town bike for 5ft4 female - bike equivalent of a micra!

HardyEustace · 11-04-2008 09:52AM #1

Hi guys,
I was previously on this forum looking for advice on an entry level racing bike. Thanks for all your advice then. The bike has been taken out a few times now, I've got the hang of the cycling shoes and am doing a cycle about twice a week now and loving it.

With the long evenings coming in and the hope (as ever) of good weather, I'd love to start cycling to work. I did for the last few years but I've donated my old bike to my Dad, it was a bit too big anyway.

I'd like to get a town bike for tootling around the city in and commuting in and out to work. Ideally I'd like a nice light bike but I do realise that the lighter it is, the more expensive it becomes. Due to spending a fortune this year on bikes, wet suits and races my budget is around €400 which I know isn't massive.

I have read through all the previous posts but can't find many on suitable town bikes for women.

Any advice would be gratefully received. Thanks.

kenmc · 11-04-2008 10:16AM

What do you mean by 'town bike'? Any bike is capable of bringing you into town, but are you looking for specifics like panniers, step-over crossbar, dynamo lights etc?
something like this maybe?
http://www.cyclesuperstore.ie/shop/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=39&idproduct=20929

or do you just mean a cheaper bike than your racing bike? something like this:
http://www.cyclesuperstore.ie/shop/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=38&idproduct=12394

HardyEustace · 11-04-2008 10:22AM

Hi Ken,
sorry meant to say a "city bike" rather than a "town bike". Just becoming familiar with the terms at the moment. Panniers I'm not too worried about as I'd normally just have a rucksack to carry everything. A step over cross bar would also be good as it makes life a lot easier.

On a commute of less than four miles I assume that there's not much point getting cleats. There's about ten million traffic lights between my house and work so I don't think it'd make a massive difference anyway in terms of speed.

messed_up · 11-04-2008 01:23PM

My gf got one of these - or a very similar Giant bike- recently and really likes it. Her commute is fairly shot so something like this might be ideal

http://www.wheelworxbikes.com/product_info.php?manufacturers_id=6&products_id=669

blorg · 12-04-2008 12:34AM

If you have somewhere secure and don't plan on panniers I would suggest saving money and using your road bike.

Alternatively if you don't have somewhere safe or if the idea is to keep your road bike pristine (not a bad idea) I would suggest looking at second hand hybrids; I have a Dawes Discovery 201 which I use for going into town etc. and is great, very reliable. Cost a lot less than €400 second hand. I actually have dual SPD/platforms on this but only because I had them spare over from another bike and my main bike was in for repair for a while.

If you are getting a secondary bike like this, get a rack, it is very handy and a lot better than carrying stuff on your back.

town bike for 5ft4 female - bike equivalent of a micra!

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