Recommendation for a rural traditional women's bike?

darrenheaphy

My partner wants to come cycling so would like to get her a bike. She quite likes the Pashley look but all those bikes are suited to cities (heavy, 3 to 5 speed things). Do you know of a brand that has the classical appearance of a Pashley-esque bike but suitable for cycling hilly country roads?

Lumen

I don't think such a thing is possible. Most aspects of a Pashley-type bike are designed as they are for a reason, possibly with the exception of the steel frame which could be substituted for a aluminium alloy one.

There are light(er) bikes with step-through frames. Trek have a "Livestrong WSD" one that is probably heavily discounted at the moment. :pac:

She'll likely forget about the looks at the first sniff of a hill. My wife replaced her Pashley Princess with a Trek racing bike I built for her. It doesn't have mudguards but she doesn't ride in the rain so it makes no odds.

Any decent light hybrid should do the job.

12 sprocket

google Pretty Penny bikes, genuine dutch bikes at a very good price. A relative has one and thinks its great for flat or undulating routes. Maybe not for the mountains

BostonB

Those heavy auld bike used to be the primary form of transport all over Ireland. Without any gears much of the time too.

If you are going to be cycling hilly country roads I think I'd go with a nice looking hybrid or MTB and forget lugging around an antique for the sake of fashion. The only compromise as already mentioned is some form of modernised Pashley

http://chargebikes.com/products/decanter/

Lumen

Ridgeback Avenida?

http://www.ridgeback.co.uk/bike/avenida-6#details

12.8kg isn't too bad.

Lumen

Charge Hob 3 @ 11.5kg.

"Interesting" looks!

http://road.cc/content/news/71981-just-charge-hob-3

darrenheaphy

You're all great, thanks for the load of replies! Sounds like it's impossible to get that style and be a light frame, 6 speed rural bike! The Avienda 6 that Lumen recommends isn't bad. Was thinking it's either that or the Pendleton Brooke

piston

I would consider buying a 1970s steel road frame, build it up with alloy north road bars, wide 700c rims, a Sturmey hub gear, a brooks sprung saddle and fit a hockey stick chainguard.

You will have something that looks like a traditional roadster but will be much lighter and much higher quality than any of the modern "fashion" city bikes.

Don't dismiss a traditional roadster out of hand either. They ride better than many realise. Remember these were the transport of the British working class for most of the 20th century, people even went on touring holidays on them.

A cable braked "sports" roadster is a decent ride, especially with alloy rims fitted. The secret in vintage roadsters is to alter the gearing. Most left the factory with gear ratios better suited to time trialling. Stick a big 22 tooth sprocket on your Sturmey hub and have gears suitable for a hilly area. I would avoid anything with rod brakes if you intend regular use, they're just not up to modern traffic when it rains.

ciotog

Would one of these appeal: http://www.bobbinbikes.co.uk/wordpress/

darrenheaphy

ciotog wrote: »

Would one of these appeal: http://www.bobbinbikes.co.uk/wordpress/

Yeah, maybe! Not sure how heavy they are but they look great and a quick glance seems to show they have plenty of gears as opposed to the usual 3 speed thing. I'll show her tonight!