1. The stylish retro looks of the Dawes Duchess
womens hybrid bike really makes it stand out in
the world of commuter and city bikes.
hybrid cloud
2. Although the classic looks are unmistakeable, donÂ’t be misled into
thinking that this is a bike stuck in the 1950s - the fundamental design
and outfitting are those of a modern bike The qualities that are most
emphasised by satisfied purchasers of the Duchess are its good looks,
comfort, quality and value-for-money When you look at how the bike is
put together, you can see how Dawes have managed to achieve this The
frame is steel and comes in either 17" or 19" sizes Colour finishes are
either red/white or purple
3. The benefits of a steel frame are its resistance to damage and the nicely
forgiving ride quality The plain steel front fork is similarly bomb-proof
However, a steel bike is going to be somewhat heavier than say an
aluminium one Weighing in at 16
4. 2 kg the Duchess is no lightweight However for normal commuting and
leisure riding you are unlikely to notice hybrid cloud The derailleur gears
help in this respect Seven speeds are selected with a neat Shimano
thumbshifter and the choice of ratios is towards the lower end, making
coping with hills as easy as possible
5. The wheels are 26” mountain-bike size and the 37mm tyres are wide
enough to smooth out most road buzz, and will not stop you venturing
along paths and trails if you want The Dawes Heritage leather-look
saddle is one of the most comfortable you can get The alloy v-brakes are
pretty good quality and will give the bike all the braking power it needs
The practicality of the Dawes Duchess is enhanced by many other
features
6. There are mud guards and a substantial chain guard to keep you clean
and flat pedals mean that you do not need special shoes There is a front
basket to carry all manner of useful stuff and is supported by a strut to
take the weight Plenty of owners compliment the bike on its looks We
think itÂ’s pretty chic, and the colours good too
7. The Dawes Duchess is priced from around £280 For anybody looking
for some style, but still in a practical and comfortable package, it's a
certain contender Whether itÂ’s for commuting or fun (or both), the
Dawes Duchess should fit the bill Article Tags:
