Pashley Princess Sovereign

[vonmeow]

Yeahhhhhhh that's right, I damn well bought it!

Pashley Princess Sovereign from Rain City Bikes! I got it for 10% off, haha...perhaps I can convince them to give me a helmet and bike lock for free (even though I have those already).

I studied/researched/looked at/test rode every beautiful lovely bicycle available in Vancouver and finally settled on one with everything I wanted, which was the one I wanted in the first place but wasn't sure how it would ride. <3

Tomorrow I will be picking it up and riding it for the first time, in traffic (on cycling routes), home.

I also liked the Batavus model I rode, which was similar, but didn't have that same 100-year old traditional look, and it was harder for me to lift.
Other "Dutch"-style bicycles

Sweeeeet features:
-it fits my short legs
-step-through frame (I can wear dresses!)
-upright riding position (I can wear heels, haha!)
-handmade lugged and brazed steel frame (heavy, but sturdy, and you can't feel every single bump like lighter bikes will)
-enclosed chain (keeps my clothes clean)
-steel fenders (not plastic or clanky aluminum)
-skirt guard (prevents clothes getting stuck in the spokes)
-rear rack
-wicker basket (for my puppy)
-Sturmey Archer (oooold traditional style) hub brake
-Srurmey Archer 5 speed hub gears
-hub dynamo lights (they're really bright and are powered by cycling!)
-bell (it actually goes "ding-dong" as opposed to "ding-ding")
-sprung Antique Brooks B66 leather saddle
-rear wheel lock
-good for leisurely riding

I HOPE IT DOES NOT GET STOLEN.

Comments

[galaxychild.livejournal.com]

Ohhh she's really heavy, and only 5 speed, but I knew that going into it. It's not really meant for fast riding, more like cruising around the seawall or something. Hills are pretty painful, but I try very hard and then walk it up hill if I can't go on. I did ride it from Steveston in Richmond to downtown in 2 hours (but I did walk the bike about 10 blocks and get coffee at Main St skytrain!)

I asked the guy at the store how to make it less theft-prone, and he said a good u-lock would be best and not to lock it up in dimly-lit areas. I haven't taken it out enough times yet, but that all sounds like common sense type stuff! also, it has a rear-wheel lock, so whoever it stealing it pretty much has to carry it away (or throw it in a truck, I guess). The storeperson said a customer once brought in their Pashley, and they had their key break inside the wheel lock, and they had a hard time trying to get the lock off without damaging the bike.

I don't think I'd be riding it in situations where I'd be out late at night or leaving it outside overnight or anything, but who knows?