consider both your transportation needs and your personal aesthetic. Ask yourself how far you need to travel, whether your route is hilly, what kind of weather conditions you will face, and how much stuff you need to carry - then buy a bicycle that makes practical sense and also fits your style (you're much more likely to ride your bike if you love your bike!).” And she’s right. There is no point buying a 21 gear mountain bike if all you’re ever going to do with the bike is pootle around the park and go on summer picnics. Similarly, you’d want to think twice about buying a trendy Dutch bike if you’re planning on making a long daily commute. As eye catching and graceful as Dutch style ‘sit up and beg’ bikes are, they can be rather heavy bikes to ride. This may not prove too much of a problem for most people, but if you face an uphill cycle, or have to contend with rows of stairs, you might start to wish that you had plumped for something
slightly lighter. Having said that, one of the most appealing things about these vintage-styled bikes is how much easier on the eye they are compared to some of the sportier and more practical numbers. And because they are slower and heavier machines compared to a mountain bike, they also encourage you to travel at a much more leisurely pace. This is perhaps one of the reasons that this style of bike is so popular with the more fashion conscious, who might be put off at the thought of turning up to a location with more than a hint of a ‘glow’. The more gentle speed of travel not only minimises the chances of you breaking into too much of a sweat but also stops you feeling the need to reach for the dreaded lycra! And there is little point in buying a speedy and capable bike if you are put off by the attire needed to ride it. And there is no need for fashion, or lack of it, to hold you back from anything, least of all cycling... as proved by Chanel.
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