sit up and beg bikes

tarpitman

hello

after 15 years of riding in london on hybrids, track & road bikes, .. think its about time i should try a bike with a 'sit up and beg' or upright position. went to copenhagen last year for the first time and fell completely in love with the laid back vibes. with riding seemingly getting more and more dangerous and aggressive in london. i just want something a bit less aggressive if that makes sense ? i just want to take my time.

i know i could get mudguards, change handlebar positions, etc but id rather just get a new bike through c2w (£1k budget) as i still love riding each type for their own reasons and would like the option to choose my steed according to how i feel that day. my commute varies between 6-10 miles each way.

ideally would like it a bit lighter than average but also maintaining the hub gear, racks for groceries, sit up position.

was looking at the batavus blockbuster / gazelle / work cycles but after calling bikefix, they said suggested i should get a fahrradmanufaktur t100 hs11 nexus, but from looking at the geometry i cant help but think it has more of a hybrid position than upright. was going to go down there this afternoon but wondered if anyone had any ideas or suggestions, other places I can try .. in london

thanks in advance !

cookeeemonster

There are definatley places in london that do that type of bike, Velorution - http://www.velorution.com/ ? Maybe google 'dutch bike, london' as that's the generic name they go by it seems.

Good luck!

The Rookie

I have access to a traditional Indian sit up and beg bike when I'm in India, very relaxing for the first few minutes but then temptation creeps in and........

arthur_scrimshaw

You might like to join this group if your on facebook?

https://www.facebook.com/groups/slowbic ... tif_t=like

andrewc3142

For the genuine article: http://www.dutchbike.co.uk/

Click on dealers and there are several in London.

marcusjb

I love my sit up and beg bike:



Mainly used for going to the shops locally (a round trip of 3-4km), but summertime commutes into town are common (30km round trip), pub/night out trips and even a 100km ride on it.

This is a Japanese city bike from Noah at Mamachari Bikes - http://mamachari.co.uk/ - nice man and usually has a decent selection of second hand Japanese bikes at reasonable prices.

Of all the bikes I own, this is the one that puts the biggest smile on my face - it is a joy to ride and everything riding a bike should be - fun! It's only a single speed this particular one, so hills are fun (especially as it weighs 20kg). If I rode it much further, I'd consider getting a three-speed one.

It lives outside in all weather and just works - there's nothing to go wrong. Fantastic bike!

alan_sherman

I was in Fitzrovia bikes yesterday. They have some second hand in stock for less than £500. Maybe worth a look?

http://www.fitzroviabicycles.com

tarpitman

thanks all

tried the t100 yesterday at bikefix, which i'll probably get with some slightly more angular handlebars. quite like the idea of it not being too hard to eat miles, but don't want to rush into it so will definitely try the other suggestions.

the mamachari bikes seem like a bargain, unfortunately won't be able to get it through c2w, but definitely a nicer option than decathlon, worth having a look just to avoid being in debt to my boss!

i thought velorution was mainly bikes with wicker baskets, but it seems it has a bit more choice than when i last checked so will give them and fitzrovia a go to see whats there.

andrewc3142

Might also be worth giving http://www.reallyusefulbikes.co.uk/ a call. They sell Gazelle bikes, which look close to what you're after.