[Closed] Dutch-style or "women's" bikes

The Evans Pinnacle range seems good value, and the [url= https://www.evanscycles.com/search/women_specific/?text=californium ]Californium[/url] is the right style.
(I only have experience of the Lithium though)

My other half has a Dawes Duchess. It's a cracking thing, six gears (I think) on a grip shift, basket, guards, the lot. There's a selection of fairly funky colour schemes too.

Not light at all, but it's not for racing on. I have been known to nip into town on it, it's a hoot 🙂

Ridgeback make one that is actually relatively light and comes with in funky colours (matching colour mudguards too).

Loads of Pashley princess's for sale second hand, around £350.

Tyre sizes mean schwalbe is pretty much the only option.
They are heavy and slow and sturmey-archer gears can be tricky to set up. They do absorb an astonishing amount of abuse though.

I have a pashley speed 5, it is a lovely thing but it is so uncomfortable.

Have a long weekend in Dutchland and bring one back with you, two birds one stone.

Would recommend a good condition used Batavus or Gazelle. I do surfaced cycle trails on a 3spd Nexus Batavus Personal Bike and it's like cruising on a well-sorted sofa. Paid about £100 for mine.

Beats Pashley on everything IMO. All the little touches such as integrated locks, quality sidestand, integrated dynamo lighting, oversize rack and well-fitted steel mudguards, the Dutch know how to do it properly.

*Edit. Most Dutch bikes would be quite a lump to fit in a car especially as the wheels are staying on so you'd need a hefty carrier.

If it's earmarked for spending most of its life in a (dry) shed I'd buy a used classic for a 100 quid? Then just spend on a comfortable saddle. It saves a Halfords BSO destined for the landfill, and you'll be keeping something nice in the World!

My OH has a Dawes Kalahari with a rack etc. 3 x 7 speed Shimano (I think, mudgauards and even a sprung seatpost. Been used 3 times, if you're interested?

Cube do a whole range of dropped-bar frames. Check out their website and find your local dealer.

I had a Batavus when I lived in Clogland and it was fantastic. Weighed a ton but was utterly reliable. Whole drive train was enclosed. I never even oiled the chain. Not cheap, mind. And fixing a puncture is a nightmare.

A friend of ours bought a Pashley because it looked nice. It was so heavy and hard work that she soon traded it for a Giant - something like this http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-gb/bikes/series/flourish/24982/ . I rode both of them and I was amazed by the difference.

As above, get a proper Dutch bike. The copies like that one at Evans look similar, but miss the point. You want a fully enclosed chain, hub gears, roller brakes, dynamo hub with bolted on lights, guards, racks, and a fixed lock. I haven't seen a UK brand put more than half of the list on a bike yet. Put some sealant in the tyres as taking the wheels off can be fairly involved.

[url= https://www.be-dutchbicycles.co.uk/ ]https://www.be-dutchbicycles.co.uk/[/url]

Thanks all, some useful info indeed.

failedengineer - Member

My OH has a Dawes Kalahari with a rack etc. 3 x 7 speed Shimano (I think, mudgauards and even a sprung seatpost. Been used 3 times, if you're interested?

Thanks Mr Engineer, I may be depending on location. Whereabouts are you?

Cumbria, near Carlisle.

failedengineer - Member

Cumbria, near Carlisle.

Hmm, bit of a trek from Bath for me!

Thanks v much anyway.

* Theres a Gazelle Ladies Tour Populair on the Bay for v cheap atm that I'd bag in a moment if it checked out ok. Would have to budget for non-pink tyres tho 😯

I've got a Giant ladies bike that an elderly friend of mine wants rid of. £80 and we are next door to Gatcombe Park nr Nailsworth. not far from you! Not 100% sure on size. Want me to check it out?

I've just received an email promoting these .

[img] http://media.chainreactioncycles.com//is/image/ChainReactionCycles/prod138570_IMGSET?wid=768&hei=768 [/img]

http://www.hotlines-uk.com/creme-caferacer-solo-ladies-3-speed-bike-2016-prod139867

tang - Member

I've got a Giant ladies bike that an elderly friend of mine wants rid of. £80 and we are next door to Gatcombe Park nr Nailsworth. not far from you! Not 100% sure on size. Want me to check it out?

If you would, that would be much appreciated!

spectabilis - Member

I've just received an email promoting these .

Thanks Spectabilis, but a tad too spendy. Look nice though!

The copies like that one at Evans look similar, but miss the point. You want a fully enclosed chain, hub gears, roller brakes, dynamo hub with bolted on lights, guards, racks, and a fixed lock.

I know what you mean and agree about a lot of that for certain uses, but the point of the Californium is to be light (it's lighter than most if not all) and at a reasonable price. It's less of the 'lock it up all day in the rain, ride daily' Dutch bike and more of a light, easy to ride bike with that classic look. The main issue with many of these bikes for non-daily use is the weight is high, they get expensive and the durability isn't needed to the same extent.

It's unlikely to see more use than a few times a year, so simplicity is key.

As above, get a proper dutch brand, like gazelle or batavus.
I recently started using an old batavus 3 speed thing for getting around on and it is ACE.
Full chain case, hub gears, proper mudguards, roller brakes, swept back bars, dynamo lights, racks yadda yadda.
Zero maintenance, completely convenient, superbly comfy.

Bobbins?

Partner got one off ebay a few months ago for her 0.5 mile commute. Loves it. Was a bargain too, in immaculate condition.

Malvern Rider - Member
Would recommend a good condition used Batavus or Gazelle. I do surfaced cycle trails on a 3spd Nexus Batavus Personal Bike and it's like cruising on a well-sorted sofa. Paid about £100 for mine.

Beats Pashley on everything IMO. All the little touches such as integrated locks, quality sidestand, integrated dynamo lighting, oversize rack and well-fitted steel mudguards, the Dutch know how to do it properly.

*Edit. Most Dutch bikes would be quite a lump to fit in a car especially as the wheels are staying on so you'd need a hefty carrier.

If it's earmarked for spending most of its life in a (dry) shed I'd buy a used classic for a 100 quid? Then just spend on a comfortable saddle. It saves a Halfords BSO destined for the landfill, and you'll be keeping something nice in the World!

+1 totally - nailed it

Not light these proper Dutch bikes mind if that's a consideration.

Have a look at the 'Dutchie' brand of bikes. They do one that's very similar to the Pashley Princess, but loads cheaper. Got my Mrs one on ebay for £130 barely used. As above, proper Dutch style with hub gears (Nexus) and brakes, enclosed chain, full guards, rack etc. so pretty resilient.

Does weigh a tonne, but great bike - really lovely to ride.

Blimey - moved to the proper bikes forum. I thought it might be a bit OT given it wasn't dirt related, but obv not!

Thanks all, some v useful food for thought.

Properly done (ie proper dutch), these sorts of bikes are so convenient and easy that they will only encourage use too.
Which is never a bad thing.