Advice re: new bike

[Wallie]

Hi, this is my first posting after reading, with a lot of interest, the posts of others. I have decided to take the plunge and have settled on a Kalkhoff Agguta which I will need to buy from 50cycles. The question I have is whether there is any real difference (apart from looks) between a diamond frame and a walk thru. As a female cyclist, it doesn't make a lot of difference to me but do they handle differently, are they as robust, and is there a difference in second hand value etc? Any advice would be gratefully received.

 

[flecc]

The Agattu step through frame is as rigid as any crossbar bike I've ever ridden in many cycling years, so I'd advise that. I'd be very happy to use it in any high load way, like a high mounted child seat on the carrier or towing a heavy trailer.

I don't know of any other current step though I'd be as confident about, most having some flex which I dislike when pedalling hard.

Second hand value of the crossbar model is probably higher, but it's also a greater theft risk. No-one usually steals step throughs because the market is more limited.
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[Wallie]

That's a thought - I hadn't considered the theft angle, particularly as it will be parked outside of my place of work. Also, what are your views on puncture proof tyres - I'm not very technical and have never got the hang of repairing punctures. Do they work or are the Kalkhoff tyres resilient?

 

[Citrus]

They are very good and free rolling until you hit glass. My rear tyre got a glass slash after only 200 miles of cycling. I switched both the front and rear tyres for Schwabe marathons (the original ones not the plus version). These roll very freely too and I think the are slightly more puncture resistant than the Continental City's that come with the Agattu (although glass slashes will wreck most tyres). Changing an inner tube is easy on these bikes because the motor drives through the chain - just learn how to do that for peace of mind. Actually you should probably change the inner tubes anyway when you get it as the valves are Woods valves and these are a pain and pretty non-standard. Change them for inner tubes with schraedar (car) type valves.

 

[Wallie]

That's really helpful advice - thanks. I think our local council is running a course on bike maintenance so I'll go to that and learn how to do the puncture repair thing properly - the problem that I have is that I was never taught.

 

[flecc]

That's really helpful advice - thanks. I think our local council is running a course on bike maintenance so I'll go to that and learn how to do the puncture repair thing properly - the problem that I have is that I was never taught.

That's definitely best. As Citrus says there's not much in it between the CityRide and standard Marathon tyres, though the expensive Marathon Plus tyres are far more puncture resistant. I cheerfully don't bother to avoid the fragmented glass which is everywhere in my urban fringe area with them fitted on my two bikes. The only thing that ever got through a Marathon Plus tyre with me was a long blackthorn.

However, it's important to know how to mend punctures, whatever tyres are used.
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[HarryB]

When I got the bike out this morning it had a semi flat tyre. I thought the marathon plus tyres had let me down with a slow puncture. However I have pumped it up and shows no sign of going down yet (after a whole day's riding) so I am confused. Any ideas - nobody could have got at the bike to let the tyre down which was my first thought? Apart from this mishap I am very pleased with the tyres, peace of mind etc.

 

[flecc]

The only thing I can think of is the valve playing up. Odd though.
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