Pashley Princess a good choice?

katiemaloe · 13-06-2009 08:36AM #1

Hi Everyone, I'm new here! I want to buy a new bike this week... I have looked at several.... pashley, raleigh elegance, dawes heritage etc... I think I like the pashley princess, pashley poppy and the raleigh elegance the most. Does anyone have one of these? Any recommendations or advice or bad points? Help would be much appreciated because it's so hard to decide!!!
Thanks a mil

Bikerbhoy · 13-06-2009 09:01AM

Hi there...... For what purpose are you buying the bike ?

katiemaloe · 13-06-2009 09:14AM

Hi, I want the bike for shopping and maybe cycling to work... just suburban cycling really...

blorg · 13-06-2009 09:40AM

For short distances it could be a good choice, they are nice looking bikes (but a bit of the heavy side with quite an upright position.)

Caroline_ie · 13-06-2009 09:54AM

Pashleys look great

I saw some of them at EuroCycle in town, I can't remember what street it is but, it's the same street as the old Cafe Mocha.

I think Lumen got one to his wife ( as an excuse to cycle it himself )

Civilian_Target · 13-06-2009 10:07AM

They're supposed to be very good, I know quite a few London-based satisfied owners.
They look good, they're quite practical and easy to cycle on the flat

fleet · 13-06-2009 10:10AM

Raleigh Elegance - without question.

The Pashleys cost 3 times more than they should - really average to low spec bikes that are a triumph of style over substance.

The Raleigh is great, the girlfriend bought one and loves it. Really well build, alloy frame, internal hub gears (just keep them oiled and they should last a lifetime) - even the little things like enclosed chain, dual density grips, strong wicker basket.
The only thing I don't like are their choice of tyres (should have gone for puncture proof given the typical user) - but those are cheaply replaced - see chainreactioncycles for pink ones!

fleet · 13-06-2009 10:11AM

Forgot to mention the Raleigh has a suspended seat post to iron out the bumps- really important given the upright riding position of all these bikes!

katiemaloe · 13-06-2009 10:27AM

fleet wrote: »

Raleigh Elegance - without question.

The Pashleys cost 3 times more than they should - really average to low spec bikes that are a triumph of style over substance.

The Raleigh is great, the girlfriend bought one and loves it. Really well build, alloy frame, internal hub gears (just keep them oiled and they should last a lifetime) - even the little things like enclosed chain, dual density grips, strong wicker basket.
The only thing I don't like are their choice of tyres (should have gone for puncture proof given the typical user) - but those are cheaply replaced - see chainreactioncycles for pink ones!

Cheers Fleet... excellent advice. I think the raleigh has brilliant features and you're right, puncture proof tyres would be fab! Thanks a million. Where did your girlfriend buy hers? I saw them in the new city cycles shop in Blackhall Place... they said €450 is their best price. Its a nice shop too and very helpful staff so would be happy to buy from them

Do you reckon that's a good price?

fleet · 13-06-2009 11:10AM

Eurocycle between Grafton and Georges St.

They said it was their last one and that they'd gotten it in for a customer who never collected it.

Sticker price was e445 but got it for 400 by just asking about a discount (was still slightly above budget but the discount sold us). Young chap had it ready an hour later.

PS - I replaced the brake pads soon afterwards (10 minute job) as they were way too hard (I've a funny feeling the bike had sat in a warehouse for a few years)

petethedrummer · 13-06-2009 12:17PM

Well the Pashley is much better looking. The Pashley frame is steel. Raleigh is aluminium. Steel is supposed to give a smoother ride. But is slightly heavier. Pashley has a brooks saddle, which some people rave about, it is leather and has springs.

http://www.pashley.co.uk/products/princess-classic.html
http://www.southwatercycles.com/products.php?plid=m1b0s131p1981

Lumen · 13-06-2009 01:13PM

The Pashley is so unlike a normal bike that I think you'd need a test ride to make the decision (this is true of all bikes really, but in this case much more so).

It is unbelievably heavy. It comes with a frame lock, which on my racer would be stupid (since someone could just carry it off) but you'd have to have some strength to carry a Pashley more than about 10 yards.

The riding position makes it quite easy to fit. I am 6ft and can ride my 5ft wife's Princess for shortish distances without changing the seat height.

I like the enclosed chain and full splash guard thing on the rear wheel. You can ride it in the rain in a skirt, though I've not tried yet.

I'm not wholly convinced by the performance of the hub gears and brakes, but at least they're pretty much maintenance free.

The bell is awesome. It's like cycling with Big Ben on the handlebars.

From what I can tell, there are lighter, cheaper, more sensible options than a Pashley, but if you like the style, go for it. People will smile at you.

katiemaloe · 13-06-2009 04:10PM

Hey Everyone... I just bought the Raleigh Elegance.... its fab! Light and loads of features.. it comes with literally everything, stand, enclosed chain, basket, rear carrier with elastics, bell, stand etc.. Love it! It has big wide handle bars and upright position, really easy and nice to cycle. Ive been cycling in the phoenix park all afternoon! All I have to do now is funk it up with a proper bell and some streamers!

Thanks to all for your tips and advice!! Kate

petethedrummer · 13-06-2009 06:13PM

High five for the High Nellys. They are the best thing for cycling around town. Get a good lock (or 2).

steinone · 13-06-2009 11:04PM

Nice one, I quite possibly built that bike for you.
It seemed very good indeed, well built and good parts, nice basket too:D.

katiemaloe · 28-06-2009 10:22PM

steinone wrote: »

Nice one, I quite possibly built that bike for you.
It seemed very good indeed, well built and good parts, nice basket too:D.

Wow thats cool!!!! Still lovin the bike..... a total pleasure and I love it!!! Cheers stein!

Pashley Princess a good choice?

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