OP
OP
Sara_H
Guru
Thats a good offer! What size is it? I'm only 5'4". I had a 17" Sonoran before, which I only just fitted on.
Sit up and beg, step through frame with millions of gears?
- Thread starter Sara_H
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Thats a good offer! What size is it? I'm only 5'4". I had a 17" Sonoran before, which I only just fitted on.
Supersuperleeds
Legendary Member
- Location
- Leicester
I can't see any sizing on it, our lass is 5' 8", the seat could go roughly 3" lower, so the sizing is probably to big for you. You are still welcome to ride it still, at least you will get to see if the gearing and sitting position are okay.
Per the link there are two sizes 17" and 19"
Supersuperleeds
Legendary Member
- Location
- Leicester
Just measured it, it is 19"
OP
OP
Sara_H
Guru
Probably too big for me then, but I just found out a LBS stock Dawes, so I may pop out to have a look tomorrow.
Supersuperleeds
Legendary Member
- Location
- Leicester
MacB
Lover of things that come in 3's
- Location
- Farnborough, Hampshire
True I was just sharing my own self justification process, as in I was going to buy XYZ therefore buying the Rohloff replaces that so it only cost me......yeah, I know, self delusional bullshit, but it works for me.
The Nuvinci is one I haven't had a go on yet but the concept does appeal just seems to depend on who you listen to as to whether the losses on a CVT transmission are too much to bear. Personally I'd be doubtful as I've also been reliably informed that Rohloff, Alfine, SRAM and even Sturmey Archer can all be akin to pedalling through treacle...as can using M+ tyres, mudguards, a rack or panniers.
It's the range that they all suffer from, getting low can be done and if you're not really heavy or a masher probably won't give any hub problems. But getting low means losing at the top end and possibly too much especially on a multi use bike. As an all round masher we've found the Alfine 8 speed pretty hard to beat. Two of my sons have abused them mercilessly and they have held up really well. The other hub gears don't seem to offer enough more to be worth the additional expense bar the Rohloff...but then the additional expense on that is enough to make the Alfine 8 look even more attractive. Though the Pinion 18 could be a game changer, at least for offroad.
Cyclist33
Guest
- Location
- Warrington
My sister got the ladies giant escape 3. Super smooth and pretty nippy. No discs but only 300 quid.
Bottom gear iz 32 teeth on the back and 28 up front. To be honest its the gearing that matters and you could change that yourself for less than the cost of a bike!
Bottom gear iz 32 teeth on the back and 28 up front. To be honest its the gearing that matters and you could change that yourself for less than the cost of a bike!
I've been looking for a similar solution for my wife, the step through and disc is difficult to find as the frame is weaker for the disc application.
This is close for the low gears and reasonably step through
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/jamis/trail-x2-femme-2013-womens-mountain-bike-ec041482
If you don't actually need an MTB then the Specialized Ariel Sport Disc Step Through, for £500 seems to be the best option.
http://www.specialized.co.uk/gb/gb/bikes/multi-use/ariel/arielsportdiscstepthrough
You would need to have the gears changed to 44/32/22 front and 11-34 rear for the low gearing and the bars to North Road for that upright experience.
Cyclist33
Guest
- Location
- Warrington
"the step through and disc is difficult to find as the frame is weaker for the disc application."
lol, these bikes arent made of candyfloss. the reason its harder to find is that generally women arent conned so easily as men therefore there is less profitability sticking an unnecessarily strong brake on a ladies bike because you cant market it so easily.
lol, these bikes arent made of candyfloss. the reason its harder to find is that generally women arent conned so easily as men therefore there is less profitability sticking an unnecessarily strong brake on a ladies bike because you cant market it so easily.
OP
OP
Sara_H
Guru
I've looked at the Ariel previously, though it has a slightly drop bar (not quite a step through) it still has a slightly lean forward geometry.
I have real problems with balance (nerve damage left over from a herniated disc years ago) and find I'm much more stable when signalling and looking ove my shoulder on the electric bike which is really upright. And I just feel more comfortable.
I really like the Dawes bike. I think I'll go and sit on one this morning (if they have one in stock at the LBS). OH isn't that enamoured by the idea, he hates side pull brakes with a vengence, so looks like I'll be learning to adjust them myself!
shouldbeinbed
Rollin' along
- Location
- Manchester way
I agree, lots of features are marketed as necessary when not. Though I like hydraulic discs better especially in the wet and they don't wear rims or mind a slightly distorted wheel.
However why are step through disc bikes difficult to find?
Try riding downhill mountain biking with a true step through disc frame and see how long it lasts!
OP
OP
Sara_H
Guru
I really prefer the hydraulic discs too. One of the hills in my way to work is very steep, and I can ride down it much more confidently on the mountain bike, especially when its wet.
On the other hand, the more I think about it, the more I like the idea of going back to basics. I keep threatening to do a bike maintenance course, but the course near to where I live doesn't cover hydraulic discs, shock absorbers etc. Having a simpler bike would mean I could do more myself.
