C
Chris French
Guest
January, cold, and a cyclists thoughts turn to warmer times to come........
Plans for this year include to get out on more family cycles with Elinor in the trailer and SWMBO.
I'm trying to encourage Helen to get her own bike (she does have an old one - ex-police auction
which did sterling work as a London commuter in her student days, but it's not really up to the job)
We can get bye with the existing bikes, but it's not ideal. She doesn't like drops so she can ride
on the normal utility/towing bike (an ex MTB, but not light - hub gears and brakes, stand, and
various gubbins). We are a similar size, but of course it's never quite the right fit either.
I then can use the tourer (a much modified Dalesman Guy) to tow the trailer, but I'm not so happy
with that, it's generally not a 'good feeling' - and I don't feel as confident with the brakes -
though it's done heavy loaded touring in hilly areas so should cope ok really).
So a bike for wifey is on the horizon, but TBH, I never really keep up with what's on the market so
I'm looking for some suggestions to shortcut some of the market research.
We aren't looking at mega distances, I expect no more than 20-30 miles at the most at the moment
(I'm towing the trailer for starters - and this is Yorkshire...), though who knows in the future?
Road usage mostly, though maybe with some light 'offroading' gravelled forest tracks, ex railway
lines etc.
Thoughts so far:
Fairly cheap (max GBP 300, preferably less) an ex 2002 bike on sale would be good. 2nd hand is a
possibility if something suitable turned up, but I'm looking for a decent bike here to make
riding enjoyable
Flat handlebars, reasonably upright position, comfort, not speed is going to be more of an
important factor.
Complete with mudguards and rack, or at least with the necessary braze-ons.
Suggestions?
--
Chris French, Leeds
Plans for this year include to get out on more family cycles with Elinor in the trailer and SWMBO.
I'm trying to encourage Helen to get her own bike (she does have an old one - ex-police auction
which did sterling work as a London commuter in her student days, but it's not really up to the job)
We can get bye with the existing bikes, but it's not ideal. She doesn't like drops so she can ride
on the normal utility/towing bike (an ex MTB, but not light - hub gears and brakes, stand, and
various gubbins). We are a similar size, but of course it's never quite the right fit either.
I then can use the tourer (a much modified Dalesman Guy) to tow the trailer, but I'm not so happy
with that, it's generally not a 'good feeling' - and I don't feel as confident with the brakes -
though it's done heavy loaded touring in hilly areas so should cope ok really).
So a bike for wifey is on the horizon, but TBH, I never really keep up with what's on the market so
I'm looking for some suggestions to shortcut some of the market research.
We aren't looking at mega distances, I expect no more than 20-30 miles at the most at the moment
(I'm towing the trailer for starters - and this is Yorkshire...), though who knows in the future?
Road usage mostly, though maybe with some light 'offroading' gravelled forest tracks, ex railway
lines etc.
Thoughts so far:
Fairly cheap (max GBP 300, preferably less) an ex 2002 bike on sale would be good. 2nd hand is a
possibility if something suitable turned up, but I'm looking for a decent bike here to make
riding enjoyable
Flat handlebars, reasonably upright position, comfort, not speed is going to be more of an
important factor.
Complete with mudguards and rack, or at least with the necessary braze-ons.
Suggestions?
--
Chris French, Leeds