First time buyer advice...

[SavageHoutkop]

Oh and Keep Pedalling in the Northern Quarter too (I'm sure I'll come up with even more soon )
We have Bromptons in the household and a Workcycles Fr8, both of which are a bit peculiar in their needs, so I've only tended to go to shops which can assist with those. Withington Cycles doesn't actually do those but we needed to pop in one day for something and the guy was very friendly and helpful. Bicycle Doctor is one of the few shops I trust to fix the Brompton properly (I suspect Ken Foster's is also OK but we haven't tried) - and Ken Fosters also helped me out in a pickle one day. Keep Pedalling sorted out my front dynamo again for the Brompton.

 

[SavageHoutkop]

I'm no expert on 'normal' bikes but would this sort of thing work (asking the others on the thread really!) http://www.keeppedalling.co.uk/bike-brands/bobbin-bikes/brownie/ ?

 

[Bonefish Blues]

I'm no expert on 'normal' bikes but would this sort of thing work (asking the others on the thread really!) http://www.keeppedalling.co.uk/bike-brands/bobbin-bikes/brownie/ ?

It's interesting you link that model as this is a very similar thread I've contributed to on another Forum and that bike was suggested for a lady who definitely wanted the trad look, which in turn prompted me to unearth the Kona I listed earlier, which I think takes the look and updates it with disc brakes, and represents a compelling proposition at low 400s.

 

[licklelilli]

Oh and Keep Pedalling in the Northern Quarter too (I'm sure I'll come up with even more soon )
We have Bromptons in the household and a Workcycles Fr8, both of which are a bit peculiar in their needs, so I've only tended to go to shops which can assist with those. Withington Cycles doesn't actually do those but we needed to pop in one day for something and the guy was very friendly and helpful. Bicycle Doctor is one of the few shops I trust to fix the Brompton properly (I suspect Ken Foster's is also OK but we haven't tried) - and Ken Fosters also helped me out in a pickle one day. Keep Pedalling sorted out my front dynamo again for the Brompton.

I popped into Keep Pedalling after work yesterday and found the help I was after. The lady in the shop was lovely and gave me lots of food for thought. She spent lots of time not just rattling off the features (like they would mean anything to me) but explaining why they may benefit me and also their drawbacks. They had a lot of womens cycles made up so I could see what she was talking about and I am popping in on Saturday morning to test ride a few (I just didn't have enough time yesterday). But I left the shop confident that I will find what I'm after on Sat and that I have found a shop that will happily answer any questions I may have without making me feel like I'm an idiot for not knowing in the first place. Couldn't recommend Keep Pedalling enough at this stage.

I'm no expert on 'normal' bikes but would this sort of thing work (asking the others on the thread really!) http://www.keeppedalling.co.uk/bike-brands/bobbin-bikes/brownie/ ?

Currently this is the front runner. I love the look of the raspberry one and have been told that although the steel frame may make it a little heavier it can feel like a nicer ride than aluminium and also the Raleigh I test rode did not have springs on the seat, this does and they come in a 40cm frame which should be a good size for me. This is first on the list for a test ride on Sat

 

[jonny jeez]

The test ride I did was my actual commute from whalley range into the city centre and the roads really were awful and I thought they felt bad in a car! The dutch style isn't an absolute requirement, I just simply like that look. But to be honest I'm happy to buy a different style as when it comes down to it I don't really care what it looks like as long as it does the job well

Could you not buy the bike you want and change the route to a smoother road.

Be a shame to buy something that didn't make you smile when you ride it.

 

[Nibor]

Cycle Republic and Halfords are the same company. I would have suggested Edinburgh Bicycle Co-op but I understand they've closed their Manchester store at the end of its lease last month. There must still be a good local bike shop in Manchester, surely?

Harry Halls are still going stong

 

[Nibor]

Yeah I'm aware they're the same company but I don't like to tar the bad service of a particular shop over the whole company. So I just tried a different store. There is another specialised bike shop in NQ that I may try. I just felt a little intimidated by the "serious specialised" bike shop when I clearly haven't a clue so thought I'd go more run of the mill Halfords.

Keep pedaling are OK they have some nice Bobbins which might suit bt they are quirte high end stuff.

Oops too late.

 

[Goggs]

Keep pedaling are OK they have some nice Bobbins which might suit bt they are quirte high end stuff.

Oops too late.

In a low-end kinda way.

 

[Nibor]

In a low-end kinda way.

? I Meant in relation to the OPs requirements as most of their stuff is Surly etc which is quite expensive but not Top end Carbon type of expensive

 

[Goggs]

Yeah, I know. What I'm meaning is that the stuff seems expensive but not actually very good. Not all of it anyway.

 

[Bonefish Blues]

OP, re 40cm being your size, I don't know these bikes, buit another retailer has a size chart that might be useful:

http://bellsbicycles.co.uk/blogs/news/35964417-which-bobbin

 

[SavageHoutkop]

Harry Halls are still going stong

I'd not recommend them for a woman, especially one wanting a 'normal' bike.
They may have changed, but I've not been in years, and they are the most conveniently located for me.

 

[Nibor]

@licklelilli spotted on Ebay http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Bobbin-Brownie-Blueberry-/302062580342?clk_rvr_id=1090397709054&rmvSB=true

 

[licklelilli]

Could you not buy the bike you want and change the route to a smoother road.

Be a shame to buy something that didn't make you smile when you ride it.

Well yes I can work out which is the nicest route to work with the marginally better road but it remains that I don't want a bike that feels shoot to ride because it looks good.

Keep pedaling are OK they have some nice Bobbins which might suit bt they are quirte high end stuff.

Oops too late.

The Bobbin is what I was interested in and the people in there were really helpful which is what I was looking for.

@licklelilli spotted on Ebay http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Bobbin-Brownie-Blueberry-/302062580342?clk_rvr_id=1090397709054&rmvSB=true

I saw this but as ever the problem I found when buying used, there weren't many of my size available.

I did the test ride and found the Bobbin Brownie to be far more comfortable. I have now been commuting on it two weeks and I absolutely love it. I checked the Internet and couldn't find any lower the £374. I got the one I wanted all set up for me with a year free servicing for £335 from keep pedalling. Couldn't be happier

 

[Nibor]

Glad your happy enjoy your bike