saddle might also be an issue, remember soft squishy ones won't be comfortable long term.
There is nothing wrong with Raleigh bikes.
Whatever new bike you buy you're not going to end up with a lemon. Buy from a shop you think will give good after sales service. The important thing is finding something that suits you and you're comfortable on, that's why I said go and sit on some or ride them if you can. You don't want to feel every time you go to work the journey is going to be chore.

Good luck.
Click to expand...

This is great information and just what I need! Thank you. :okay:
 
D

Dan B

Disengaged member
My wife has a Bobbin Brownie, we're not impressed with it and wouldn't buy again. Cheap components (e.g. stamped chainring which has warped), economies in construction (chain guard is held on by the bottom bracket lock ring), generally impossible to stop it rattling
 
Mrs M

Mrs M

Guru
Location
Aberdeenshire
Pashley?
I have a tube rider, bit heavy but once we get going shifts along nicely. Hub gears and brakes, 5 speed.
If the colours are not to your liking the Pashley Para bike is very similar, comes in a lovely cobalt blue, also a khaki green.
 
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