Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - Any experience with Biria Easy Boarding Series Bikes?

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MIH-Dave
04-14-12, 07:04 AM
First a little back story... My wife is an Athena who had to have her hip rebuild when she was a young teen (don't ask). Right now she has a Cannondale Adventure 400 that shes loves, but has a difficult time getting off after a few miles.

While at the LBS recently, she spotted these Biria bikes. They seem like they'd be easier for her to get on / off, but I'm worried about the design. I don't know if that style of frame would be very strong. Any experience / thoughts?

http://www.biria.com/series/easy-boarding

jethro56
04-14-12, 08:18 AM
They look extremely heavy.
MIH-Dave
04-14-12, 08:21 AM
Weight (31lbs. for the "Easy 7" model) isn't as much of a concern as durability. I'm honestly more concerned about the frame where the front and back halves meet.

Rhodabike
04-14-12, 08:49 AM
Is the Cannondale a step-through frame? If not, maybe a standard step-through frame would do the trick.
MIH-Dave
04-15-12, 01:23 PM
@Rhondabike: No, it's a standard womens bike.
http://www.bikepedia.com/QuickBike/BikeSpecs.aspx?Year=2007&Brand=Cannondale&Model=Adventure+400+Feminine&Type=bike
Laserman
04-17-12, 09:42 PM
Looking at the way the tubes are welded with gussets, I would not be too concerned about the durability of these bikes.
Were you checking them out at Jack's Bikes on Michigan? They don't like you to take them off the property but you can pedal around their back parking lot all you want.
Have your wife ride for a few minutes and see if it feels flexy.
Doohickie
04-17-12, 10:52 PM
My wife's got one. She likes it. She doesn't ride very much and isn't an Athena, so I can't really speak to the durability of it.

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e341/Doohickie/10Biria/DSCI1694.jpg

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e341/Doohickie/10Biria/DSCI1695.jpg
MIH-Dave
04-18-12, 06:39 PM
@Laserman: Yep, it was Jacks. Thanks for the heads up on taking them off property.
@Doohickie: Thanks for the info!
Zorba
06-13-12, 08:56 PM
A bit late on this thread, but I've had one since 2005, and love it. It is, however, one of the steel framed ones that (apparently) isn't imported to the US anymore. I'm a Clyde - the stock wheels didn't hold up, and I've since upgraded some components, but I've had zero problems with the basic frame/bike.

I commute on it daily. A fairly recent picture:

http://www.doubleveil.net/share/zorba-bike.jpg

Mine came with tubes equipped with woods valves!! For those not familiar, they're an oddball valve stem that combines the worst features of Schrader and Presta, and the best features of neither.