I was going to call, but decided instead to do my usual inhospitable thing and just drop in at redbike, my friendly neighbourhood bike place. I figured if they didn't have what I needed or didn't have time, I would just come back another day.
When I got there everybody was busy, though not too busy to give warm greetings!
They were quick to point out the new Pashleys. And man... they are nice. Really really nice.
The two in the foreground are the Britannia, and the powder blue and pink ones are the Poppy.
Edmonton ladies, I have been told they have ordered heaps of Pashley bikes in ALL sizes. So no matter if you are 5'0 like me or a long-legged beauty... there is a Pashley for you.
I had gone with more practical purposes. I really need a rack on the Kona. Tying things to the handlebars certainly works (today I had my purse hanging off there too, in addition to a gigantic bag of music books) but you all know me. I prefer cargo options.
Mr. Mechanic was actually quite busy, but conceded to doing me a favour. Thank you!
He is my super bike hero. This is the sort of thing that Don can do. But Don must have time. And one has to freeze outside in the garage too. My redbike hero saved us from such a fate, and now this rack is crazy super sturdy too.
*heart*
While I was waiting and chatting, I snapped a few pictures around the shop. These bikes look electric!
And this would look so cute cute cute on somebody's ride.
redbike sells chopsticks? Nope. This is my double kick stand for Pashley!
And hello, Brompton. You look very cozy and at home next to those Yakkay helmets.
Look, some of those Pashleys that have yet to be unpacked. LOVE.
Any bike work shop has to have its rims.
Then it was time to pay up and say good bye and get on with my errands.
It was actually quite cold today. I don't think I was dressed up quite enough, though it wasn't a big deal. The wind on the way home was a bit mean to me, but that's to be expected, anyway.
Luckily my Kona is slowly getting more bits and pieces to become even more practical. I believe it may be the ugliest of all my bikes. However, it's so handy that I find that I am using it... A LOT.
I am going to use Don's rear basket thing that clips onto the rack, or maybe a pannier (we have 2 detachable ones, both of which would be suitable).
And I even added a kick stand. Before I would just throw this bike down on the grass or the ground. Now that I am using it more frequently and I also tow Dexter's trailer with this bike, I would like it to stand up on its own.
Funny how even my "ugly" bike is starting to take up a little place in my heart. Kona and I are really building a loving relationship through all our riding together. It's the kind of bike that is really a waste to sell because I wouldn't get much money from it. I am gradually spending little bits of money replacing things and changing things... but all in all the frame is really decent and the bike fits me. I think the next thing I might do is change the gear things (you all know I'm not the least bit technical, right?) so that it may become a single speed or... I may still want to keep 3 to 5 speeds on it if I am towing.
I haven't decided yet.
The point is, my winter bike isn't all fancy and beautiful. But in my eyes it's wonderful. The perfect stead that keeps me non-dependent on the car, even in these winter months. And it's my great little bike shop that keeps her in good shape.
20 comments:
Someone told me once that kickstands aren't cool ... but yours is lookin' mighty fine. I might change my mind on that one. :)
Ok, that basket pannier. The cutest! Seeing all those Pashleys in a row makes my heart skip a beat.
Hi Sarah,
Unsolicited advice: don't go single-speed on the Kona, particularly if your present love for the bike has strong ties to its utilitarian do-it-all nature.
My winter beater is an old touring bike outfitted with studded tires and I use it from about November to late March here in Chicago. I recently had to convert it to a single-speed (long story, but if you're interested, say so and I'll tell you all about breaking axles!). Anticipating normal occurrences like wind, exhaustion, carrying groceries, and the like, and also taking into account I am much more a spinner than a masher, I deliberately went for a low gearing - 39x15 (70.6 gear inches).
Getting up from a dead stop in traffic? Yeah, it's not fun and it makes me really eager to get back out on my road bike. I was expecting that. :) But if there's a headwind or I'm carrying a load? Even though I went low for living in a relatively flat town, it just isn't low enough - the effort tackling one of our smallish hills makes me feel like I'm doing power intervals on the trainer at home, only I don't get a recovery apart from coasting down the hill because I still have to contend with traffic! I could always put a larger sprocket in back, but the present cruising speed sans headwind or load is about right. There's just not a happy medium!
Single-speed bikes are fun...sometimes. It may be worth having one around for just the right type of day and ride, but honestly, a versatile do-everything beastie like your Kona is versatile because it has got multiple gears.
If you're really itching to change it up, though - internal hub gearing looks nice, is dead-easy shifting, doesn't suffer in any sort of drive-side impact, and only needs work when something goes horribly wrong inside (it's rare, but not as foolproof as it's cracked up to be...maybe 90/100). My guess would be you'd want to shoot for something with 5 or more gears available since you're sometimes pulling Dexter, but then I don't know anything about your pedaling style and other subjective/preference-y stuff.
Okay, shutting up. :)
Jessica - People told me I didn't need one either. But now that I tow the trailer on it, it's really annoying when I have to lay the bike down after getting the arm thing into the hitch. Or, it's really annoying having to prop up the bike while I am trying to get the arm attached. I think bad kick stands are stupid, but I like mine!
Kara - Tell me about it. The Britannia in navy blue sort of gave me bike lust, and I haven't had bike lust in quite some time.
Hi, I enjoy reading your blog and finally dare to venture a comment, only because I'm so curious to know your insight: Pashley is more of a spring/summer ride, right? You don't use yours in this long winter months. (I'm trying to decide on buying ONE bike for the whole Edmontonian year) Thanks! :)
Heyyyyyyyy piano teacher; Change the gear things? I dunno.
N.I.K. - I LIKE your unsolicited advice - yeah! Actually, this internal hub business is what Don suggested to me too. I think it's the last bit of work I need to get done on the Kona and then I can probably leave it untouched forever more, with the exception of changing out the tires from studs to normals each season. And you're right, I'll want to be capable on the hills and in traffic, especially with Dexter.
I believe I am more of a masher myself but that's because of a lifetime with mountain bikes. I always had them geared really high. On my single speed road bike I am a big time coaster. It's lovely! Though I never feel like I'm getting any exercise:)
Anon - I think so, I do think so!
Rita - Mmm... I think you COULD ride her all year, but you will have to take some things into consideration. If you don't have a garage to park her in, she is very annoying to carry up stairs. I don't think Pashley is good to leave locked up outside all the time.
She is heavy. Have you read my recent Pashley 201 and 202 posts? You may be walking her at times.
I am a huge fan of studded tires. Huge huge fan! If you liked this sort of thing you would have to change the tires out and that would be something you need to do every spring and fall... or take to the shop. I understand (I have never done it myself but have heard people complain) that dealing with changing the rear wheel is sort of a pain. All very possible, just not as straightforward as something else.
Honestly, if I was only allowed to have one bike and one bike only? And I was riding all year? I would probably buy the Devinci Paris.
http://www.girlsandbicycles.ca/2010/06/devinci-paris.html
It's very light. Has a nice range of gears. Fenders and rack. Lights and basket can easily be added. Good price point. You should ride both of them and see how you feel. But I suppose the short answer to your question is... nope, I don't ride Pashley in the winter. She's not my first choice:)
I've seen the blue pashley, but never red. Is it a new model, or just a new color choice?
I have,for my pashley,a basket that fits into, and hangs off the rear rack (Basil). It looks as if from your photos it would work with Don's rear rack. I bought mine at a bike shop, but they sell them at Amazon as well (milk crate), or I have a picture on my blog under the entry "Princess at Work".
BikeBike loves redbike too!
Drooling over that woven pannier and now off to search for it online!
Glad to see RedBike and learning you are North. I like your about. Where you say you can tell what a person is like from where they live. I'm in Linden Hills a neighborhood in Minneapolis. The sense of a place is what living is all about, to really live get a sense of the place biking and walking is a must do. Check out my blog if you get a chance. I aspire to better blogging like yours.
I wish the Pashley Princess came in navy when I bought it. I chose green but navy is a great option. I think I'm going to overhaul my old Electra Townie into a winter bike for next winter because I hate letting salt get all over Pashley and I've noticed some rust forming on the cranks (is that the correct term for where the pedals attach to the bike). Hopefully I can get it off. I can't give it a good cleaning after every single ride.
I'm also envious of your bike shop. Only one or two of the bike shops in Toronto stock cute baskets worthy of Pashley.
Inspired - I too love the blue!
BikeBike - They love you too! I can't wait until my next trip to Calgary (I actually don't go that often) so I can come visit. But if you're ever up here... YOU need to get in touch.
Su-Lin - It was pretty sweet, and all weather proof too.
domotion - Thanks for the blog compliments - I enjoy posting on the blog and am glad that people like coming.
dag - I too like the navy of all the alternative colours. I got black, but that's because it was the only thing in stock at the time and I couldn't wait any longer for regency green:) In hindsight, I really like black. Photographs very well!
I don't like going into the shop here that carries Pashleys because doing so always aggravates my unrequited lust for one (preferably Clubman for me). What the eyes don't see the heart doesn't grieve over and all that.
I'm drooling over that line-up of Brooks Bro. Saddles ... sigh.
I had to settle for a Velo-Orange Model 8.
Navy blue Pashleys? Oh dear, my self-control is going to get a workout next time I go in...
My feedback is also not to go single-speed with Kona! I'm finding I far prefer my 3-speeds to my single coaster hubs.
Those are beautiful saddles! Wish the local shops in my area looked more like your photos.
Late to the game, but I'll second the whole internally geared hub idea. I'm partial to 3 speeds, but that's just me!
And that is one fine looking kick stand you have there! See, kickstands don't have to be ugly!
I adore my Electra and this post put me in the mood to look into some new stuff for her! Awesome!
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