My own tag earworms me. AND ALL AROUND ME.

[nonethefewer]

Omg bikes.

So, I have a bike.  It's a good bike.  I just don't use it.  Part of this is my lower back already hates me (I get spasms sometimes, where my back is like "I like this position, so I am going to stay put!", while I'm trying to move), and this is that bend over and grip sort of bike (har), so I want to trade it in for something that is both more relaxing and not a recumbant.  Part is also the worry that I'll bike wrong, but that's for another day.  Today, I am conceptually bike-shopping.

Understand that I'm going for what appears to suit my needs, and that I do not speak "bike".  Having disclaimed, I found the Pashley Princess Sovereign bike, the closest to ideal that I can find right now.  The handlebars are higher than the seat, there's a basket and space for stuff on the back, and it is straight-up pretty.  It has a feel that I like, of tra-la biking around town.  That's all I really want.  While I will of course get the various safety things (reflectors, lights all 'round, a booklet on the local rules, &c)... tra-la.  *ching ching*

Bobbin Bicycles - vintage-style bikes: This, also.

Alls I have to do is find a place or person that will trade me my street-bike for a town-bike.  *blink*

And now, the wtfery.

* Office chair bike!

* Bike + lawnmower!

* Bamboo bike!

* Tree eats bike!

* Treadmill bike!

* Everything on this page is awesome.

* In conclusion, be the bike.

Comments

It's not like I sell them or anything...

[palmir.livejournal.com]

Other possibles that will likely be easier to find in person:

Electra Townie (http://www.electrabike.com/townie/) and Amsterdam (http://www.electrabike.com/amsterdam/) (Townie being more popular and easier to find, with possibles for rack and fenders and baskets and tassles and pretty, Amsterdam being similar to the two to which you linked). (Note that Electra's site changes the size of your window. I hates it. But they make perty bikes that are good quality, so I have to deal with it.)

For the ultimate for people who don't speak bike, the Trek Lime (http://www.trekbikes.com/lime/) (see also: any other bike that uses Shimano's Coasting (http://www.coasting.com/) system). Automagic shifting! It's a really cool setup, but sadly isn't as popular as it has every right to be. Plus side: you might find a dealer who's willing to make a deal on one if they have it in stock.

Re: It's not like I sell them or anything...

[tisiphone.livejournal.com]

The Amsterdam is the one with the internal gearing, isn't it?

Re: It's not like I sell them or anything...

[palmir.livejournal.com]

Amsterdam has it, as do several of the Townie models and both the ones X linked to. The Lime also uses it, but has no manual shifter. I'm a huge fan of internal gearing systems for people who don't speak bike, or for those who do but don't want to do minor adjustments for themselves (because hub-gear systems don't really need adjustments after they've been set). In the last couple years, a lot of companies have started using them on their bikes, which is nice for the selection.

Re: It's not like I sell them or anything...

[tisiphone.livejournal.com]

I've spent forever trying to find a bike at this point; the Amsterdam was my previous first choice because of the internal gearing (I ride in a skirt a lot of the time, so the less to get stuck in, the better), but I really love the Princess Sovereign's aesthetics.

Hubgear systems

[palmir.livejournal.com]

I just looked into the Princess bikes due to not being familiar with Pashley (umm. At all). Looks well built, though I would personally stay away from things that use the Sturmey-Archer gearing. It just doesn't work as smoothly as Shimano's does. The skirtguard on the Sovereign and the Amsterdams would also help with the skirt issue; fabric flapping into the rear wheel is a bigger issue than going into the chain, even if you're wearing ankle-length skirts.

[tisiphone.livejournal.com]

I love, love, love the Pashley Princesss bikes! I've seriously considered taking a short trip to England with a light bag to buy one. However, they do come with safety gear, though it might not be apparently in the picture. There's also a version (I think it's called the Breeze) that's cream with coloured detailing on the skirtguard and chainguard. I really, really love the green, though.