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

[aoj]

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.

I too have a hardtail mountain bike, they are versatile, they can ride off road, they can tour, this is where the low gearing helps for me and my OH too. I even did a century ride on mine. They would not make good road racers though!
Do you ride the mountain bike offroad? If not maybe the Dutch type bike is what you are looking for.
I also like the "Dutch" type bike after a visit to the Netherlands last year.
I now have a a Pashley Paramount with North Road bars and the ding dong bell, very popular with the pedestrians and always gets a smile!

I do regular 30 + miles rides ok, but if I want to do big hills it is not really ideal as the 5 speed hub gearing is too high for me and the drum brakes although good in the wet are not as good as a disc for coming down big hills.
They do a version called the Penny for women. http://www.pashley.co.uk/products/penny.html
For a true Step through/Dutch type bike with MTB low gears for a hub drive you are probably looking at a Rohloff or have the gearing changed to MTB gearing for derailleurs.
To have the disc brakes also?
In the Netherlands you don't need any more than the Sturmey 3 speed hub, 1st and 2nd are for the windy days or "Dutch hills". Consequently they do not have the need for disc brakes, I didn't see any bikes with them while there. Someone like KTM must do them for the European trekking bike market where hills are expected.

 

[Sara_H]

I too have a hardtail mountain bike, they are versatile, they can ride off road, they can tour, this is where the low gearing helps for me and my OH too. I even did a century ride on mine. They would not make good road racers though!
Do you ride the mountain bike offroad? If not maybe the Dutch type bike is what you are looking for.
I also like the "Dutch" type bike after a visit to the Netherlands last year.
I now have a a Pashley Paramount with North Road bars and the ding dong bell, very popular with the pedestrians and always gets a smile!
View attachment 25527
I do regular 30 + miles rides ok, but if I want to do big hills it is not really ideal as the 5 speed hub gearing is too high for me and the drum brakes although good in the wet are not as good as a disc for coming down big hills.
They do a version called the Penny for women. http://www.pashley.co.uk/products/penny.html
For a true Step through/Dutch type bike with MTB low gears for a hub drive you are probably looking at a Rohloff or have the gearing changed to MTB gearing for derailleurs.
To have the disc brakes also?
In the Netherlands you don't need any more than the Sturmey 3 speed hub, 1st and 2nd are for the windy days or "Dutch hills". Consequently they do not have the need for disc brakes, I didn't see any bikes with them while there. Someone like KTM must do them for the European trekking bike market where hills are expected.

No, I don't go off road at all. We origionally bought it with a plan to take up moutain bikeing, but I soon discovered I was a wuss and prefer to stick to trails. I ended up putting slicks and a rack on it. I have used it for touring, but I think for my purposes its a bit overkill and the geometry isn't right.
I think I'd be more comfortable with something more upright.
I really like the Dawes Mojave mentioned above, but none of the bike shops local to me stock it, and I'm a bit reluctant to purchase on line without trying it first.

 

[aoj]

No, I don't go off road at all. We origionally bought it with a plan to take up moutain bikeing, but I soon discovered I was a wuss and prefer to stick to trails. I ended up putting slicks and a rack on it. I have used it for touring, but I think for my purposes its a bit overkill and the geometry isn't right.
I think I'd be more comfortable with something more upright.
I really like the Dawes Mojave mentioned above, but none of the bike shops local to me stock it, and I'm a bit reluctant to purchase on line without trying it first.

Dawes do other similar bikes, they have test ride button on the webpage http://www.dawescycles.com/c-164-citytrekking.aspx .

You may find in a dealer somewhere with one of the other similar bikes. Good luck with your search.

 

[GrasB]

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.

Back to basics?... Try this setup for size (Ignore the frame for a second & look at everything else):

SA 90mm Front drum brake & 3w dynohub (powering B+M lights with stand lights for good day & night lighting without need to worry about batteries).
SA 70mm rear drum & 8sp rear hub
With the 39t front chainring gives the rider a 9.2-29.9mph at 100rpm (31"-100" gear range). Go for a 28t chainring on & you have 6.6-21.5mph at 100rpm which should be fine for a typical utility cyclist.

That 90mm front drum isn't the most powerful in all out stopping terms but can keep the speeds down on steep prolonged descents. The straight chain line without any fuss & a single tensioner works well too.