sloe
New Member
- Location
- Banffshire
Woops.
would you take a pashley princess off road?
- Thread starter dutchunter
- Start date
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OK, I'll keep it simple.
OP, - The Pashley AND the Batavus would be bloody hard work on rough tracks. The gearing will be too high.
All others - A common fault ( but deliberate ) of OEM bike builders. 15 & 16 tooth Sturmey sprockets are cheaper than 22 tooth sprockets, AND, when you fit a 15 or 16 sprocket, you need less chain. As OEMs buy chain on the reel, less chain means less cost. Makes for less production expense thus more profit.
OP - There is the Raleigh Pioneer Elite. Shimano Nexus 7 speed hub. £430.
But there is the Pashley Sonnet, which has a recent cult status amongst the ladies in town. 3 Speed Sturmey and HUB BRAKES, which means no black brake block mess in the wet.
OP, - The Pashley AND the Batavus would be bloody hard work on rough tracks. The gearing will be too high.
All others - A common fault ( but deliberate ) of OEM bike builders. 15 & 16 tooth Sturmey sprockets are cheaper than 22 tooth sprockets, AND, when you fit a 15 or 16 sprocket, you need less chain. As OEMs buy chain on the reel, less chain means less cost. Makes for less production expense thus more profit.
OP - There is the Raleigh Pioneer Elite. Shimano Nexus 7 speed hub. £430.
But there is the Pashley Sonnet, which has a recent cult status amongst the ladies in town. 3 Speed Sturmey and HUB BRAKES, which means no black brake block mess in the wet.
byegad
Legendary Member
- Location
- NE England
Ridden as it's meant to be, regally? The Princess will take some light off roading in its stride. I agree about dropping the gearing on almost ANY Three speed equipped bike but I live in County Durham where a 30" bottom geat is an absolute maximum bottom gear if you want to ride most of the hills.
SA are about to launch a new 3 speed with the direct drive as top gear and two lower gears. The late Sheldon Brown, among others pressed for this an they have responded.
SA are about to launch a new 3 speed with the direct drive as top gear and two lower gears. The late Sheldon Brown, among others pressed for this an they have responded.
Chrisc
Guru
- Location
- Huddersfield
Yes. My wife rides her Princess Sovereign on rough tracks no problem. Just take it easy.
I wouldn't worry too much about gears. See if you can borrow a similar bike from the LBS and have a ride around it. If, and only if, you are finding it hard to push down the pedals ask the LBS to change them. My wife used to get up quite steep hills on her single speed Hercules so any gears are a great leap forward. Indeed she doesn't like too many even now (in her mid fifties).
Some people have a natural slow cadence, others a much faster one. So what is good for one person may feel uncomfortable for another. So just try and enjoy.
Some people have a natural slow cadence, others a much faster one. So what is good for one person may feel uncomfortable for another. So just try and enjoy.
Campfire
Über Member
- Location
- near Risley Moss, Warrington
I think all the new Pashleys have hub brakes now. There is also a Pashley Provence, which is I think classed as a hybrid, that is pretty. Velorbis now do a Studine which is a cheaper version of the Scrap, (that's its name), which is also pretty cool. I'm sure you'd manage & I'm thinking of getting a ladylike bike for gentle pootling & I've got MTB, folders & a recumbent.
If you find you want to do more, get another & keep the first one for gentle rides in the park etc!
Most of all, ENJOY it when you ride, whatever bike you ride!
If you find you want to do more, get another & keep the first one for gentle rides in the park etc!
Most of all, ENJOY it when you ride, whatever bike you ride!
Chrisc
Guru
- Location
- Huddersfield
They do have hub brakes, very nice ones as well. Better than my rollerbrakes...
upsidedown
Waiting for the great leap forward
- Location
- The middle bit
That posh ginger haired woman from Gardener's World used to get on the same train as me every morning with a Princess. Usually had all sorts of stuff strapped to it and a dog in the basket. Looked a pretty sturdy old thing (the bike). It'll be fine.
funkyontwowheels
New Member
There’s also the Studine Balloon by Velorbis? http://velorbis.co.uk/classic-vinta...ycle/velorbis-studine-classic-balloon-bicycle I think it’s only recently come out. It could be good for you as a starter. It’s a simplified version of the Scrap Deluxe bike which I have. The chunky tyres are extra sturdy and look cool. Good luck with your cycling adventures. 
Wheeledweenie
Über Member
- Location
- Hanwell, west London
I don't know if it helps but a friend has a Pashley Poppy that she uses successfully on canal towpaths as well as road. She loves it.