Nicola Bike.....did you like it

[DLeeds]

Did the person (can't remember her name) get the Nihola three wheel bike she orders. I wondered what the review was - is it as good as expected?

Nihola should be in the title

Yes! I posted the review here:

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/1012/465018?pg=3

Any questions just ask. I've now been riding it for several weeks and I just love it.

Just seen your original posts on the Nihola

How does it cope with hills? How old are your little ones? Do they seem a bit exposed? (it doesn't seem to protect them as well as the Kangaroo) Is the seat comfy? (DS is just 12mths - so does it have a 5 point harness)

Any additional bits of info much appreciated

It has seven gears and I can't tell you the gradient of the hills I do, some are quite steep. It's hard work but do-able. It depends how fit you are. My LO is four and a bit and very leggy. Not at all exposed, very snug in there and I'd say the same weather protection as the Kangaroo. Obviously I've not tested it but I'd also say the Nihola had more protection in itself as the box is higher, whereas the 'shell' on the Kangaroo is lower and I can't remember what it's made out of but it's not steel which is what the Nihola is made of.

The Kangaroo is wider than the Nihola. The seats are probably more comfortable and definitely a child could nap better in the Kangaroo; but there's less room for shopping in it. The Nihola has a normal lap belt, with safety clasp, and then there are two shoulder straps if you carry two children. You can put an infant carrier in it too, at the front of the bench (so you can carry two children and an infant), but I've not tried to fit an infant carrier.

The seat on the Nihola is just a padded bench, but seems comfy enough. The other advantage the Kangaroo has is that you can turn the seats round, but in practise, not sure how much you'd use that. Older children like to look out and anyway you can't really hear what they're saying if you're in traffic (or you're puffing too much to be able to talk back!). With the Kangaroo you can never totally take the cover off, with the Nihola you can.

Amazonianwoman where do you live?

I think the big difference is that the Nihola bike is simpler, more basic, but for me anyway it seems to just handle so much better. It's just more...intuitive. The steering is fundamentaly different in that the Nihola bike steers independently of the box. The Trio is the same IIRC. With the Kangaroo and bikes like the Christiana you have to turn the whole load. I found this really hard going and it made me feel really unsteady, whereas the Nihola just feels like a normal bike when you ride/steer. It's very nippy. The Trio has a different riding position, you're much more stooped over.

I studied these bikes quite intensively so anything I can help with, just let me know!

Thanks LbL - v helpful. I'd love one [swoons]

I actually bought a bike trailer a few weeks ago, mainly because I'm doing a 600km charity bike ride in August and need to get out training during the week with kids in tow. It's fine, but I'm limited to very very quiet roads/cycle paths, or I stick it in the boot & drive somewhere first, because I just don't like the idea of them being low down behind me in traffic. The upfront thing is the most appealing aspect of the Nihola etc.

I'm going to stick with the trailer for now, but am considering something like the Nihola for when DD starts reception in September - I really don't fancy driving 3.5miles each way in heavy traffic (but have sussed out a good route using mostly cycle paths ) DD 3.9 only has a couple of inches of headroom in the trailer, but the Niholas/Kangaroos have a much longer shelf-life.

I loved the look of the Trio, but can't find any positive reviews I'm used to the stooped over position with my mountain bike, so don't mind that, but it doesn't sound very manoeuvrable, and I wouldn't need the solo bike/buggy options. I like the side roll bars on the Kangaroo (similar to my trailer) but it does look huge!

I see that London Recumbents sell both, so if I'm serious about getting one, a trip to London would be in order (I'm near Manchester) Oh to live in Holland/Denmark!!

What kind of roads/traffic conditions/situations do you use your Nihola in? Are you given a wide berth? Are you happy to leave it outside shops etc? Does your LO like it? Is s/he the envy of all her/his friends?!

Thanks in anticipation

Hello Amazonian woman. Wow 600K!!

Obviously with the Nihola it's not very easy to transport to 'other places' to cycle. I mean, I know that's obvious, but it's something to consider. You do need to become more part of the traffic, instead of nipping in and out of it, with the Nihola. But I guess you're used to that with the trailer. Yes the head room, at least in the Nihola is high. I'd say you could easily put much older children in there.

My DD loves it. The thing is you have to be used to answering ALOT of questions about it. I live in the country and it causes a lot of looks and remarks (all positive so far but..). I often hear children see it as we go past saying "Mummy I want one!" Although that said, sometimes DD wants to cycle her bike and not be ridden but I just explain that's not possible at the moment over long distances. It's nice that we can go out on her bike, and when she gets tired, I can put her and her bike in the Nihola box. Like a suoourt vehicle...

Anyway to your Q. I drive it in town, on all sorts of roads, and along a woodland track. There's not City traffic though (I used to live in London so know what city traffic can be like, that said, it often moves slowly...). I've always been given a very wide berth.

I do know someone who has the Trio. I think she's the UK PR or something. She drives one in London. If you do come to London then it makes sense for you to test ride all three (do ring London Recumbents first to make sure they're expecting you and have the Kangaroo and the Nihola one in). Do you want her number (presuming I can still find it?)

The roll bars on the Kangaroo - I do see why you like them but have you thought about when they'd actually be used? This sounds like I'm trying to dissuade you from the Kangaroo and I'm really not. I nearly bought one. But it's a lot of money and I want you to be happy with your choice.

Good luck with the 600K ride and don't hesitate to ask anything else. I'm a bike bore...

Thanks again

Mind if I ask how much you paid for the Nihola?

I've just discovered that they do a seat for younger children up to age 3 (Sitzadaptor) which would make me feel much happier putting DS in the Nihola, and not feel the need for the roll bars/added protection.

Having been on our 1st local outing with the trailer today, ie not driving 1st, I think the Kangaroo would be too wide for some of the barriers (it was a PITA getting about 3 metres of bike + trailer through them cos they're kind of angled)

Ooooh, I'd really love one Can't really justify one until DD starts school. Might have to downgrade my car to convince DH...

Just want to say thanks for the review LBL - I have loved reading about your experiences - I would love one.

DLeeds - have you had a chance to try one? Thinking about making a trip to London Recumbents in the summer hols...

I can't see exactly what the Sitzadaptor is, but from what I can make it out it looks like a snugger seat? Looks great. Also it's interesting how little some things cost on that site you posted to AW. I paid £60 for the lights (for four) and they're ten euros each on that site.

I didn't have much change from £1,700. Gosh it hurts just to write that. But I looked at it this way: when I lived in London I paid not far off that for gym membership and it has very good resale value. A girl's got to justify it to herself someway. It's a shame they're so expensive because they're out of reach of so many people and yet they're brilliant.

Thanks once again

I thought it would cost about that. It is expensive, but then you could easily spend that on a good road bike. I think I could justify it if I was doing the school run twice a day (9 miles) - at least that's the stance I'll be taking with DH

I think it would be worth it AM - but then I am biased simply by a large dose of bike envy. I have both seen and ridden one (since the earlier posts) - they were much better built than I expected! I cannot justify one just yet (long distance commuter) but I am working towards it.

Also looking at your earlier link for the child seat. I think you could achieve the five point harness safety with normal child bike rear seat. Just bolt to the existing seat. ARe you still considering buying one?

I'd love one - if I can fit work around dropping off/picking up DD from school from September (about 2.5miles each way, a bit too far for her to walk, a nightmare car journey, a perfect bike ride ). I need to take a tape measure to check that it would fit through a couple of barriers

Good idea re seat for DS.