Pashley Princess Sovereign or Brompton?
 

I'm currently studying in London and have made my mind to spend some savings on a new bicycle and fell in love with two, the Pashley Princess Sovereign and Brompton. I love them both for completely different reasons - the first because of the comfort + looks (I love to dress up no matter what I'm doing) and the latter because of its practicality.

After May is over, I"ll be heading back to New York City where I'll be making the daily commute to campus on this new bike. My heart says the Pashley but my mind says the Brompton! What should I do?

Not familiar with the pashley, but it sounds like a fifi girls bike. Any pix links?

The brompton would be fine for short rides, but if you are going to ride long distances, the brommie may not be that comfortable. Also, those new york potholes can eat up the brommies small wheels.

Pashleys are gorgeous. I don't like little wheels and folding bikes myself, and I would not recommend buying one unless you have a pressing need for a folder, like some kind of space-related issue or a serious dearth of bike racks or something. But that's just me, I know some people like them.

http://www.eurocosm.com/Application/...vereign-lg.jpg

The Pashley is basically an English version of the Dutch city bike and is pretty heavy weighing in at 40 pounds. The weight of the Pashley is my biggest worry. My commute at the most will be a little less than 5 miles. Pretty handsome for a fifi girl's bike, am I righ?t!?

Let me guess, in NYC you live in an apartment a couple of stories up. If you need to carry your bike your choice would be the Brompton. I understand your affinity for the Pashey, however. No dressing up on the Brompton.

I actually have to look for a new place over the summer so ultimately, it's deciding whether or not I let a bicycle (although gorgeous) be a huge influence in what I'm looking for in an apartment! I'm surprised that people are discussing the Pashley's weight issue more than how it rides. I've read a lot of reviews that said Dutch city style bicycles are just really impractical for NYC streets...

Yup, they're heavy. So are LHTs, but people love 'em. Weight matters if you wanna go fast, otherwise just smile and spin. Of course if you have to cart it up some stairs...

I own a Brompton among other bikes. There are people who tour with them,ive ridden up to 30 miles at a time on mine,and you can certainly dress well and still ride one. You can get an optional luggage carrier set up with a very large bag for stuff. Go to the Brompton site and read up on them.
There are of course other makes of folder bikes out there,and many who are out there touring. Folks who know nothing about folders often misjudge them they are not toys. There is a speed record held by a 17" wheel bike. Go to the folder site and read up on them. The Bromptons main feature is its very small fold compared to other folders. Each one is a custom order so its fun to purchase one built pretty much how you want it including color. Or you can go to a dealer who has them and they most likely will have a variety ordered by the dealer all different for you to look at,particularly in UK.

Double posted. Mia Culpa.

Hi Grisbi,

I wanted to give my two cents as I own a Pashley Roadster Sovereign (the mens version).

I have not yet written a review of the bike as Im waiting for my panniers to arrive at which point I will let loose. That being said, the Princess is a great bike. I can't stress enough how much you will enjoy it. Forget about the weight. Honestly it is not an issue at all. I don't even realize im carrying so much weight with me. The weight actually works to your advantage. Today I was riding against some strong winds which would normally have me swerving in different directions. The shear weight of this beast kept me stable. One gear on the right which you can control with one hand, thus leaving the other free to use the two tone bell..which is sweet :)


If I was a girl, the Princess would be my bike..hands down. There are plenty of reviews of the Pashley Princess. There is a girl in Edmonton (lovely bicycles) I think who has a blog and she rides a pashley.

Check out this video You'll enjoy it.

Or check out this one. The girl is riding a Pashley, but not the princess.

Cheers

macteacher
Just of interest maybe. In the video of Sarah Chan it shows a bike shop "Redbike" thats where she bought her Pashley. Its also where i bought my Brompton and my Surly LHT. Just found it funny that i answered OP about info re Brompton and you about Pashley and theres the bike shop in video where both can be bought.

The Princess rides really well and is not excessively heavy for a robust steel city bike. The Princess is the 26" wheel version (MTB I think but its worth checking for tyre availability) The only reservation about using a Pashley in the city is carrying it up to apartments.

The Brompton is the finest folder if you want to carry it on crowded transit systems such as the London Underground. Bromptons are highly stealable, there is a big market for them so you take it with you or carry a big lock. If you dont need the ultra-compact fold, then a Dahon is probably more cost-effective.

My approach to London bikes is that its probably going to get stolen so use a nice old bike that rides well. But its your money and your bike and they are both fine English-made souvernirs of your time in London.

Laffs...yeah...that is pretty weird. I love this video by Sarah Chan...I also like the 2nd video I posted. Both video's Pashleys are ridden...but the 2nd one is not a princess

I vote for brompton, folder is transportable, so it is possible for mix commuting, or taking somewhere for holiday. In case you want to store it, it won't take big places neither, and if you ever want to get rid out of it one day, brommy has high re-sale value. Just FYI, I have 3 folding bike now, and brommy is still in my wish list.... :) ......

Thank you for all the input guys!!

macteacher, that video should just be labeled as pure propaganda for the Pashley - so cute! I know I shouldn't be spending this much money on a bike, but I'm looking at it as a lifetime investment and justifying it to myself. Also, my campus and a bicycle parking facility that allows only student access so hopefully that'll deter thieves. I'm ready to guard this new purchase with my life!!!!

Going back to the shop tomorrow to try both for the final time and deciding there. They're probably sick of me now...

It took me a long time before I finally had the courage to buy the Pashley, but I honestly haven't looked back. One of the best life long purchases i've ever made. I have a NY Kryptonite U-Lock to deter thieves. I really don't worry about it being stolen. I think it really comes down to common sense. If you don't feel safe leaving it somewhere, then take it with you. I do have a $50.00 beater bike for sketchy commutes that I don't care if it gets stolen.

The Pashley is a very different bike than all others I've seen. It is in a class of its own. I don't care at all for folding bikes. In fact I think they look ugly (but that's just my preference). The Pashley screams of class and dignity. If you find your having trouble lifting it, then grow some muscles :) You will find it sells itlself. People will stop you on the street, in coffee shops asking you about it. (that has been my experience).

Also, if you need a pannier, look at the BASIL II pannier. The thing is gorgeous

My vote is for the Pashley, but go with your gut.

I've never ridden the Pashley (though it's a beauty!) but wanted to dispel the whole "you can't ride a Brompton a long way" myth. I ride mine 15 miles per day here in Philly over some very badly maintained streets. It handles everything nicely. You have to watch out for very large potholes for sure, but you'd have to do the same on a regular size bike. The Brommie goes with me everywhere, and I don't worry about it getting stolen since it fits under my desk at work. If I get a flat tire, or the weather turns unpleasant or dangerous, I can fold it up and catch a cab or hop on public transit.

My only complaint is the low gearing. I'm planning to convert my S2L to a single speed and hopefully (if it's possible, I dunno) swap out the cog for something slightly larger. The stock saddle is also not the best, but I've ridden on it for a year and haven't felt the need to swap it out for a Brooks just yet.

Good luck with your decision! And whichever bike you choose, get ready to get stares and questions :)

I ride a S1E, which is a single speed. I needed to lower my gear a bit and found that a Surly cog fits right on with no mods other than putting one out of the two spacers over to a slightly thinner spacer as Surly cog is a bit beefier than stock one just to keep chain line good.

Thanks for the tip! My second gear is all but useless--it's so high, I just end up spinning my legs, and I can't imagine ever using it.

I am not a Brompton fan, but I have to vote Brompton. It's much more versatile and, in its way, just as beautiful. That said, of course, it really depends on getting the right Brompton. I test rode a low end one once, and (compared to my other folding bikes) it was a dog. Heavy and sluggish.