Sit up and beg, step through frame with millions of gears?

[Sara_H]

Have I ever mentioned I live at the top of a massive hill?

Anyway, under normal circumstances I ride a Specialized Myka Elite. Has a million gears, which I find I need to get up the hill, and hydraulic discs, which I find are fabulous going down the hill!

Just recently, following my near death experience, I've been riding a Whoosh Sant Ana electric bike - plan is to use it til I feel that I'm strong enough to ride the hills unassisted again.

Thing is, I've fallen in love with the step through fram and sit up and beg positioning. I'm thinking I really want that style of bike when I go back to unpowered cycling, but all those city type vintage style bikes are insufficient in the gearing department for my needs.

I could probably manage without the disc brakes, bit would rather not.

Anyone seen anything that meets my needs?

 

[vickster]

Trek 7.x step through?

 

[tyred]

You should be able to make the gearing on a three speed low enough to meet your needs.

Or if you are mechanically minded, build a lightweight sit up and beg out of an old steel racing frame by converting it to north road bars.

 

[beatlejuice]

I want something like this. Keep us posted on what you come up with.

 

[GrasB]

How much have you got to spend? For the gears I'd suggest you look at the NuVinci N360... it's only got one gear but it's variable ratio. When my OH's rear hub exploded on her town bike I built up a rear wheel based on one. Her verdict was a slow progression:
...... ... ... ... ... ...

 

[Sara_H]

You should be able to make the gearing on a three speed low enough to meet your needs.

Or if you are mechanically minded, build a lightweight sit up and beg out of an old steel racing frame by converting it to north road bars.

Well, I've got an old Raleigh Caprice that has a three speed sturmey archer on it, but it unfortunately means walking uphill. Someone (it may have been you Tyred) suggested a larger sprocket, but I didn't get round to it, to be honest, I don't think it would be enough, given that under normal circumstances, I' puffing up the hil in my mountain bikes granny ring.

It's a beautiful bike, really pretty and it's along the lines of what I want, but with more oomph for the hill.

I know I'm a bit sad, but I'd love a vintage styled on, but with the mountain bike gears.

 

[tyred]

Well, I've got an old Raleigh Caprice that has a three speed sturmey archer on it, but it unfortunately means walking uphill. Someone (it may have been you Tyred) suggested a larger sprocket, but I didn't get round to it, to be honest, I don't think it would be enough, given that under normal circumstances, I' puffing up the hil in my mountain bikes granny ring.

It's a beautiful bike, really pretty and it's along the lines of what I want, but with more oomph for the hill.

I know I'm a bit sad, but I'd love a vintage styled on, but with the mountain bike gears.

I'd be inclined to give it a go if you really like your Cparice. 23 and 24 tooth sprockets are available if you look and will give a low gear of 37 - 38" on a 26" wheel with a 46t chainring. That's quite low gearing and the sprocket and new chain should cost you less than a tenner so I would consider it worth a try.

Or build your own using an old racing/touring frame built in "roadster" trim with something like 28/44 tooth double chainring, 14-24 6 speed block, north road bars, rubber block pedals, a rack and a hockey stick chain guard.

 

[mr messy]

something like this maybe.....

http://www.decathlon.co.uk/elops-3-plum-id_8245104.html

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/..._productId_925249_langId_-1_categoryId_165534

 

[Sara_H]

something like this maybe.....

http://www.decathlon.co.uk/elops-3-plum-id_8245104.html

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/..._productId_925249_langId_-1_categoryId_165534

Those are both lovely looking bikes, but I think I'd have the same problem with the gears.

 

[vickster]

Any good?

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/trek/t10-2011-womens-hybrid-bike-ec001535

 

[Chris Norton]

Find your local LBS, go in, tell them what you want. If they want your business it will happen. My wife's exactly the same. SO........

Trek FX 7.2 with step through frame http://www.trekbikes.com/uk/en/bikes/town/recreation/fx/7_2_fx_wsd/#
And now what the LBS did for it.

Adjustable stem as vertical as it can go, nice set of chrome handlebars like http://bricklanebikes.co.uk/posts/380

Quite a lot of new cabling etc but my wife loves it. Only problem has been the saddle, sorted now though.

Your LBS should be happy to do something like that. If not, find another.

 

[buggi]

i really love the sit up and beg bikes too. i want a pashley but my friend put this on my facebook today. not sure how good the gearing is but the price is nice

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/290903609130?item=290903609130

 

[Pat "5mph"]

i really love the sit up and beg bikes too. i want a pashley but my friend put this on my facebook today. not sure how good the gearing is but the price is nice

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/290903609130?item=290903609130

Buggy, you're better off with the Pashley, full enclosed chainguard, no cleaning chains every day in winter.

 

[buggi]

i need a pashley anyway pat, the viking ain't big enough for my looooong legs lol

 

[Pat "5mph"]

i need a pashley anyway pat, the viking ain't big enough for my looooong legs lol

Ohhhh, you got looong legs?
Hate you!!