http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Topic: Islabikes for Codgers en Mon, 18 May 2026 00:24:10 +0000 http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19414#post-300119 Sat, 26 Jan 2019 13:30:38 +0000 I were right about that saddle 300119@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Could easily see myself riding one of the MTBs, but there are some queer aspects.</p> <p>The bike has a rigid fork because it's not designed for the jumps and drops its older riders are expected to spurn but it has a tapered steerer and massive integrated lower race in the headset. Why not just conventional steerer and bearings to keep the price down?</p> <p>Also intrigued as to how the biggest one weighs the same as the smallest. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19414#post-300117 Sat, 26 Jan 2019 13:09:37 +0000 rbrtwtmn 300117@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Harts Cyclery - I'm interested, are there any of the 'Dutch' bikes available over here (e.g. Gazelle, as linked) which are <em>actually</em> genuinely Dutch style (rather than simply a bit more upright)? I pedalled a Dutch 'Swapfiets' bike around Amsterdam for 3 weeks last year - and it was so much more than just 'upright' (ignoring brake design or even gearing - thinking specifically about geometry).</p> <p>I was taken aback by the difference - to begin with it felt incredibly alien if not dangerous. But oddly, on return to the UK my first trip out on a hybrid also felt incredibly alien and dangerous... why am I leading with my head compared to leading with my feet?? The relaxed Dutch style ride was as much about having my elbows back beside my body - like sitting in an armchair - as anything else...</p> <p>Compare the geometry/design of the Gazelle bikes to the even-more-relaxed images <a href="https://swapfiets.nl/en/">here</a> or <a href="http://www.workcycles.com/home-products/handmade-city-bicycles/workcycles-omafiets-dutch-granny-bike">here</a>. Perhaps what I'm identifying is the difference between a 'Dutch' bike (simply more upright) and a Dutch 'Omafiets' (half-asleep laid-back cycling)? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19414#post-300081 Fri, 25 Jan 2019 18:46:39 +0000 Harts Cyclery 300081@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Haha. IWRATS, don't worry, I've emailed my rep about that! I, too, was unimpressed. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19414#post-300080 Fri, 25 Jan 2019 18:44:19 +0000 Murun Buchstansangur 300080@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><a href="https://www.islabikes.co.uk/icons/" rel="nofollow">https://www.islabikes.co.uk/icons/</a></p> <p>£1200 for the 9.4kg road bike or the MTB. Ouch!</p> <p>Seem to be making a big deal about low Q-factor cranks - any particular reasons why this may be important to older folk? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19414#post-300079 Fri, 25 Jan 2019 18:28:39 +0000 I were right about that saddle 300079@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>To be fair the Isla range also includes a mountain and a fast road bike for older riders.</p> <p>Oh and Harts mate, please do tell Gazelle to fix this on their website. I'm not normally too touchy on the flag thing but there are limits on Burns night.</p> <p><img src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7894/46821450962_337b4a6eb6_m.jpg"> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19414#post-300077 Fri, 25 Jan 2019 18:10:25 +0000 Harts Cyclery 300077@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Um, these exist are more practical and cheaper, and I'll even let you have a shot of one before you buy :-)</p> <p><a href="http://www.gazellebikes.com" rel="nofollow">http://www.gazellebikes.com</a> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19414#post-300072 Fri, 25 Jan 2019 17:40:16 +0000 I were right about that saddle 300072@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><em>There's only one way to be sure someone doesn't grow up...</em></p> <p>A trip to Neverland? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19414#post-300070 Fri, 25 Jan 2019 17:26:18 +0000 dougal 300070@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><em>"Bicycles specifically for older people. If only the roads were suited to anyone"</em></p> <p>So we're waiting for the launch of Isla Roads? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19414#post-300066 Fri, 25 Jan 2019 16:59:21 +0000 Frenchy 300066@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><em>Let's hope that never happens. </em></p> <p>There's only one way to be sure someone doesn't grow up... </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19414#post-300065 Fri, 25 Jan 2019 16:53:04 +0000 I were right about that saddle 300065@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@sallyhinch</p> <p>Let's hope <em>that</em> never happens. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19414#post-300064 Fri, 25 Jan 2019 16:31:10 +0000 sallyhinch 300064@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I love seeing octogenarians (and older) on bikes. As I watch my parents and my friends' parents getting older, anyone who looks like they're still having fun into their 80s is encouraging. I definitely hope to be one of them when I grow up </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19414#post-300060 Fri, 25 Jan 2019 16:04:45 +0000 Frenchy 300060@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I want one. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19414#post-300058 Fri, 25 Jan 2019 15:45:56 +0000 Trixie 300058@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Those are very nice bikes. </p> <p>There are definitely more elders on bikes around town these days. They make me grin and hope I get to join the ranks someday. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19414#post-300054 Fri, 25 Jan 2019 14:34:18 +0000 Rosie 300054@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I was just going to post that. I've heard Isla Rowntree speak and she is very impressive.</p> <p>On having no cross-bar - a very macho bloke in New Zealand who does cycle tours along the whole of the country said he was arthritic and rode a girl's bike. Once your hips start twinging, the leg lift becomes a little more tricky. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19414#post-300052 Fri, 25 Jan 2019 14:29:29 +0000 I were right about that saddle 300052@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>This is fantastic. Bicycles specifically for older people. If only the roads were suited to anyone other than the fit, the assertive and the daring.</p> <p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2019/jan/25/islabikes-bicycle-firm-wants-keep-older-people-pedalling" rel="nofollow">https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2019/jan/25/islabikes-bicycle-firm-wants-keep-older-people-pedalling</a> </p>