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Original poster

Step through bikes - future proofing

68 replies

NotMeNoNo · 21/04/2020 17:21

I'm in the process of getting a bike through the Cycle to work scheme.

I was on the point of getting a Specialized hybrid but the Covid situation has put things on pause. I've been doing some more cycling on my old bike (a unisex one) whilst in lockdown. It occurred to me, I'm 50 now, hope to still be riding to work for 15 years. I might be glad of a step through frame when I'm even less flexible than I am now. Also for riding around town with a lot of stopping and starting as opposed to performance riding, it's much easier to get on and off with a lowered bar especially with panniers on.

Am I over thinking or should I narrow my search to the small range of step through hybrids?

Step through bikes - future proofing
OP posts:
Thread gallery
6
AnotherEmma · 22/04/2020 11:22

Something like this?
www.evanscycles.com/cannondale-quick-6-2020-women-s-hybrid-bike-EV360887

Original poster
NotMeNoNo · 22/04/2020 11:49

Yes the Quick 5 also is on my short list.

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Knittingnanny · 22/04/2020 12:38

We are trying to cycle everyday in lockdown , anywhere between 6 and 11 miles is my comfortable range, but only when it is not raining!
Used to have babies and toddlers on the back in the 80’s but don’t feel confident enough to put grandchildren on the back anymore.
Used to cycle to school everyday with all my infant paraphernalia on the back and in a rucksack.
Love cycling and hoping the step through will enable me to carry on for a long time yet. Then I might get an e-bike.
I’ve got arthritic knees which really hurt when walking but not at all when cycling so I need to keep it up daily after lockdown.

Step through bikes - future proofing
CalmConfident · 22/04/2020 12:43

Have you looked at the Isla bike icon range? Higher price point but the kids bikes are amazing...will be similar quality !

www.islabikes.co.uk/product/bikes/icons/joni/

Original poster
NotMeNoNo · 22/04/2020 13:00

That looks a really accessible bike and amazingly light. I feel practical bikes like that are really under rated

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lekkerkroketje · 22/04/2020 13:25

We have German VSF bike for trekking (in the Netherlands!). So far ours seem robust and pretty easy to fix and adapt. Here is a nice red example, in budget. Unfortunately most of the decent Dutch brands don't seem to be widely available in the UK. [[https://www.gazellebikes.com/en-gb/vento-c7-v3 This] is probably what you'd buy in NL with those specifications. Decent, solid, relatively light, comfortable, enough gears to deal with most cities (apart from maybe Bristol or Durham!), will last at least 15 years and would cope with dirt tracks (but not true off road).

I prefer the step-through for lots of reasons, besides being Dutch. You can jump off more easily if you're about to crash; they're normally a more upright position so you can see more and are more visible in traffic; it's less weight on your arms so less tiring; they're much easier to get on and off if heavily loaded or you're wearing a skirt.

lekkerkroketje · 22/04/2020 13:25

Sorry, clicky link

www.gazellebikes.com/en-gb/vento-c7-v3

Original poster
NotMeNoNo · 22/04/2020 14:57

Thanks/Dankje
Hub dynamo lights, full chainguard, very nice!

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Bimbleberries · 22/04/2020 15:13

Thanks, yes I think we are looking for something similar. The step through looks a bit twee and retro, but I do think I'd find it very practical!! And I want some sort of basket on the front, likely not wicker though! My old one was a mesh one, but I don't think it was as securely fastened to the front as some are, because it wobbled a bit too, and added to my sensation of feeling wobbly and unbalanced. It also got caught all the time in the handles of the bikes next to it in the communal cycle park (they are too close together, really, and always feels like I'm fighting to get the bike in and out).

The Liv Alight looks good too, as do the Avenidas. And the Isla bike, but out of my price range I think. One of the stores near me has lots of the Gazelles, but they are closed at the moment.

I think that's going to be a sticking point, as I have a feeling I will need to try out the different shapes/weights to see what I like, and that's probably impossible at the moment. I'm also just on the crossover height between the frame sizes, as they show 5'4" as being in two categories, so I'd probably want to test that out too.

I'm still not sure why the different gears make such a price difference. I saw the Avenida 6 for £200 cheaper than the Avenida 7, which is a lot for one extra gear! Most of the other stuff looked the same. But maybe it is a much bigger difference than I'm appreciating.

Original poster
NotMeNoNo · 22/04/2020 15:14

Definitely test ride. I ordered four bikes in two shops to test and one was a clear front runner (before I changed my mind about the unisex frame).

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AnotherEmma · 22/04/2020 15:42

Bimble
Personally I find a rear basket (on a pannier rack mount) much better than a front basket, you can fit more in and they don't affect your balance or get in the way as much. I miss mine now I have a child seat on the back instead!

Bimbleberries · 22/04/2020 15:43

That's good that the shops would order them in for you to test at least. I know a few shops here are still open, but not sure if they allow any test riding. They don't seem to have many in stock generally, so would have to order them in specially, and I wasn't sure if they'd do that if you weren't sure you wanted that model. I'd want two sizes of a couple of models, as well! Unless they could judge better by my leg length or something, as the online size guidelines just go by height.

Bimbleberries · 22/04/2020 15:45

Yes I prefer things on the back too - I have a pannier rack at the moment, so could get a back basket too. But I don't like the fact that I can't see my handbag in it! Or to just grab my phone/water/tissues/keys or something when I happen to stop briefly, which is easy to do in the front. But there might be another sort of bag/pocket I could get just for that.

AnotherEmma · 22/04/2020 15:47

Ah yes i see what you mean. You can get small handlebar bags. I wonder if you can get small mesh baskets too. I do have a smallish front basket atm, it's from décathlon and not too bad.

Original poster
NotMeNoNo · 22/04/2020 16:18

With the test riding, I had to put down a deposit which was refunded. I sat on a few of the bikes in the shop to judge my size (Small) and then asked them to order in the specific models I was interested in. I think they should work for their sale!

I'm really window shopping at the moment as yes all our good local shops like Rutland cycling are closed, hopefully not for too long.

Decathlon have some great luggage, there's this kind of clip on handbag for handlebars I really fancy!

Step through bikes - future proofing
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Original poster
NotMeNoNo · 22/04/2020 16:21

To add, one shop let me ride round their large car park a few times whilst a staff member watched. Evans they have a system where you leave your credit card and can take the bike out for half an hour - it was great.

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Bimbleberries · 22/04/2020 19:44

oh that bag looks nice, might have to take a trip to a few shops once this is all over!! So it might not be my exercise for the moment, but maybe by the summer...

PenfoldsFive · 23/04/2020 07:40

This thread is really making me want to buy a nice bike. I have a mountain bike that weighs about the same as a Corsa. I hate mountain bike handlebars, I find them so uncomfortable.

chocolatespiders · 23/04/2020 10:20

Have a look at some of the ideas on here penfold. Sell yours and get one you really like.
I am doing extra hours in NHS at the moment and planning to use the extra money on a new bike! Keeps me going!

Bimbleberries · 23/04/2020 10:31

I see a lot of Bobbin bikes around - are they hybrids? Anyone know if these are any good? People seem to buy them as they like the style, but they are less expensive than some of these other hybrid models so wonder if they're worth considering. Or is it just branding that makes them popular?

TimeForCableTies · 23/04/2020 13:24

Penfold I hate the mountain bike handlebars too! Used to really put me off riding. And having to lean forwards as if I'm in a race. Ugh. Designed by men for men?

My bike looks like that etienne one. No back rack at the moment as I've got a baby seat fitted. So lovely to ride though.

PenfoldsFive · 23/04/2020 14:35

For me the mountain bike shape is all wrong, I’m heavy and my arms and wrists find the angle of lean really sore. Similarly I have a long body and short legs, so I constantly want to push myself back up.

Some of the bikes on this thread are lovely. I had a fab Specialized women’s frame hybrid years ago that was a dream.

Original poster
NotMeNoNo · 23/04/2020 15:16

What is it about the mountain bike handlebars - aren't most of them just normal straight bars?

OP posts:
AnotherEmma · 23/04/2020 15:29

Bimble
I haven't looked at the Bobbin bikes but I assume it's a style thing - they look nice but might be a bit heavy and not particularly light or fast to ride? If the bikes discussed on this thread are more expensive it's most probably because of the quality of the materials and parts.

DH's bike is also a hybrid but slightly more of a city bike with a more upright sitting position and slightly curved handlebars. It's more comfy to ride than my hybrid, which feel "sportier" as it has straight handlebars and i lean forward more - but my bike is lighter and faster.

I think it must be impossible to choose a bike without trying it out. Difficult atm!

PenfoldsFive · 23/04/2020 17:09

That’s it, the straight handlebars don’t feel natural to me, a slight curve is much more comfortable. I don’t mean as pronounced as a Dutch bike, just a slight angle, for me it makes all the difference.

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