A bike for London

[vickster]

That’s a very good point. That could really work.

A Pashley maybe

 

[Dogtrousers]

Personally I'd go for an 80s era five speed with friction shifting for bulletproofness and low maintenance, or maybe a more modern 8 speed. Something chunky that won't wear out quickly and doesn't need finicky adjustment. This also has the advantage of being cheaper and fitting your pice bracket, but maybe not your "nimble" requirement.

Fairly puncture resistant tyres would be a good idea, but they too will not help much on the nimbleness front. A rack for carrying stuff will be useful but not make you more nimble.

Don't believe the idea that less fancy looking bikes are significantly less likely to get nicked. If it can get nicked it will be. Also don't believe tales of the streets being crammed an epidemic of knife welding thieves. There have been a few cases over there last few years it's true, but plain old nicking of unattended bikes is what you should consider.

 

[Cycleops]

A Pashley maybe

Did the OP mention he was a weight lifter?

 

[vickster]

Did the OP mention he was a weight lifter?

No heavier than a Dutch bike

 

[Shortandcrisp]

You mentioned you’d previously ridden a Specialised Sirrus; well I reckon a battered ol’ secondhand Sirrus for about 2-3 hundred quid would be ideal for London. Good heads up position, comfortable ride and something no self respecting mugger would touch with a barge-pole/samurai sword.

 

[vickster]

You mentioned you’d previously ridden a Specialised Sirrus; well I reckon a battered ol’ secondhand Sirrus for about 2-3 hundred quid would be ideal for London. Good heads up position, comfortable ride and something no self respecting mugger would touch with a barge-pole/samurai sword.

The only bike I’ve ever had stolen in London was a Specialized Sirrus. Just saying. At one point, it and the Allez were the most reported stolen bikes in London. Just saying!
As said, You’re far far far more likely to just have a bike stolen while locked up on the street than by a mugger!

He does say he wants drops or bullhorns. A standard Sirrus has neither

 

[Shortandcrisp]

Having never ridden in London, I’ll defer to your local knowledge.

 

[westlondon24]

You mentioned you’d previously ridden a Specialised Sirrus; well I reckon a battered ol’ secondhand Sirrus for about 2-3 hundred quid would be ideal for London. Good heads up position, comfortable ride and something no self respecting mugger would touch with a barge-pole/samurai sword.

I’d agree with you about its attractiveness to muggers! I never found the position terribly comfortable though. I find Dutch-style bikes to have a very comfortable position, though have found hybrids to be a bit mountain bike-y. Just want to say thanks for everyone’s ideas!

 

[westlondon24]

The only bike I’ve ever had stolen in London was a Specialized Sirrus. Just saying. At one point, it and the Allez were the most reported stolen bikes in London. Just saying!
As said, You’re far far far more likely to just have a bike stolen while locked up on the street than by a mugger!

He does say he wants drops or bullhorns. A standard Sirrus has neither

Ah right that’s interesting! Something really has to be done to cut down on bike theft.

 

[tinywheels]

Ah right that’s interesting! Something really has to be done to cut down on bike theft.

perhaps a shoot to kill policy!

 

[daneferrari]

Second hand Genesis Equilibrium in small? No need to only buy SH through a shop, a decent seller would be happy for you to sit on a bike for size at the very least, and should allow a test ride If you look after a bike, there really aren’t that many things to go wrong

Not sure I’d want a single speed to ride around Richmond Park either but then I’m not 24 and 60kg
Genesis have single speed Flyer. Or for a London Icon, look for a used Condor Pista SS
Eg https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/304908745807?hash=item46fdfa3c4f:gewAAOSwp4RkM8Jq&amdata=enc:AQAIAAAAwOQwyNJmleUy/E5I82K32MdT8xUXk2blciOPs80M3rp/HGybL2he3QHLVvQEN+SCZ5otjDyy4SHydjl+b1P4KhWP/HE/EN1HTT7J2QDHkziYAKfHOYVI0oA+G4Mic+DNTGsPZY/ghmouq7d0+0zwBhtdE8gGx+pF4JNFy+h/HxETIay7+UGifdRCmpdx6HiOg5toPdSX+gO15UZwkAdklUAeJpWcB8Mw7AWU6Z8LF69iwtAYNFvwwsLyNiWwN1rZfw==|tkp:Bk9SR57ovcT5YQ

Locking up any bike in London is unfortunately a risk but can be mitigated by using two high quality locks of different types but they’ll add weight. Consider a pannier rack and rack bag to carry (big locks can be awkward on small frames). Or as the poster above suggests, there’s always Brompton which reduces that risk further but may not be your cup of tea

Can you tell me where I can find another one like this?
Ebay doesn't deliver bikes to my city

 

[vickster]

Can you tell me where I can find another one like this?
Ebay doesn't deliver bikes to my city

Which bike? Which city? Go collect a bike? Many are collection only on eBay.

This thread is about bikes for London hence linking a bike in London

 

[daneferrari]

Which bike? Which city? Go collect a bike? Many are collection only on eBay.

This thread is about bikes for London hence linking a bike in London

Oh, I'm so sorry.
I need a bike in Rome, I'll try to look for other threads...

 

[vickster]

Oh, I'm so sorry.
I need a bike in Rome, I'll try to look for other threads...

Is there eBay in Italy? or Facebook marketplace? Or any other site where used bikes are sold (we have Gumtree in UK which is a subsidiary of eBay but pure selling rather than auction and no fees)