Take a look at the Claud Butler Odyssey rather than the Legend. Although it's not that light, I've found it very good for just the sort of trips you envisage, plus much longer ones. The riding position is widely adjustable and with some tweaking (e.g. finding a saddle that suits you) it could do the job, IMO.
-- Brian G
This is half the problem, I cannot tell what the difference is between in this case the Odyssey and the Legend? I know the spec sheet says they have a different chainset. But what should I be looking for?
This is half the problem, I cannot tell what the difference is between in this case the Odyssey and the Legend? I know the spec sheet says they have a different chainset. But what should I be looking for?
In your situation, minor differences in the parts are not important. What is important is sitting on the bike, riding it for a bit and seeing if the riding position is comfortable for you and your back. And that means you are going to have to go out and try a few to find out rather than reading spec sheets.
Recumbents have been mentioned and are generally much more expensive but one bike you might like to look at, which a GP I met with back problems found ideal, is the Giant Revive - half way between a recumbent and a normal bicycle and much cheaper at between £500 and £600 list. http://www.bikesandtrailers.com/recumbents/
-- Tony
"I did make a mistake once - I thought I'd made a mistake but I hadn't" Anon
In your situation, minor differences in the parts are not important. What is important is sitting on the bike, riding it for a bit and seeing if the riding position is comfortable for you and your back. And that means you are going to have to go out and try a few to find out rather than reading spec sheets.
Spoke to several local dealers, including one who stocks a lot of the named brands, including Trek, Dawes, Specialized and Claud Butler. But none are willing to let me try a bike out. All they are willing to do is adjust/setup the bike in store for me to sit on. Now I know that sitting on the bike would give some indication of comfort, but it is not the same as riding.
Can anyone reccommend a good dealer around Wiltshire/Glos/Bristol area?
Spoke to several local dealers, including one who stocks a lot of the named brands, including Trek, Dawes, Specialized and Claud Butler. But none are willing to let me try a bike out. All they are willing to do is adjust/setup the bike in store for me to sit on. Now I know that sitting on the bike would give some indication of comfort, but it is not the same as riding.
Can anyone reccommend a good dealer around Wiltshire/Glos/Bristol area?
When my wife and I were looking for folding bikes Avon Valley Cyclery behind Bath Spa Station let us take a pair of Airnimals out for a few hours. We also took a couple of other bikes out for a brief spin round the car park, but we were sold on the Airnmals by then.
Spoke to several local dealers, including one who stocks a lot of the named brands, including Trek, Dawes, Specialized and Claud Butler. But none are willing to let me try a bike out.
Make sure you point out to them you won't give them your business and why. This may have more useful effect if you wheel in the machine you've bought from somewhere else when you tell them.
Quoted message said:
Can anyone reccommend a good dealer around Wiltshire/Glos/Bristol area?
I can't, not being anywhere near, but I'd be willing to travel a fair way to a good dealer: it may be a faff and cost time and money, but that will be rewarded every time you ride the bike. I've bought all my main bikes from the other side of the country, partly because it's a shop where the owner is very happy for people to go out and try things (more often than not, very expensive things!).
Pete. -- Peter Clinch Medical Physics IT Officer Tel 44 1382 660111 ext. 33637 Univ. of Dundee, Ninewells Hospital Fax 44 1382 640177 Dundee DD1 9SY Scotland UK net [email hidden] http://www.dundee.ac.uk/~pjclinch/
Recumbents have been mentioned and are generally much more expensive but one bike you might like to look at, which a GP I met with back problems found ideal, is the Giant Revive - half way between a recumbent and a normal bicycle and much cheaper at between £500 and £600 list.
A few weeks ago there was one in Mike's Bikes in Cambridge at a pretty large discount. Down to less than £400 IIRC.
Spoke to several local dealers, including one who stocks a lot of the named brands, including Trek, Dawes, Specialized and Claud Butler. But none are willing to let me try a bike out. All they are willing to do is adjust/setup the bike in store for me to sit on. Now I know that sitting on the bike would give some indication of comfort, but it is not the same as riding.
Can anyone reccommend a good dealer around Wiltshire/Glos/Bristol area?
When my wife and I were looking for folding bikes Avon Valley Cyclery behind Bath Spa Station let us take a pair of Airnimals out for a few hours. We also took a couple of other bikes out for a brief spin round the car park, but we were sold on the Airnmals by then.
I saw one on the Cabrach 200 - looks very tempting.
Spoke to several local dealers, including one who stocks a lot of the named brands, including Trek, Dawes, Specialized and Claud Butler. But none are willing to let me try a bike out. All they are willing to do is adjust/setup the bike in store for me to sit on. Now I know that sitting on the bike would give some indication of comfort, but it is not the same as riding.
Any bike shop that won't let you try one out (with a security deposit) is not worth your custom.
Quoted message said:
Can anyone reccommend a good dealer around Wiltshire/Glos/Bristol area?
I only know AVC in Bath but that's mainly folding bikes althought they do normal bikes as well. When I did a Brompton test ride there before buying their only comment was "That was quick, we thought you'd be gone for longer than that" http://www.bikeshop.uk.com/home.htm
-- Tony
"I did make a mistake once - I thought I'd made a mistake but I hadn't" Anon
I saw one on the Cabrach 200 - looks very tempting.
Darth Ben is an Airnimal dealer now, so a trip to Bearsden has even /more/ chance of melting your Visa card. He seems to be doing Moultons too now, as another option for stowable sports machines.
Pete. -- Peter Clinch Medical Physics IT Officer Tel 44 1382 660111 ext. 33637 Univ. of Dundee, Ninewells Hospital Fax 44 1382 640177 Dundee DD1 9SY Scotland UK net [email hidden] http://www.dundee.ac.uk/~pjclinch/
Take a look at the Claud Butler Odyssey rather than the Legend. Although it's not that light, I've found it very good for just the sort of trips you envisage, plus much longer ones. The riding position is widely adjustable and with some tweaking (e.g. finding a saddle that suits you) it could do the job, IMO.
-- Brian G
This is half the problem, I cannot tell what the difference is between in this case the Odyssey and the Legend? I know the spec sheet says they have a different chainset. But what should I be looking for?
A very confused
Vernon
The difference doesn't matter much. What you asked for was recommendations and what I've said is that I've found the Odyssey good for what you seem to want. Doesn't mean that you'll like it but one way to cut down the long list to manageable size is to ask, just as you did, for recommendations from experience. As others here have said, only by trying out various bikes can you arrive at something that suits you, but at least if someone else has found a particular model OK, it's a starting point.
If bike shops won't let you try out bikes (for which they should be boycotted) you could maybe try approaching local bike clubs to see if any members will let you ride their bikes - although changing the set up to suit you might be problematic.
If bike shops won't let you try out bikes (for which they should be boycotted) you could maybe try approaching local bike clubs to see if any members will let you ride their bikes - although changing the set up to suit you might be problematic.
Can't hurt to ask, but I would think that the typical UK cycling club member's bike is probably not something where a bolt-upright sitting position comes as standard.
Pete. -- Peter Clinch Medical Physics IT Officer Tel 44 1382 660111 ext. 33637 Univ. of Dundee, Ninewells Hospital Fax 44 1382 640177 Dundee DD1 9SY Scotland UK net [email hidden] http://www.dundee.ac.uk/~pjclinch/
If bike shops won't let you try out bikes (for which they should be boycotted) you could maybe try approaching local bike clubs to see if any members will let you ride their bikes - although changing the set up to suit you might be problematic.
Can't hurt to ask, but I would think that the typical UK cycling club member's bike is probably not something where a bolt-upright sitting position comes as standard.
Pete.
Yes, I'm not a club member, so can't be sure, but I was thinking more of the "leisure" type clubs than the wheelers. For example, the local over-50's club trots out a fair variety of bikes (mainly MTBs made of toffee, admittedly ;-) )
Spoke to several local dealers, including one who stocks a lot of the named brands, including Trek, Dawes, Specialized and Claud Butler. But none are willing to let me try a bike out. All they are willing to do is adjust/setup the bike in store for me to sit on. Now I know that sitting on the bike would give some indication of comfort, but it is not the same as riding.
Can anyone reccommend a good dealer around Wiltshire/Glos/Bristol area?
When my wife and I were looking for folding bikes Avon Valley Cyclery behind Bath Spa Station let us take a pair of Airnimals out for a few hours. We also took a couple of other bikes out for a brief spin round the car park, but we were sold on the Airnmals by then.
And that's why bike shops letting you try bikes is good business for them. Sitting in a shop, it's hard to tell the difference between a good bike and a not so good one. Out on the road on something really nice for an hour, and you're /very/ likely to spend more money than you intended. And not regret it afterwards, either.
Can anyone reccommend a good dealer around Wiltshire/Glos/Bristol area?
and Tony Raven responded:
Quoted message said:
I only know AVC in Bath but that's mainly folding bikes althought they do normal bikes as well. When I did a Brompton test ride there before buying their only comment was "That was quick, we thought you'd be gone for longer than that" http://www.bikeshop.uk.com/home.htm
AVC usually seem to have a few very nice normal bikes in as well. They also used to stock the occasional recumbent, but (apart from a second-hand Windcheetah that they had in last year) haven't done for quite a few years now.
The other bike shop to try in Bath is John's Bikes on Walcot Street, although they don't seem to keep as many bikes in stock these days as they used to. Both are great shops, but I tend to favour AVC because they do a CTC discount.
I don't know the Bristol shops as well. Mud Dock and Dave Bater Cycles aren't worth bothering with unless you want a mountain bike or a cruiser. There's one shop in particular that probably *is* worth a try, if only I could remember it's name. After Googling and looking at the A-Z I think I'm probably thinking of Bristol Bicycle Workshop on Colston Street.
Another one that the OP certainly ought to check out is Comfort Cycles in Mangotsfield.
-- Danny Colyer (the UK company has been laughed out of my reply address) <URL:http://www.speedy5.freeserve.co.uk/danny/> "He who dares not offend cannot be honest." - Thomas Paine
