[Closed] Islabike bikes for over 65's

Nice bike. Still has a few niggles (especially at that price):-

Lack of tubeless ready tyres / rims - tubeless prevents an awful lot of punctures (especially thorns which would be no.1 problem for this type of user). I know it is a faff to set up, but costs very little to give people the option (and can still run tubes if you want). With direct selling, they can give an option to supply ready set up.

Gripshift. It is a perpetual Islabikes complaint from a lot of parents and surely a similar issue for older people with grip problems. I accept trigger shifters might have their own issues (weak thumbs) but an above bar thumbshifter can be operated by the whole hand and pushed using the palm.

Lack of suspension fork option is another puzzler. Supposedly there are other options for people in that market?.... Really? (e.g. a quick search of Evans doesn't throw up any lightweight hardtails £1000-£2000 with a step through frame)

I'm not convinced about needing to be tubeless, the right tyres and good quality tubes are enough to shrug off pretty much everything that the intended use would present and Isla R will have done the research on this (the article points to this). The buyer needs to know how to fix the bike rather than be worrying about sealant.

Lack of suspension fork option is another puzzler. Supposedly there are other options for people in that market?…. Really? (e.g. a quick search of Evans doesn’t throw up any lightweight hardtails £1000-£2000 with a step through frame)

I think she suggesting people who would want a suspension for are looking for a rowdier ride.

Like kids bikes, I get the 'light and simple' for the target customers. That means no suspension fork (low weight, lack of maintenance), tubeless advantages are less if you are not bothered about ultimate speed, more about simplicity.

I think for someone like my father in law - currently rides quite a racey Specialized hybrid as it is light and comfy - but awkward to get on and I had to help him put much fatter tyres on for comfort - these things would be great.

I also think there is a grey pound that doesn't mind spending a good bit if it is 'the best' and I think Isla would fit that model/market.

I like it, no it's not for everyone, but I think I'd rather one of those for when I'm ready to stop pretending I'm rowdy than the defacto battery bike.

See, I think they're pretty overpriced, but that's Isla's model isn't it. People buy something pretty ordinary and think they're getting a premium item cos they paid over the odds for it...
If they were value for money (or nearer it) they would come supplied with decent lights, mudguards and racks already fitted, as oldies will always fit them! I know this - my 79 yo mother's Specialized is adorned with safety features and carryable kit.

Still in 10 years I can get myself an overpriced ugly hybrid. Yay.

You've not read the article then?
Two other bikes in the range that come with guards.

Loads of fittings for luggage.

Personally, I think they're brilliant and can definitely see one in my future.

Not sure they're that overpriced either,certainly not compared to the likes of Surly etc......
And it's very rare you'll hear me saying that. 🙂

Why do islabikes convince themselves gripshift is easier. It’s a perpetual complaint on the kids bikes. It’s just isn’t.

Why do islabikes convince themselves gripshift is easier. It’s a perpetual complaint on the kids bikes. It’s just isn’t.

Kids actually find it really intuitive - my little niece has an Islabike now. It took her a long time to get the hang of a balance bike and then her little singlespeed but now she's on a geared Islabike it's suddenly all clicked. The gear thing often reminds kids of motorbikes so they think it's really cool.

Quite where my 5-yr old niece has picked up the motorbike revving thing from I have no idea (neither of her parents own or ride motorbikes) but she certainly knows it so when she changes gear she shouts VROOOM! as well.

Sram thumbs or the shimano style is fine, as long as the gears are set up properly with the correct cable tension.

Grip shifters are sticky and a bit vague.

That said they all work as long as the bikes set up correctly. That means cables in good condition and a generally well maintained bike

I can see where they're coming from, but for not much more than the £1200 my parents bought Trek Powerfly's in the sales! Ok being E-bikes they have their own measureable gravitational fields when you have to lift them over something, but saving 20lb off the weight of the bike wouldn't help them ride up hills and off road half as much as a 250w motor and 50 mile range does.

That Jimi thing would be good... if it was an ebike

Really think they are missing the market, as in you either want to keep riding a normal bike or want some ebike assistance

On gripshift, bad gripshift is as bad as bad triggers, I ran SRAM X0/GX level stuff and it was precise and light, great shifting and at the time perfect for my recovering thumbs. Not sure what the brand is on these but it can be a great implementation.

See, I think they’re pretty overpriced, but that’s Isla’s model isn’t it. People buy something pretty ordinary and think they’re getting a premium item cos they paid over the odds for it…
If they were value for money (or nearer it) they would come supplied with decent lights, mudguards and racks already fitted, as oldies will always fit them! I know this – my 79 yo mother’s Specialized is adorned with safety features and carryable kit.

Still in 10 years I can get myself an overpriced ugly hybrid. Yay.

Let me guess, you own a Frog bike?

Will it retain its resale value when I push the MIL down the stairs?

Really think they are missing the market, as in you either want to keep riding a normal bike or want some ebike assistance

Read what Isla says about that.

The Joni is basically a non E-bike version of my wife's E-bike.
http://www.wearea2b.com/index.php/uk/e-bike-collection/ferber
The Ferber is the perfect 65+ bike.
Very well built, great brakes, good on hard pack - canal paths.
Gets up very steep hills with ease.