Bike for Mum?

[scubadude]

Advice sort, need to get my Mum (in her 60's) a bike, she had a 3-speed situp-and-beg job in London but thats not going to cut it on the hills here in Dorset.... however even the most basic derailleur setup baffles her ("Why can't a change gear at the lights?") so a hub gear is looking necessary.

I've not got much experience with the new 5 & 7 speed hubs, is the low end on these any lower than the old SA 3 speeds?

My other thought was to fit a smaller chainring, in which case would a SA take the increased torque and survive?

Thoughts and reccomendations welcome, budget is an issue but I'm open to ideas :-)

[anonymous-user]

Pashley do some nice ones although a little heavy and expensive with Sturmey 5 speeds like below as well as the traditional shoppers.

http://www.pashley.co.uk/products/provence.html

If you want lighter though I'd be looking at some kind of hybrid with an alfine (11 speed) or nexus (8 speed).

I think trek do one called a Soho which is more sporty than say a Ridgeback Avendia or the equivalent Pashely.

[Watchman]

http://www.specializedconceptstore.co.uk/Detaig/12...

Not cheap mind.

[Mr Gear]

Electric assisted bike? As she gets older she'll appreciate the assistance more and more. Choose carefully though - there is a lot of st out there at the budget end of the market.

Too much?
http://www.trekbikes.com/uk/en/collections/electri...

ETA not many electric bikes will accommodate hub-gears, but front-motor bikes exist and will allow hub gears.

Edited by Mr Gear on Monday 5th December 13:01

[Gooby]

Where is dorset is she? A Perfect "promenade" bike is one of the beach cruisers. Easy riding position, hub gears big comfy saddle, really cool paint job. Guards over the chain etc. Perfect ladies bike!

[Roman]

Kona Dr Good sounds perfect & on offer here:
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/kona/dr-good-h...

Or Belt Drive Norco:
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/norco/ceres-20...

[Watchman]

Roman said:

Kona Dr Good sounds perfect & on offer here:
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/kona/dr-good-h...

Or Belt Drive Norco:
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/norco/ceres-20...

As good as these are (better than the more relaxed types the rest of us have quoted), they're not very "Mum-like".

[Roman]

Watchman said:

Roman said:

Kona Dr Good sounds perfect & on offer here:
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/kona/dr-good-h...

Or Belt Drive Norco:
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/norco/ceres-20...

As good as these are (better than the more relaxed types the rest of us have quoted), they're not very "Mum-like".

Yes the Viva Bellisimo looks more 'Mumsy' but like the others it's going to be rubbish up hills!
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/viva/bellissim...

The Kona & Norco are Unisex, lighter and still offer relatively upright riding positions that women tend to prefer.

I think a good light 'womens' hybrid like a Specialized Vita, Boardman Fi, Trek WSD etc with derailleur gears would be best personally. I can't think of any lightweight hub geared hybrid in 'girly' colours - maybe just stick a white or pink saddle & grips on?

[Watchman]

Roman said:

Yes the Viva Bellisimo looks more 'Mumsy' but like the others it's going to be rubbish up hills!
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/viva/bellissim...

The Kona & Norco are Unisex, lighter and still offer relatively upright riding positions that women tend to prefer.

I think a good light 'womens' hybrid like a Specialized Vita, Boardman Fi, Trek WSD etc with derailleur gears would be best personally. I can't think of any lightweight hub geared hybrid in 'girly' colours - maybe just stick a white or pink saddle & grips on?

Yes - I help with bike maintenance for local friends and I'm sorting the brakes out on a bike for a 4yo girl which is white, pink and purple right now.

I agree with everything you say but also understand why hub gears are easier for some people to get their heads around.

Is it bad to ask for pics of Mum so we can offer better targetted suggestions?

[scubadude]

Watchman said:

Is it bad to ask for pics of Mum so we can offer better targetted suggestions?

pervert :-)

Thanks for advice all, the bike will need to have "lock-up-in-town potential" so many are too expensive to consider leaving unattended without cosmetic dressing down.

I think a hybrid will be required rather than a girly step-through due to the hills (there is a reason why diamond frames should be diamonds!)

Heading to LBS this-afternoon to look at a couple of suggestions and what offerings they may have.

[XitUp]

http://www.hotlines-uk.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=623...

[matt-ITR]

Shimano Nexus, SRAM Spectre or Shimano Alfine are all hub-geared bikes that should fit the bill.
Ridgeback used to do a good commuter style MTB with a nexus hub and slick tyres. I'm sure most companies will have something in the line-up.