Good commute bike with step-through frame?

robertito said:

I've been looking around to see what bikes might suit him if he decides
to take the plunge and buy his own bike (my fiancee needs the Ridgeback
for her commute too!). The Ridgeback Velocity is pretty good, though
maybe an even lower step-through would be nice (in fact I think the
cross-bar on the 2007 Velocity has been raised somewhat)- and he
probably won't really need the resilience of a hybrid, something a bit
lighter/faster with thinner tires for nipping about town could be even
better.

Different tyres is just a case of changing the tyres...

Beyond that, folders are typically step-through. Dahon do several
examples in the budget range, including a few that have a fair gear
selection too, though without all the fuss and maintenance from
derailleurs on the hub geared models. Something like
http://www.fisheroutdoor.co.uk/public/index.php/product/DHKA0726.html
might well fit the bill, and comes well equipped for urban use with
mudguards and rack as standard.

Pete.
--
Peter Clinch Medical Physics IT Officer
Tel 44 1382 660111 ext. 33637 Univ. of Dundee, Ninewells Hospital
Fax 44 1382 640177 Dundee DD1 9SY Scotland UK
net [email hidden] http://www.dundee.ac.uk/~pjclinch/

robertito said:

Hi there - my father-in-law-to-be is interested in getting back in to
cycling. A splendid fellow, in his late fifties, he needs a bike with a
step-through frame (a.k.a women's style) due to his hip. At the moment
he's borrowing my fiancee's bike (a 2005 women's Ridgeback Velocity) and
has commuted to work on it a couple of times already this week. The
commute is just over 3 miles, on road/tarmac-cyclepath, with a sizeable
hill, and I think he's quite pleased with himself - he's discovered the
joy of cycling! He particularily likes the good range of clickable gears,
which really help with the hill.

Second-hand Moulton will fit the bill. Even a 1960's one with 4-speed
Sturmey-Archer would probably do, and save a large proportion of that
budget.

Mike

I bought my mother a bike by Orbea (from some LBS in the absolute
depths of the fens). She tried just about everything in the shop from
folders to a Pashley Princess but went for the Orbea because of its
lightness and smaller size. Came complete with a basket and dynamo -
just right for getting around the village in one's grand-mother-hood.

In article <[email hidden]>

robertito said:

Hi there - my father-in-law-to-be is interested in getting back in to
cycling. A splendid fellow, in his late fifties, he needs a bike with a
step-through frame (a.k.a women's style) due to his hip. At the moment
he's borrowing my fiancee's bike (a 2005 women's Ridgeback Velocity)
and has commuted to work on it a couple of times already this week. The
commute is just over 3 miles, on road/tarmac-cyclepath, with a sizeable
hill, and I think he's quite pleased with himself - he's discovered the
joy of cycling! He particularily likes the good range of clickable
gears, which really help with the hill.

I've been looking around to see what bikes might suit him if he decides
to take the plunge and buy his own bike (my fiancee needs the Ridgeback
for her commute too!). The Ridgeback Velocity is pretty good, though
maybe an even lower step-through would be nice (in fact I think the
cross-bar on the 2007 Velocity has been raised somewhat)- and he
probably won't really need the resilience of a hybrid, something a bit
lighter/faster with thinner tires for nipping about town could be even
better.

Does the panel have any suggestions? The budget would probably be
around £350 max including mudgaurds and rear rack (I think we've got
spare lights somewhere). So far I've been looking at these bikes:

http://www.dawescycles.com/dawes/sonoran-ladies.htm
http://www.dawescycles.com/dawes/red-feather.htm
http://www.falconcycles.co.uk/CORP/cb/odysseyW.html

-although it's a ladies frame, it would also be nice if the frame
wasn't bright pink...!

You won't get a lower step-through than the Dahon Ciao, apparently
there's going to be a 24" wheel version for 2007 - it's probably a bit
above your budget though.
The Dawes Red Feather looks pretty cool to me - I wouldn't worry too
much about the wide 26" tyres, although there's always the option of
fitting narrower ones. The suspension forks on the Claud Butler Odyssey
are a waste of time, as are the multitude of gears - you just don't such
wide ratios for pootling around. The Sonoran looks like a nice touring
bike for the money, but for the use you describe I really don't think it
would offer any advantages, plus it's heavier and considerably more
expensive. The Red Feather components are of lower quality, but for the
money saved you can afford to fit better bits when they wear out.
Also the Red Feather looks like a nicely designed town/utility bike
rather than a woman's bike - I wouldn't mind being seen riding one. :-)

"You won't get a lower step-through than the Dahon Ciao, apparently
there's going to be a 24" wheel version for 2007 - it's probably a bit
above your budget though.

That will be
http://www.fisheroutdoor.co.uk/public/index.php/product/DHLA053.html
Saw it at the bike show and it looked good