This is my favourite bike...
I absolutely love it, but the trouble is, it's rubbish.
It can't really go any faster than 13mph, and even after a 1.5 mile cycle averaging 8mph your legs are absolutely burst. I've had it 3 years now so you'd have thought my legs would have adjusted to it by now. I just don't understand.
It's got a Sturmey archer 5sp hub on it which has never really worked, and although the bikes probably only done a few hundred miles (certainly <1000), used lots - twice a week between 3 and 6 miles - the 3rd gear is gone, it's now a 4 speed. Even if I take it to the shop and get them to do the gears (Cycle service did it a couple months ago), the gears still don't really work.
As much as it's rubbish I'm conflicted. It's my favourite bike, I don't know if ever I'll be able to part with it.
I have thought about putting a 7 speed derailleur on it, it has a gear hanger. But the thought of rebuilding the wheel, or expense of getting the shop to do it doesn't appeal. And as much as that might fix the rubbish shifting, it won't fix the riding position and leg pain casued by that.
I'm probably going to retire the Kaff from commuting duty next year, and buy something a bit lighter. The thought had crossed my mind to put some flat bars on the Kaff, and use that for childcare / train days.
But I still don't know if I could part with the Pashley, I'll probably end up keeping it and whinging about how rubbish it is every time I ride it.
Does anyone else have a rubbish bike they love?
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