Recommendations for a *big* hybrid?

[Bantam]

I'm 6ft 7" and just over 20st, and am looking for a decent bike to use around suburban west London instead of taking local buses and to replace some tube journeys.

When I was a kid I lived in the middle of nowhere and I used to cycle 15-20 miles a weekend. When I moved to London I couldn't take my bike with me, but a couple of years ago bought a cheap 'mountain' bike. I know little/nothing about bikes so while I could sort out any problem with a computer, anything wrong with the bike and it goes to the shop to be put back together.

It's far too small for me really - the seat post must be nearly a foot away from the frame and I can feel it or the frame bending when I ride. The original seatpost bent and the handle bars are so low that it does my neck in to use it, so, well - I don't! It's cost more in bits and repairs than it did to buy, and I'm ready to first of all bin it, and second replace it with something more appropriate (and less likely to kill me!), and thirdly, use it!

I don't know if it means I've lost my mind, but I am very taken by the Pashley Roadster Soverign - £600 for a 24" frame. I like the idea of a bike more closely related to those that are more common in Holland or Italy where the rider is more upright than leaning forward and craning their neck up to see where they're going, and also that it has the rack on the back and properly fitted mudguards.

My local cycle shop (it was a local shop, now it's branded Action Bikes so seems part of a chain or franchise, but the same bloke runs it) doesn't usually sell Pashley bikes but will order one if that's what I want, but they steered me towards a Specialised Expedition Elite. I'm not really bothered about brands or looks (to an extent, though the Specialised looks butt ugly!). On the plus side it's £150 cheaper, but it has no rack or mudguards. The components and technical stuff I've no idea about, but the fact that is has suspension puts me off: on west London's roads and perhaps the occasional tow path it's unnecessary, something else to break, and I think makes the bike more likely to be nicked.

£600 is a frightening amount to spend on a bike, but I don't own a car and I guess tax and insurance for one would exceed that after a couple of years, so in the greater scheme of things it's not that much.

I'm never going to go on holiday either on it or with it, never off-road or racing, and work from home so daily commuting isn't necessary but it'll be for going up to the bank, the shops, visiting customers locally perhaps, and weekend afternoons in the summer. It'll live in my garage and I've already got a Kryptonite New York lock on my bendy one now (which, comically, cost almost as much as the bike, so with the keys in it, would be a better steal than the bike).

Any advice or thoughts gratefully received!

[reohn2]

Take a look at Cycle Heaven in York they do a good range of dutch bikes
http://www.cycle-heaven.co.uk/
I would imagine they'd post to you if one took your fancy.

[hubgearfreak]

I'm 6ft 7" and just over 20st, and am looking for a decent bike to use around suburban west London instead of taking local buses and to replace some tube journeys.

why not call in at this shop?
looks like an interesting range to me, and with some fairly bombproof machines.

http://tinyurl.com/5gajhl

[Bantam]

Thanks - I might take a trip up to York then. I remember from when I used to live there that there were bikes all over the place, and probably went to that shop at some point.

I'll visit the one in London too.

The more I look, the more brands I find! I'm flying to Holland at the weekend, shame its not by boat else I could bring back a Batavus or Gazelle.

[yoyo]

I now ride a Batavus Alamo which I bought in the Dutch Bike Shop in Littlehampton. I am delighted with it and use it for all cycling - to shops, 23 mile commute (round trip) to work and would take it on holidays if Mr Yoyo could be persuaded. Prior to that I had a Specialised XCountry which was so slow on the road that I thought I was becoming geriatric!. I have looked around CYcle Heaven in York (offspring at University there) and it seems to be a good place. Both the Batavus and Gazelle Bikes seem to be bigger and are definitely more solidly built. AS they come complete with lights, chian guard, dress guard, mudguards, rear rack etc, they are ready to use. I think they are worth the extra money. Good luck and I hope you find the bike you are looking for.

[Bantam]

Thanks all - I went to Holland at the weekend and looked at some Gazelle and Batavus bikes, but preferred the Pashley that I'd seen. It having two normal hand brakes and that it's a bit more 'normal' in the UK (and hopefully easier to get parts if necessary in the future) swayed me - that and if it comes to worst, I can get a direct train to Stratford where they're made from round the corner

I put a deposit down this morning at a local bike shop and Pashley reckon 4-5 weeks for delivery: hopefully we've not had our week-long 'summer' by then!