Bikes with upright riding position?

[huangxq2]

Good evening, all.

I am looking for a bike riding for fun, mostly riding with family. I have a budget of £500.

I am male, and prefer upright riding position due to my back problem. Also prefer the bike to be lightweight, simple, and not require much maintenance.

Which bikes will suit my requirements (brand and model, please)?

Thanks.

 

[Keith Oates]

There are quite a few manufactures that make bikes within your budget but I would suggest to look at the Giant web site as a starter and see if the're any there that you like.
You could also visit any bike shops local to you and check out what they have.

 

[screenman]

You would need a comfortable saddle to really enjoy an upright.Or padded shorts of course.

 

[mick1836]

I've always like the look of the cycles that Dutch people ride, not designed to win the Tour de France but very upright and comfortable looking.

 

[Yorksman]

I have a similar problem with my back. Very roughly, road racing bikes have the greatest forward lean whilst city and touring bikes have the most upright position. Trekking and MTBs are sort of inbetweens but can be altered either way to some extent by raising/lowering the saddle and handlebars.

You need to have a correct seat position and that is governed by your inside leg measurement. Everything else flows from that. If your bike is too long, it will make you lean forward even if you have ape hanger handlebars.

I tend to use butterfly handlebars and adjustable stems and for most rides. These allow me to not only control the height of the bars but also how far I have to reach. You can buy butterfly handlebars for £20 - £25 and an adjustable stem for about the same price so you don't need to buy the expensive bikes that tend to have them fitted like the Dawes Karakum below, you can buy a cheaper one a swap the bars and stem.

You can alter bar height and reach to suit:

Also, have a look at dutch bike bits. Sit up bikes are very popular as loads of people ride with shopping baskets on the front. You can customise your own bike with parts from here: http://www.dutchbikebits.com/

Or buy completed bikes from here: http://www.dutchbike.co.uk/Modern.htm

 

[Douggie954]

I have a Cube travel bike. Easy to use and maintain and upright.

 

[screenman]

My back after years of a trapped nerve is more comfortable stretched out.

 

[LordGrover]

In another topic I posted this, may be of interest?

Thanks all and Ganymede in particular - not seen that. Should be useful.

For better or worse, I've decided that everyone on this isle is wrong and the cloggies have it right. After much research and absolutely zero experience I'm going for a Dutch bike, just in time for the bad weather - what better way to introduce oneself to the delights of cycling for transport?
If you're not familiar with the rationale behind the Dutch Bike thing, a brief read here may help: Be Dutch!

Anyway - does anyone here have any experience or knowledge of Dutch bikes please?

I'm keen to be as maintenance free as possible while still being reliable and comfortable. Pretty much all the models I'm interested in have front and rear roller brakes, dynamo hubs & lights, mudguards, chain and skirt guards, luggage racks, kick stands, locks, pedals, etc so all bases are covered.

I've narrowed my choices to:

Cortina U1 (3 speed)

Batavus Rumba

Gazelle Orange C7

Gazelle Chamonix C7

 

[Drago]

Trek Soho. As low maintenance as they come. Slightly out of budget, but you may find a 2013 model for sale within budget.

 

[Yorksman]

Just to follow on from LordGrover's mention of dutch bikes, I found this very useful site about different bikes and rider posture:

http://www.ergotec.de/en/01_haltung.php#slide-1

 

[LordGrover]

Just to follow on from LordGrover's mention of dutch bikes, I found this very useful site about different bikes and rider posture:

http://www.ergotec.de/en/01_haltung.php#slide-1

Nice find. Thanks.

 

[Yorksman]

There are some more traditional and cofort bikes whch may be of interest here:

http://www.bikes2udirect.com/browse/leisure_bikes/traditional_bikes.html

http://www.bikes2udirect.com/browse/leisure_bikes/comfort_bikes.html

 

[mick1836]

How about getting a set of these handlebars?

 

[summerdays]

Just to follow on from LordGrover's mention of dutch bikes, I found this very useful site about different bikes and rider posture:

http://www.ergotec.de/en/01_haltung.php#slide-1

I've just been reading through all the pages from the link, lots of interesting information. Thanks