Recent content by Dangermouse

I'm firmly of the opinion that if professional thief wants your bike badly enough then they'll get it. All you can do is put off the opportunists and make sure you're sufficiently well insured. We have a pair Liteloks which we can use individually or connect together to make one big lock so we...

I spent ages trying to find panniers that are practical as well as looking good. Finally ended up with a set of these double panniers by New Looxs - not the cheapest but they seem to be well made, have inserts that keep them rigid when empty and a 32 litre capacity which should be plenty for a...

Hubby's work also use Cyclesolutions - they don't make it clear (or easy to find) on their website, but you can still buy through your local bike shop. I've never been able to find this page via their website, but it comes up on Google: https://www.cyclesolutions.co.uk/find-a-bike-shop Hubby...

I see the comment about maintenance mentioned a lot about hub gears, but I wonder really how important this actually is? I've been riding bikes with derailleur gears for years and maintenance has never been an issue. Ok the chain may need replacing more often on derailleurs, but the £150...

Sorry but as I mentioned before, I really want a crank motor and 700c wheels are a must. Also the frame on the Torque is only 46.5cm - the 46cm Raleigh was almost big enough (ie. it was a bit too small) so whilst I could probably raise the seat, get a longer seatpost etc. I'd rather get...

Ok so a couple of months later and I've had the opportunity to test ride a few bikes :D The stepthrough style is currently top of the list so far: I just love the upright riding position and swept back handlebars - its so comfy compared to my current hybrid. The top two contenders so far are...

Of course - that's what test rides are for ;) But I'd like to have a shortlist to try out - saves time travelling to shops only to find they don't have what I'm looking for. I'll definitely be checking out the Motus - but I do have concerns around the frame size. I haven't managed to find a...

Being a systematic person, I've been trying to come up with a list of things to consider - have I forgotten anything? Size - obviously it needs to fit, but a longer seatpost and/or a riser step could make a slightly small bike fit. I've just measured my current bike: its has a 57cm seat tube...

Thanks for the suggestion, but I'm not really that keen on 26" wheels, and I'm pretty set on a crank drive I think. Really good to see how a bike can fit a range of sizes though...it gives me hope that I'll find something to fit :)

Its a good point about the flexibility of the stepthrough frame - I guess the larger the bike, the more it becomes an issue. I'd be foolish not to consider the lower top tube frames too - basically I just want to be able to mount the bike without having to swing my leg over the back (I always...

That's a nice looking bike and its really light too! :) The L seat tube is only 50cm which is possibly on the short side (current bike is 57cm), but could possibly be overcome with a longer seat post and a riser stem - though its all extra £££ considering the bike is already slightly over...

Thanks all for your helpful hints and tips - you've given me lots of new avenues to investigate. One thing I forgot to mention in my OP is that I'd really prefer a crank drive rather than a hub - pretty much everything I've read says that they are better on hills, and its hills in particular...

Hubby and I have decided to get electric bikes and as usual he has plenty to choose from whereas I'm really struggling due to my long legs :(. I currently have a men's Specialized Sirrus size XL - what I've learned from that is that a) I don't like having to swing my leg over the back of the...