Advice Please - Bike for Mrs

[hans kraay fan club]

Are these sorts of things a bit of a compromise

Trek T30 2012 Women's Hybrid Bike | Evans Cycles

... so still got a bit of a retro look to it but got some gears which in my world says it's easier to ride around the country lanes

They just look so heavy and my Mrs isn't the beefiest! Oh and the need to go on a bike rack?

The spec looks identical to the Apollo one I linked to above, which was £90 cheaper. The reviews look very positive, too.

 

[Rugrat]

The spec looks identical to the Apollo one I linked to above, which was £90 cheaper. The reviews look very positive, too.

Y ... but now going well below my budget (you get what you pay for??) and into Halfords own brand, feels scary, despite the reviews! I've upped the budget to £350 and have decided I'll go for this look. Gonna have a trawl around now (although not sure what I'm looking for!!)

 

[Bold Seagull]

Are these sorts of things a bit of a compromise

Trek T30 2012 Women's Hybrid Bike | Evans Cycles

... so still got a bit of a retro look to it but got some gears which in my world says it's easier to ride around the country lanes

They just look so heavy and my Mrs isn't the beefiest! Oh and the need to go on a bike rack?

I think I posted this earlier which is similar (but cheaper) and a good spec....http://www.evanscycles.com/products/trek/t10-2011-womens-hybrid-bike-ec001535?utm_source=85386&utm_medium=Awin&utm_campaign=Affiliate

 

[perseus]

If you have somewhere safe to store the bike, I would tend to go for this one:

Halcyon Aquilla Low Step Through Unisex Bike ONLY £349.99 [ 10HALCAQUIL ] - Discount Cycles Direct - Top Quality Brands at Discounted Prices

Note the hub gears

 

[Stat Brother]

There's also nothing to say that you can't BUY a bike in Halfords, and have it looked after by somebody more expert. As [MENTION=435]Stat Brother[/MENTION] rightly points out, most of the bikes come from the same factories anyway.

Oh I feel a Perseus style backpedal coming on (pun intended).

But for clarification I meant most bikes from most cycle specific brands are made in the same factory.
Trek, Specialised, Giant, and so on.

I don't know either way, but would hazard a guess that the Apollo is cheaper because of where that was made, and the skill levels of the employees therein.

A good rule of thumb would be to compare the weight of both bikes, not the add ons (spec).

 

[hans kraay fan club]

Oh I feel a Perseus style backpedal coming on (pun intended).

But for clarification I meant most bikes from most cycle specific brands are made in the same factory.
Trek, Specialised, Giant, and so on.

I don't know either way, but would hazard a guess that the Apollo is cheaper because of where that was made, and the skill levels of the employees therein.

A good rule of thumb would be to compare the weight of both bikes, not the add ons (spec).

Possibly - although actually that model is only £90 cheaper because its discounted from £300, rather than being cheaper RRP. Most of the spec looked excatly the same - same brand of gears, etc. I'm really no expert though, so absolutely bow to the much greater pool of NSC knowledge. I don't want Mrs [MENTION=18774]Rugrat[/MENTION] to end up with a DOG off the back of my suggestion!

 

[Stat Brother]

I don't want Mrs [MENTION=18774]Rugrat[/MENTION] to end up with a DOG off the back of my suggestion!

Neither do I, my next post is going to be a doosy!

 

[Stat Brother]

Are these sorts of things a bit of a compromise

Trek T30 2012 Women's Hybrid Bike | Evans Cycles

... so still got a bit of a retro look to it but got some gears which in my world says it's easier to ride around the country lanes

They just look so heavy and my Mrs isn't the beefiest! Oh and the need to go on a bike rack?

I don't know you, or Mrs RR.
I have absolutely no idea of what bike she's after, and I have never seen or ridden any of the bikes I'm about to discuss.
My opinion is completely irrelevant in the whole scheme of things and is not to be followed.

But...

If Mrs RR doesn't like the bike, no matter who it's made by and how much it costs, it will be shed fodder. FACT.

If you fancy the idea of cycling in The Loire Valley, go there, hire bikes and cycle it. It will be fantastic, I'm sure you'll love it.

There is a wealth of choice but a great man once said...'She would like that and would likely dress up as Mary Poppins to go into town and try to ride back with onions hanging out of the basket .... the whole deal! But I'm not going to indulge her to that extent'
For that you get a half price near bespoke UK designed bike with near bomb proof gears.

For at least £150 less than it's rivals, which is probably the cost of the Loire hire or a bike rack.
Rivals which you are already calling a compromise!.

I really don't know, to be honest with so much choice there probably isn't a right answer, but remember you're buying the bike to be ridden.

 

[Bold Seagull]

I think most women I know, would snatch your hand off for that Charge Decanter over the Trek T30, or Halcyon etc. every day of the week.

I can't believe it is only £235!

It's a gorgeous bit of kit that most ladies would love to be seen on.

 

[hans kraay fan club]

I think most women I know, would snatch your hand off for that Charge Decanter over the Trek T30, or Halcyon etc. every day of the week.

I can't believe it is only £235!

It's a gorgeous bit of kit that most ladies would love to be seen on.

This is the right answer I think

She is a WOMAN after all, and as such is going to value how the thing LOOKS above all else. It it looks great.

 

[hans kraay fan club]

In fact, I think [MENTION=18774]Rugrat[/MENTION] should get HIMSELF a gent's one to match Wiggle | Charge Scourer 2012 | Hybrid City Bikes

 

[Rugrat]

If you fancy the idea of cycling in The Loire Valley, go there, hire bikes and cycle it. It will be fantastic, I'm sure you'll love it.

Very wise point - taken

OK ... if I go for the retro one does it have a built in steam facility and halogen hob?



Seriously ... bit worried about the hub gears ... she may well want to use it on "country lanes" as we're not in the city here ... would the retro with the hub gears be OK for that or should I look more towards ones with more gears like the [MENTION=3566]hans kraay fan club[/MENTION] candidate. She'll like all of them I'm sure ... she's dead keen on the whole thing, I'm sure

I'm down to a 3 way fight between Mary Poppins, Cheap Halfords Shit but gets good reviews, and [MENTION=153]perseus[/MENTION] late 8 speed jobby, but obv very worried by including his recomm but has a big discount!

So I guess Q's are

1. Are 3 gears limiting for riding around the lanes, Sunday afternoon stuff?
2. Are hub gears more or less reliable?

I reckon that'll be me finished then, cheers!

 

[Stat Brother]

Unsurprisingly I was looking for something else, when I saw it.
I instantly thought of Mrs Rugrat, (nothing new there ), and I'm also pretty gobsmacked by the price.

 

[Stat Brother]

Hubs rock, you'll have no problems with them, in fact you'll probably have less.
All postie bikes, back in the day, were hub geared.

As the amount and ratio well nobody can really help you there.
That's all down to where it'll be ridden and Mrs RR power outputs!

 

[Stat Brother]

One other thing.

Should Mrs RR want to carry more stuff in panniers, the Mary Poppins doesn't look too compatible.

 

[Rugrat]

Unsurprisingly I was looking for something else, when I saw it.
I instantly thought of Mrs Rugrat, (nothing new there ), and I'm also pretty gobsmacked by the price.

She'll be thrilled by your consideration .. btw when you say it you mean the Mary Poppins one right?

 

[Stat Brother]

She'll be thrilled by your consideration .. btw when you say it you mean the Mary Poppins one right?

Yep I saw it first!!!

Or alternatively you scrap all the good advise and go for modern but retro classic off t'internet.

Wiggle | Charge Ladies Decanter 2012 | Hybrid City Bikes

I recently listened to an uber geeky interview with the owner, and he came across really well.

 

[Bold Seagull]

So I guess Q's are

1. Are 3 gears limiting for riding around the lanes, Sunday afternoon stuff?
2. Are hub gears more or less reliable?

I reckon that'll be me finished then, cheers!

1. A 3 gear ratio should give you a low enough ratio to climb the odd slope, and then get some speed up in the higher gear on the flats.

2. Much more reliable. All the gearing is internal and not subject to dust, dirt and water. I've had a hub gear for 8 years and still going fine. A typical entry level derailleur will need adjustment occasionally, regularly cleanings and oiling. There is nothing more annoying than 'clicking' slightly out of sync gears.

Hubs are again more and more popular because they offer a maintenance free reliable solution, and for most people represent all the ratio's they need.

 

[perseus]

Derailleurs are a pain for maintenance, chain wear/stretching, sudden changing gear in towns. Then the new chain does not ride correctly on the old chain wheel. Hub gears can add £100 on the cost of a bike all things being equal.

Halycon used to do a hub gear bike with a crossbar (needed for lifting the bike over stiles) at £300 but this one does not seem to available any more.

I have got a hub gear bike dating from 1939 and gears only stopped working a few years back.

Hub gear information

3-speed hub gears might be limiting in hilly Brighton.

 

[Rugrat]

Halycon used to do a hub gear bike with a crossbar (needed for lifting the bike over stiles) at £300 but this one does not seem to available any more.

Are Halcyon a reputable brand? Why do you think the discount on that bike is so large ... or is it just boolox??