Bobbin Daytripper bike « CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum

CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Questions/Support/Help

Bobbin Daytripper bike

(17 posts)

Started 11 years ago by Stickman
Latest reply from Stickman
This topic is not resolved

No tags yet.

Stickman
Member

Ok, time for me to seek the inevitable n+1 advice......

My work's CycleScheme enrolment period has just opened, and I'm in the nice situation of being able to choose a new bike. I'm currently riding a Triban 3 which I'm happy with - I use it as a daily commuter (with rack) and also for longer weekend runs.

I'm thinking of getting a "pootle about town" bike, something I can just hop on without worrying about what clothes I'm wearing. My wife has been lusting after a Bobbin Birdie and I saw on their website the Daytripper which I've now taken a shine to. It looks like it ticks all the boxes for me:

*hub gears (SA 3 speed)
*chain guard
*mudguards
*kickstand
*upright position
*very handsome

I've got a few questions which maybe the more experienced cyclists here could help with:

- Is the price reasonable? It's £365 full price, but I'll be getting the C2W discount so it'll be well under £300
- Are Bobbin Bikes any good, or just stylish?
- it's got side pull brakes. What are these like? can they be changed to v-brakes?

As usual, any advice much appreciated!

Posted 11 years ago #
Uberuce
Member

They're saying side pull because it sounds more retro than dual pivot, which is what they are. Same idea of brakes as your Triban 3.

The selling point of V or cantilever brakes over dual pivots is that they can tolerate much more forest-floor muck getting thrown into them, which is why they're an MTB/trekking/cyclocross Thing.

For a town pootler, that isn't a concern; they both grab the rim as hard for any given level of quality.

Posted 11 years ago #
allebong
Member

For mtbs the main advantage of V-brakes is the essentially unlimited clearance for both fat tyres and the inevitable filth. Which is now a completely moot point as every serious mtb now runs disc brakes with CX and even road beginning to follow.

I'd also add that Vs are in my experience vastly easier to setup and maintain than sidepulls.

Still as Uberuce notes it's a town pootler so it's not really worth stressing over. I am wondering exactly how much protection that front mudguard is going to offer though with it being so short and lacking a good flap. I had a mudguard like that once and you end up with the entire back half of the bike soaked from spray since it all fires straight up off the tyre. Easily sorted with a DIY flap though.

Posted 11 years ago #
amir
Member

My experience of v-brakes vs dual pivot is the opposite. The former never kept centred whilst the latter was pretty stable and easy to correct anyway. V-brakes have cable more exposed and this has led to more frequent replacement. It may well depend on quality of parts of course.

I hope these side-pulls aren't too retro - single-pivots were much inferior to dual pivots.

Posted 11 years ago #
Darkerside
Member

I do note from the link that I could get the perfect 'boyfriend bike' look with the Daytripper.

Is this something I should be going for?

Posted 11 years ago #
Uberuce
Member

Hush you, and keep saving for that Helios.

Posted 11 years ago #
Darkerside
Member

I've actually been looking at Big Dummies recently.

And then at my wallet.

And then around the flat for things I could flog...

Posted 11 years ago #
LaidBack
Member

I'm thinking of getting a "pootle about town" bike, something I can just hop on without worrying about what clothes I'm wearing.

That's the idea of the Paper Bicycle. How expensive are your clothes? ;-)
PB is good as it has drum brakes and full chain guard (and hub lights as option). One bike fits a big range of riders etc

Bobbin though is cheaper. Compare and contrast if you get the chance.

Posted 11 years ago #
kaputnik
Moderator

My experience of v-brakes vs dual pivot is the opposite

Agree, but entirely think it's what you're used to. All except 1 bike of mine has dual pivots, so I fettle with them a lot. I always struggle with the canti-Vee hybrids on my tourer, basically because by the time I have gotten round to adjusting with them again I've forgotten which way to turn each limit screw.

Likewise if you spend more time on Vees than DPs, you'll probably find the latter easier.

Posted 11 years ago #
kaputnik
Moderator

P.S. the Bobbin looks very nice. Dawes have something similar called the "College" or somthing.

I'd look out for 2 things with it;

Is that rack going to hold much weight? It's only got a single stay, most have 2 or 3.
I've seen similar handsome bikes with all the shiny bits a rusty shade of orange. Some of the steels and platings used for cheaper "retro" components may not be up to the Scottish climate, but if it's living indoors or somewhere dry that may not be a problem.

A Brooks saddle will improve it a lot :)

Posted 11 years ago #
Morningsider
Member

Think they sell these in Evans (certainly saw several Bobbin bikes in there the last time I was in - never had what I was after though) if you fancy a gander at one in real life.

Posted 11 years ago #
LaidBack
Member

They have Bobbin at Bike Trax,
Bobbin at Bike Trax Edinburgh

Posted 11 years ago #
Stickman
Member

I've just been in to Bike Trax! They didn't have the Daytripper, but I sat on the Kingfisher which is a similar bike but with derailleurs. It seems a nice bike - I liked the upright position.

Thanks to everyone who has replied. Much to think about!

Posted 11 years ago #
Stickman
Member

Now I'm drawn to the Monsieur!

More expensive, but perhaps higher spec? Although are there problems with the SA 5 speed? And it hasn't got a chainguard.

But is has a Brooks saddle - thumbs up from Kaputnik?

Posted 11 years ago #
Baldcyclist
Member

I picked up my Pashley Parabike today. Must admit, that sit up position is completely weird when you've been on drops for over 20 years. Nice and relaxed though, I like.

On another note though I'm not that impressed with Evans (if you get your Bobbin from there), gears and brakes not well set up on mine, rear mudguard not on properly, and they didn't notice the front mudguard was missing until I pointed it out!

Oh, but the Brooks saddle, I now need one of those on my other bikes (will a Brooks look silly on Cervelo?)

Posted 11 years ago #
crowriver
Member

If you are thinking of upping the budget towards a 'Monsieur' then you may want to consider as an alternative one of Pashley's offerings. Made in the UK, and a good reputation for quality. Low maintenance, all weather hub brakes too.

From a previous thread, a few links (alas the Raleigh Superbe mentioned later on is no longer offered):
http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=8472#post-85027

Posted 11 years ago #
Stickman
Member

Well, I picked up my Daytripper this afternoon and had a quick spin home.

First impressions: it's really comfy! Like Baldcyclist said above, the upright position is strange after using drops but I think I'll get used to it. It's a nice relaxed ride, and I didn't get the urge to push it faster and so it was nice and enjoyable. It's not as heavy as I thought it might be, although I won't be doing laps of Arthur's Seat on it!

I made a few upgrades: ditched the cheap plastic pedals for a set of SPD-SLs (just kidding, got some nice shiny retro style pedals.) I also took Kaputnik's advice above and got a lovely Brooks saddle. Think I may save up and get the matching leather handgrips :-)

I think the guy at the shop liked it as well - it's a bit different from the normal hybrid/mtb/roadie that he puts together.

So far I think it ticks the boxes for what I was after. I should be fairly spottable on it!

Posted 10 years ago #

RSS feed for this topic

Reply

You must log in to post.

// CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum

About This Forum

CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Questions/Support/Help

Bobbin Daytripper bike

Reply

RSS Feeds

Links