Please help me focus my bike search!

Shopping for a new bike ... and the possibilities are dizzying.

So, I've mentioned elsewhere that I wasn't able to bring a bike with me when we moved to London. Well, the daffodils are pushing up and I think I've found someone to take care of the dog for a day a week, which means I might be able to carve out an afternoon a week to ride a bike! But I don't have one ....

But before I run out and plunk down money on that dreamy Pashley I saw in the window, I need to be practical. Would I be limiting myself if I want to do a different kind of riding while we are here? Maybe I should be looking at a hybrid, or a mixte?

We are committed to being here for at least 2+ years. Probably not more than 4, as we feel strongly that we want NBaby to go to school in the US. Right now the kind of riding I think I can expect to do would be leisurely, 5-10 mile rides, with NBaby either in a trailer or in a child seat. I'm leaning towards a child seat because a) a trailer might be tough to maneuver in tight spaces, like at the market, and b) there are a few busy streets we can't avoid, and I worry that a trailer might not be visible to drivers. And a Pashley is attractive because it's heavy, stable, and yes, I'm a sucker for those classic lines. And once I'm no longer porting NBaby everywhere with me, it will make a great errand bike.

Other considerations: we have no garage. Just 5 really tall steps up to our front door, or about a dozen (haven't counted) down a weird, twisty, steep set of steps down our sidewalk access well. So while a heavier bike like the Pashley might be a good idea if I'm going to put a child seat on it, I still need to be able to lift it in and out of the house. Also, there is a hill nearby that I might want to ascend from time to time. It's not terribly steep, but it's about 1/4 mile long. But the reward is a cute little village and high street that has nice bakeries and cafes. Anyway I'm not sure if the Pashley is geared for it. Otherwise cycling around here seems to be pretty much flat. I asked about a test ride at the shop today and they said they don't do test rides anymore because they've had too many bikes stolen. Sad. The guy at the shop actually suggested I test ride elsewhere and then come back to buy from them because they have the best prices. Can you believe it? I told him straight up I didn't think that would be fair to the other shop.

I don't see a lot of people around here on cruisers or town bikes. I see a lot of road bikes and hybrids. But I would bet that most of the cyclists I see are commuters or students. I haven't seen many people at all with a child seat or trailer.

Am I totally off the mark with my thinking? Would I be better served to be looking at a hybrid or mixte?

yes, pashleys are cool, but like you said, they are heavy and most people around you are riding lighter bikes!

I really like how this woman has set up her Velo Orange Mixte. Eventually I would love to have a mixte for commuting & general urban riding. I don't know what they weigh, or if they are available in your country but this does show how versatile a mixte can be.

I love the look of mixtes, but have never ridden one myself. Have seen a few on the street but not in a bike shop yet.

Had a nice visit to another bike shop this afternoon. Salesman had his 2 cents on trailers vs. child seats, and tried to plug a Specialized bike with an aluminum frame and carbon fork that was priced to move. This shop at least had a few different bikes that I could potentially take for test rides, but I will have to wait until a day when I have someone to keep an eye on NBaby.

Dawes was also mentioned. I do like the idea of buying an English bike. Preferably one that is built in England, I will need to do a little more research on Dawes.

Little update -- I've done a ton of research and finally scheduled to do some test riding on Friday!

I'm going to ride a Pashley Princess Sovereign and a Bobbin Bramble.

The Pashley looks like it has nicer components overall, but the Bramble is a bit lighter and might be geared a bit better for hills. I'll just have to see how they feel.

I looked at the Dawes Mixte but it seems that they don't make a frame small enough for me. Bobbin makes some small mixtes but I really want a bike with a chain guard. I don't want to bother with special cycling clothes these days.

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Originally Posted by NbyNW

Little update -- I've done a ton of research and finally scheduled to do some test riding on Friday!

I'm going to ride a Pashley Princess Sovereign and a Bobbin Bramble.

The Pashley looks like it has nicer components overall, but the Bramble is a bit lighter and might be geared a bit better for hills. I'll just have to see how they feel.

I looked at the Dawes Mixte but it seems that they don't make a frame small enough for me. Bobbin makes some small mixtes but I really want a bike with a chain guard. I don't want to bother with special cycling clothes these days.

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How did it go? Those look like beautiful bikes!

It was an interesting test ride. The Pashley is HEAVY! It really is a beautiful bike. It's such a different sensation to be on a bike so heavy. I'm at the low end of the height recommended for their smallest bike, so the bike did feel a little large for me. Granted, I think the tech could have spent a little more time with me to adjust the fit, particularly for height of the handlebars. I felt a bit twitchy starting and stopping, partly due to the bike and partly due to some nerves -- haven't ridden much at all this last couple of years, and it felt strange to be so upright. However, once I got moving the ride was super smooth and stable, even on cobblestone. I also practiced carrying it up and down a small flight of stairs. Difficult, but not impossible if I used good body mechanics. One area where the weight was a definite plus: it was a very gusty day, and there was no way the wind could blow me off this bike! I don't have a lot of balance and core strength right now, so the stability was a blessing.

The Bobbin Bramble was much lighter and I also liked the fit better. And, it was much lighter -- I actually did lose my balance when I got hit by a gust of wind. I'm not as upright and high up as on the Pashley, but my posture is relaxed enough that it's forgiving of my lack of core strength. The componentry is not as nice is what is on the Pashley, but all that can be upgraded at some point. I wasn't crazy about the particular thumb shifter that was on the bike, and would definitely put a different saddle on it. Also, the shop only had the 2012 model and I would definitely want the 2013, which comes with a matching rear rack. Guy in the shop advised me to call their central sales office to ask when they might be stocking the 2013. If I can't get a good answer, there might be another shop in town carrying it. If I can find the 2013, I think my search will be over!

Just for kicks, today I went to a shop specializing in Dutch bikes. I've heard great things about Gazelles and wanted to have a look. Well, they are beautiful bikes, but they didn't have anything in my size. Still I'm glad I went -- it's interesting to see how another culture is approaching bike design. I looked at a beautiful bike that would make a wonderful commuter, if only I had a commute. Lights and rack included, and all coordinated as a whole. This is a bike that I would only ride if I had a guarantee of secure bike parking!

I've never tried bikes that upright and that heavy...even though all of my bikes don't have drop down handlebars and are more upright but still leaning over/forward abit.

For certain I know I would have problems carrying the Pashley up stairs! Let us know how a Gazelle feels.

I honestly want/need light bike.

I wasn't able to test ride a Gazelle since he did not have anything in my size. The one he showed me had a rear derailleur and I was able to lift it. Then he showed me another with a hub gear and a front hub dynamo -- that was more similar in weight to the Pashley.

I doubt he will import anything small enough for me to test ride, as he had limited floor space. Unless I pay for it up front, which I'm not prepared to do.