Which vintage style ladies bike?

Rummer

I am now ready to make the final decision on my bike and just wondered if there were anymore recommendations? Over the weekend I am going to see the

Bobbin Birdie
Dawes Duchess
Pendleton Somerby

So excited

Marco_Panettone

My advice (which will sound obvious) is to get the one you like the most. You're the one who will live with it, and if you love it you'll use it more.


Personally I like the Bobbin Birdie - full chainguard and hub gears will make everything tidier. I also think a rack is more useful than a basket, although either could be added at a later date anyway. I'd also want to finish the bike with some nice dynamo lights, probably from www.dutchbikebits.com (I'm not connected to the company, but have bought several things from them and the range is great. Not the cheapest though.) That's just me though.


Whichever you get I'm sure you'll love it.

Rummer

Finally chose today :j

I ended up going for ………… A Bobbin Black Orchid

Johnmcl7

Rummer wrote: »

Finally chose today :j

I ended up going for ………… A Bobbin Black Orchid

I agree with Marco that it's important to get a bike you like and feel comfortable on although looks like you've chosen a good bike, quite impressive they way they've mixed a classic style with some great modern features like hydraulic disc brakes.

John

fred246

I am so glad you didn't end up getting a bike with internal hub gears. I thought they'd be great until I bought a bike with Nexus hub gears. What a nightmare. So glad when it went in the bin.

Marco_Panettone

fred246 wrote: »

I am so glad you didn't end up getting a bike with internal hub gears. I thought they'd be great until I bought a bike with Nexus hub gears. What a nightmare. So glad when it went in the bin.

I have a Sturmey Archer hub that's still going strong after 50 years...

fred246

Yes after I posted that I thought maybe I should have qualified it. I have a Sturmey Archer 3 speed that is 34 years old and working well. If it breaks I can watch youtube videos on fixing it. Parts available and no special tools needed. But I need more than 3 speeds so I don't often use that bike. I think a Rohloff would be OK. I would service it annually but they are expensive. The Nexus hubs are expensive, need special tools if you are going to fix them, very complicated, lots of small parts, maintenance oil costs a fortune. They are poorly sealed and mine only lasted for 18 months. I had 3 before I binned the bike. I have a sneaky suspicion that bike shops are promoting them because when they break you have to take them back to the shop and pay a big bill either for mending or replacing the hub. The hubs cost over £100 and then you have labour charges.

Marco_Panettone

fred246 wrote: »

Yes after I posted that I thought maybe I should have qualified it.

To be fair you did use the word "Nexus".

liz545

Rummer wrote: »

Finally chose today :j

I ended up going for ………… A Bobbin Black Orchid

That looks like a lovely bike - and the disc brakes will give you plenty of stopping power. Enjoy riding your new bike!

Rummer

Just a wee update My bike is wonderful! Not only is she very pretty but hills are a breeze and she is comfy too. Glad I managed to find a combination between pretty and practical.