Mammy Bike!

BLAH777

Hi

I am looking to buy a bike just for relaxed cycle rides with my 18mth old. I am looking at the raleigh elegance and the electra - i love the comfy saddle on the electra!!


As I say its for gentle cycles but i have a bad back so i want am Amsterdam style with high handle bars, I live in the country but roads are ok.

Any feedback on these or recommendations for others would be great!

Holyboy

Have a look at Pashley's they aren't cheap about 650 at entry level but you won't ever need to buy a bike again it will last a lifetime! All are fitted with Brooks saddles too so nice and comfy.

Jawgap

Pashleys are a lovely bike - the wife has one, which I refer to as her Nerys Hughes bike (District Nurse anyone?)



The thing is a tank and quite elegant - but the penalty for that is its weight. It's great for a few miles over reasonably flat terrain, but I wouldn't like to take it very far (ahem, not that I've cycled it that much.......)

She recently bought a Giant Defy for longer spins - faster, but definitely not as stylish

clonmahon

BLAH777 wrote: »

Hi

I am looking to buy a bike just for relaxed cycle rides with my 18mth old. I am looking at the raleigh elegance and the electra - i love the comfy saddle on the electra!!

The elegance is a three speed fine if the routes you intend to cycle are flat or gently rolling but not good in hilly country unless you don't mind getting off and walking up the hills.

As Holyboy says if you want a bike that will last a lifetime and are not to worried about weight or short term costs look at Pashley.

I cycle a Raleigh Oakland available online for less that 300 quid. Rugged, stable and comfortable, have done over 3000 km on mine, have not serviced it and its still running fine.

Lumen

clonmahon wrote: »

As Holyboy says if you want a bike that will last a lifetime and are not to worried about weight or short term costs look at Pashley

Yeah, apart from being overpriced and stupidly heavy they are great bikes. :pac:

clonmahon

Lumen wrote: »

Yeah, apart from being overpriced and stupidly heavy they are great bikes. :pac:

They are very like the high nelly bikes that were common when i was a child in the 1960s, heavy, slow and practically indestructible. Expensive in the short term but they may work out cheaper in the long run as most modern bikes are not designed to be long lived. Pashleys are built to last.

They are not designed for racing but for relaxed leisure and commuter cycling, in this kind of cycling weight is not a major factor. A few kilos extra will only add a few minutes to an hours cycling.

Horses for courses, BLAH777 writes "i want am Amsterdam style with high handle bars", if they have the money and are serious about cycling the Pashley will fit this bill exactly.

coolbeans

Pashleys are Chelsea mummies' bikes and that's reflected in the (over)pricing. Gazelles are cheaper and better built with a 3 speed tranny and a proper hub dynamo light all for 549E in Sandymount. Also, Gazelle are Dutch if that makes any difference to you. http://www.gazellebicycles.com.au/gazelle-2011-collection/basic.html

clonmahon

coolbeans wrote: »

Pashleys are Chelsea mummies' bikes and that's reflected in the (over)pricing. Gazelles are cheaper and better built with a 3 speed tranny and a proper hub dynamo light all for 549E in Sandymount. Also, Gazelle are Dutch if that makes any difference to you. http://www.gazellebicycles.com.au/gazelle-2011-collection/basic.html

The Gazelles look very good coolbeans, where in Sandymount are they being sold. At 549 euro for a 3 speed that's about 200 quid cheaper than a Pashley of the same specs. Looks like really good value.

coolbeans

It is good value and they make the Pashley look shamelessly pricey. Try 2wheels in Sandymount. I just bought one for the mother there.

BLAH777

Thank you all for the replies. The Pashley does look good, expensive though! I will check out local bike shops to see where I can try one. Will try the Oakland too as it looks similar to the elegance.

Has anyone feedback on the Raleigh Elegance or the Electra?

cafecreme

I have an electra cruiser and a bad back too, I love it, it does go up and down hills fine and I'm far from athletic and also manages mildly rough paths and tracks fine. Uneven ground is grand but I wouldnt go anywhere where there are deep ruts or anything. Steering takes a while to get used to, you wont be making 360 turns in a hurry or a tight spot. Very comfortable bike and great for a leisurely cycle. Lots of admiring glances, from style-conscious Italians to very envious little girls

Seaswimmer

clonmahon wrote: »

The Gazelles look very good coolbeans, where in Sandymount are they being sold. At 549 euro for a 3 speed that's about 200 quid cheaper than a Pashley of the same specs. Looks like really good value.

I got a Gazelle orange xtra there recently. Its 8 speed but if i were you i would try and get at least a 5 speed for Dublin. i think they do one called a Paris plus for €649.. Try and get a friend who is not using the cycle to work scheme to get you one!!!

ciotog

I have an Electra Townie (which is part of an Xtracycle build) and it's a joy to cycle. My opinion would be get one unless you ride another bike that suits you better - emphasis on actually riding one for yourself versus the experience of others. If you get an Electra, I'd suggest getting one with internal hub gears rather than one of their derailleur models. Electra denote these with a (D)erailleur or (I)nternal suffix on models e.g. the Royal 8i (http://www.electrabike.com/Bikes/amsterdam-royal8i-bikes-ladies). You mentioned you would be cycling with an 18 month old, do you have anything in mind for how to seat him/her yet? It may also be a factor (in terms of any additional fittings) when choosing a bike. I see a few people have suggested Pashley bicycles, have never ridden one but they are things of beauty and elegance

seven stars

Are those Electra Townies one-size-fits-all? We were planning on getting our 11-year-old girl a mountain bike, but she's since let us know that she's not keen on them (she'd prefer something more laid back or 'girly', I presume). She's around 5' I think, so she's beyond kids bikes.

I was looking at this one, which is on a deal with CRC. Is that your one ciotog? Would it be suitable for canal paths, that sort of thing?

ciotog

seven stars wrote: »

Are those Electra Townies one-size-fits-all? We were planning on getting our 11-year-old girl a mountain bike, but she's since let us know that she's not keen on them (she'd prefer something more laid back or 'girly', I presume). She's around 5' I think, so she's beyond kids bikes.

I was looking at this one, which is on a deal with CRC. Is that your one ciotog? Would it be suitable for canal paths, that sort of thing?

They're one-size-fits-most which I understand to cover 5' to 5' 10". The CRC one is similar - I got the Original 7D. As mentioned earlier in the thread the 3 speed is fine on anything other than hilly terrain, so if it's the canal paths and such I'd say it would probably be just right.

Gavb

I've seen a few of these around town:
http://www.bear-bicycles.com/
Very stylish - if you are into that sort of thing.
No idea on the prices though, although the website says they do a 'Try before you buy'.