Fell in love with this. Papillionaire. Comments? Feedback?
-
- Posts: 41
- Joined: Wed May 08, 2013 12:01 pm
Fell in love with this. Papillionaire. Comments? Feedback?
Postby TheWoodenTree » Sun Jul 14, 2013 10:50 pm
Anyone has experience with this bike? Or do you guys have other recommendations for a nice retro/vintage/dutch bike that's below $500?
Itching for a new ride to town!
-
- Posts: 5131
- Joined: Mon Apr 20, 2009 10:41 pm
Re: Fell in love with this. Papillionaire. Comments? Feedbac
Postby rkelsen » Mon Jul 15, 2013 9:40 am
Seen a few in the flesh. Not a bad bike for the money. It approximately compares to Gazelles costing 3x as much.
But these are just words. You need to take one for a test ride to see if you really like it.
But these are just words. You need to take one for a test ride to see if you really like it.
- HappyHumber
- Posts: 5072
- Joined: Wed Nov 14, 2007 11:48 pm
- Location: Perth, (S.o.R.) W.A.
Re: Fell in love with this. Papillionaire. Comments? Feedbac
Postby HappyHumber » Mon Jul 15, 2013 11:29 am
Frame geometry looks more like a generic mens roadie from the last 30 years. I'd say a bit racey & twitchy personally to be in the vibe of a true Anglo or Continental mens roadster with flat bars - but that said, for less than $500 it would certainly be a lot better bargain than some of the established/exxy "Ye Olde Worlde" Bike marques like Pashley et cetera.
--
Hit me up via the BNA dm; I'll get an alert. If y'know, you know.
Hit me up via the BNA dm; I'll get an alert. If y'know, you know.
-
- Posts: 41
- Joined: Wed May 08, 2013 12:01 pm
Re: Fell in love with this. Papillionaire. Comments? Feedbac
Postby TheWoodenTree » Mon Jul 15, 2013 11:30 am
rkelsen wrote:Seen a few in the flesh. Not a bad bike for the money. It approximately compares to Gazelles costing 3x as much.
But these are just words. You need to take one for a test ride to see if you really like it.
Cool. At least that's some reassurance. I have yet to see one on the roads but I'm really loving the look!
- spirito
- Posts: 1393
- Joined: Fri Nov 28, 2008 2:03 pm
Re: Fell in love with this. Papillionaire. Comments? Feedbac
Postby spirito » Mon Jul 15, 2013 6:13 pm
Having worked on a few of these I'll say save your money and buy something of better quality. They're also needlessly heavy, limited in gearing, ride crap and it just goes to show how much people drool and admire bikes that are totally not suited to our local riding conditions.
Cranky Jim wrote: God did not invent gears. Men invented gears ... because we are not gods.
-
- Posts: 41
- Joined: Wed May 08, 2013 12:01 pm
Re: Fell in love with this. Papillionaire. Comments? Feedbac
Postby TheWoodenTree » Mon Jul 15, 2013 10:59 pm
Recommendations?spirito wrote:Having worked on a few of these I'll say save your money and buy something of better quality. They're also needlessly heavy, limited in gearing, ride crap and it just goes to show how much people drool and admire bikes that are totally not suited to our local riding conditions.
- spirito
- Posts: 1393
- Joined: Fri Nov 28, 2008 2:03 pm
Re: Fell in love with this. Papillionaire. Comments? Feedbac
Postby spirito » Tue Jul 16, 2013 1:57 pm
Up your budget. If it's good, serviceable, rides well, and will last for years then it will cost a lot more than $500 if brand new.TheWoodenTree wrote:
Recommendations?
Or arm yourself with knowledge (there's plenty of info on these forums already) and look for an original period bike.
I understand you'd like something classic looking and traditional but unless you live in an absolute flat world (like Amsterdam) and only do short rides you're in for a world of pain and whatever you spend will be way too much because our bike will sit in the garage and will rarely be used. Try to balance "looks cool" with a) can i lift this thing b) will it be fine to ride on all the roads you plan on riding and c) are all the parts on it things that most every bike shop normally stocks or can service easily. A dutch style bike might look cool but imo is next to useless in our real world conditions or hill terrain, heavy traffic and trickier riding conditions.
I don't have specific recommendations as I am not sure where you live and whats available to you. I would suggest caution about buying a bike from a web retailer as opposed to a local bike shop unless you're handy with tools and are looking to do repairs/maintenance by yourself. The only brand that I have seen that does Retro (and I hate that word) well is Electra, but only the Ticino model. Hammered alloy fenders, their own manufactured components inspired by classics (cranks, centrepull brakes), classic lugged fork crown, a good range of gears and not so heavy. Might have to do some hunting to see who stocks them locally to you.
http://www.electrabike.com/Bikes/ticino ... kes-ladies" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://cycleandstyle.com/2010/09/septem ... as-ticino/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.treehugger.com/cars/finally- ... icino.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.bikeexchange.com.au/bikes/li ... 621&search" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;[newOrUsed]=-1&search[taxon_ids]=1&search[pa_type_id]=&search[bikeMake]=29&search[gender_index]=&search[option_value_ids][]=&search[maxAmt]=0&search[minAmt]=0&search[state]=&search[pc_dist]=5&search[postcode]=&search[q]=ticino&search[orderBy]=-1&search[flag_not_womens]=1
Not as nice but still worthy are bikes by Linus ...
http://www.linusbike.com/models/roadster-8/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Also I know you want something classic and traditional looking but I'd try and ride a current model flat bar road bike of similar value and compare that to the classic bikes you're looking at. Most people I know find the classic inspired bikes more to their aesthetic tastes but after one ride on a modern bike they'll be lying if they don't see how much simpler and easier to ride they are in comparison. I can't underestimate this, I've seen it too man times. It's not unreasonable to want something that looks good and rides well but for that you're going to spend a lot more money as the bike industry is about mass production and price points they can profit on. "Brand new" and "vintage, retro" usually equals crap, poorly made and rides like a truck. If you wanted a true classic bike members of this forum would be happy to help you find something to suit.
Take them all for a ride, buying or thinking about bikes just by their appearance on a computer screen is a great way to waste time and money.
Cranky Jim wrote: God did not invent gears. Men invented gears ... because we are not gods.
- pentlandexile
- Posts: 473
- Joined: Sat Jan 02, 2010 9:48 am
- Location: Brisbane
Re: Fell in love with this. Papillionaire. Comments? Feedbac
Postby pentlandexile » Tue Jul 16, 2013 2:44 pm
On what Spirito said, I just sold my Gazelle Dutch bike. Going up hills wasn't a massive problem, but manoeuvrability in traffic was. Just too slow to accelerate and respond. However they are very very comfy to ride. My bike had a more upright position than this one though.
Long day's journey into alt-bars
-
- Posts: 41
- Joined: Wed May 08, 2013 12:01 pm
Re: Fell in love with this. Papillionaire. Comments? Feedbac
Postby TheWoodenTree » Tue Jul 16, 2013 3:37 pm
Awesome! I do own a MTB which I bought recently. More for fitness use. Was deciding on the Papillionaire bike just for commute. I live in Melbourne, close to town, about 20km round trip. Not much hilly terrain but coupled that with some rack and panniers, my laptop, clothes etc, I'll be lying if I tell you it's a breeze. Another option is to convert my MTB to a commuter, but of course, it's hard to make it look "retro".spirito wrote:Up your budget. If it's good, serviceable, rides well, and will last for years then it will cost a lot more than $500 if brand new.TheWoodenTree wrote:
Recommendations?
Or arm yourself with knowledge (there's plenty of info on these forums already) and look for an original period bike.
I understand you'd like something classic looking and traditional but unless you live in an absolute flat world (like Amsterdam) and only do short rides you're in for a world of pain and whatever you spend will be way too much because our bike will sit in the garage and will rarely be used. Try to balance "looks cool" with a) can i lift this thing b) will it be fine to ride on all the roads you plan on riding and c) are all the parts on it things that most every bike shop normally stocks or can service easily. A dutch style bike might look cool but imo is next to useless in our real world conditions or hill terrain, heavy traffic and trickier riding conditions.
I don't have specific recommendations as I am not sure where you live and whats available to you. I would suggest caution about buying a bike from a web retailer as opposed to a local bike shop unless you're handy with tools and are looking to do repairs/maintenance by yourself. The only brand that I have seen that does Retro (and I hate that word) well is Electra, but only the Ticino model. Hammered alloy fenders, their own manufactured components inspired by classics (cranks, centrepull brakes), classic lugged fork crown, a good range of gears and not so heavy. Might have to do some hunting to see who stocks them locally to you.
http://www.electrabike.com/Bikes/ticino ... kes-ladies" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://cycleandstyle.com/2010/09/septem ... as-ticino/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.treehugger.com/cars/finally- ... icino.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.bikeexchange.com.au/bikes/li ... 621&search" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;[newOrUsed]=-1&search[taxon_ids]=1&search[pa_type_id]=&search[bikeMake]=29&search[gender_index]=&search[option_value_ids][]=&search[maxAmt]=0&search[minAmt]=0&search[state]=&search[pc_dist]=5&search[postcode]=&search[q]=ticino&search[orderBy]=-1&search[flag_not_womens]=1
Not as nice but still worthy are bikes by Linus ...
http://www.linusbike.com/models/roadster-8/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Also I know you want something classic and traditional looking but I'd try and ride a current model flat bar road bike of similar value and compare that to the classic bikes you're looking at. Most people I know find the classic inspired bikes more to their aesthetic tastes but after one ride on a modern bike they'll be lying if they don't see how much simpler and easier to ride they are in comparison. I can't underestimate this, I've seen it too man times. It's not unreasonable to want something that looks good and rides well but for that you're going to spend a lot more money as the bike industry is about mass production and price points they can profit on. "Brand new" and "vintage, retro" usually equals crap, poorly made and rides like a truck. If you wanted a true classic bike members of this forum would be happy to help you find something to suit.
Take them all for a ride, buying or thinking about bikes just by their appearance on a computer screen is a great way to waste time and money.
Good points mate. Thanks for the heads up!
Jump to
- General Australian Cycling Topics
- Info / announcements
- Buying a bike / parts
- General Cycling Discussion
- The Bike Shed
- Cycling Health
- Cycling Safety and Advocacy
- Women's Cycling
- Bike & Gear Reviews
- Cycling Trade
- Stolen Bikes
- Bicycle FAQs
- The Market Place
- Member to Member Bike and Gear Sales
- Want to Buy, Group Buy, Swap
- My Bikes or Gear Elsewhere
- Serious Biking
- Audax / Randonneuring
- Retro biking
- Commuting
- MTB
- Recumbents
- Fixed Gear/ Single Speed
- Track
- Electric Bicycles
- Cyclocross and Gravel Grinding
- Dragsters / Lowriders / Cruisers
- Children's Bikes
- Cargo Bikes and Utility Cycling
- Road Racing
- Road Biking
- Training
- Time Trial
- Triathlon
- International and National Tours and Events
- Cycle Touring
- Touring Australia
- Touring Overseas
- Touring Bikes and Equipment
- Australia
- Western Australia
- New South Wales
- Queensland
- South Australia
- Victoria
- ACT
- Tasmania
- Northern Territory
- Country & Regional
Who is online
Users browsing this forum: tredlie
- All times are UTC+10:00
- Top
- Delete cookies
About the Australian Cycling Forums
The Australian Cycling Forums is a welcoming community where you can ask questions and talk about the type of bikes and cycling topics you like.
Bicycles Network Australia
Forum Information
Connect with BNA
Brought to you by Bicycles Network Australia | © 1999 - 2024 | Powered by phpBB ®
This website uses affiliate links to retail platforms including ebay, amazon, proviz and ribble.
This website uses affiliate links to retail platforms including ebay, amazon, proviz and ribble.