Review: The Bisou from Tokyo Bikes

The Bisou, basking in the sun

Where do you turn to when you've had your Pashley stolen? Although I did love my pastel blue Poppy, it didn't feel right to replace it with the exact same model. Perhaps this was a chance to step out from my traditional frame and try something new.. enter the Bisou from Tokyobikes.

Having passed the very trendy Tokyobike shop many times on my way to Cyclechic HQ, I thought I would pop in and and say hello. The shop is located on Tabernacle Street, Shoreditch and can be spotted by the row of eye-catching coloured bikes lined up outside. The staff are friendly and welcoming with just the right amount of Hoxton cool and there is plenty of  fresh, complimentary coffee circulating. I chat to Neil, the manager and the chap responsible for bringing the bikes over from Japan. He spotted them at a design show, fell in love with them and worked with Tokyo bike to set up a UK store.


The bikes as you may have guessed were designed specifically for cycling in Tokyo but their qualities are just as suited to London, the company philosophy is inviting  "the bikes are designed to be light to ride with an emphasis on comfort over speed. As much about the journey as the destination, we want you to forget about the bike and simply enjoy the ride"

What appealed to me initially about the Bisou was its simple streamlined shape combined with a subtle vintage twist. Although it's not the type of bike I usually ride when I took it for spin round the block, I really enjoyed the power and started to get somewhat attached.

Needless to say 2 weeks later the lovely Brown Bisou left the shop and came home with me and we are getting along famously. Here's a few things I like about it:


Its small and light which results in a nippy, agile and comfortable ride. The wheels are slightly smaller than most bikes and it really makes a difference for certain maneuvers. It's also great for the inevitable stopping and starting of city cycling, making hill starts and setting off at the lights much easier than the more heavy utility bikes I am used to.

The other major plus point of it being light and small is that I can bring it in my flat and it fits perfectly in my hall way. No other bike I have owned has fitted quite so snugly and has been so easy to get in and out. This was the reason my Pashley was stolen because it just wasn't practical to bring indoors.

The riding position is great as the handlebars are sit up and beg, to a certain extent but you don't feel like you are on permanent 'Miss Marple' mode. The saddle is on quick release so its easy to adjust if you want to be more lent over for a speedier ride. Its a bike for both pootling and picking up pace.

The frame is step-through, not curved like more traditional bikes but there is ample space to hop on and off with ease. The saddle is comfy and a gorgeous tan colour, another slightly vintage touch. There is also a handy kick stand and a rather smart alloy chain ring guard.

The bike has 7 gears (derallieur) and it's very easy to change gear with the grip shifter on the handlebar. I tend to stay in gears 4-6. I don't have many hills around me but it would be a great little bike for more hilly areas, where you needed to utilize the lower gears.

Its a calming bike to ride and as my New Years resolution this year was more speed less haste its suiting me down to the ground. It doesn't come with a rack or basket but they can be easily fitted. Tokyo bikes recommend the Wire Wald market basket for the front and Wald rear rack, both  complement the chrome mudguards. I did try it with a child seat on the back but it didn't feel entirely stable. It would probably be OK with a smaller child but as my daughter is nearly 4 the weight was causing the seat to bounce and touch the top of the rear mudguard.

What I really like about the Tokyobike is the cleverly thought out combination of components that make it a highly functional bike for city use. It borrows characteristics from a few different bike types to form an innovative modern bike that caters for the urban market. it also understand the market demand for style and has both elegance and retro charm. The price (£490) may be a bit higher than some city bikes but the overall design justifies the price.

Both the men's and ladies' bikes come in an array of sublime colours, I went for the brown as it was the perfect match for my helmet and new winter boots but I was equally smitten with the saffron and red. One slight worry is that the frame has chipped in a few places but Neil assures me top up paint is available from the store so the inevitable wear and tear can be repaired.

The Bisou has taken me slightly outside of my bicycle comfort zone but the outcome is entirely refreshing and I'm finding that I am cycling more, despite the freezing weather.

On a mission to do some nice little rides this spring (but with the dilemma that I often work from home and don't have that far to cycle) I have devised a plan to cycle to a different London library each week and adopt it as my office... just my laptop my Bisou and me I have a feeling we are going to have a splendid time.

Bisou and Pashley out on the road together with Lady velo and myself

A New Chapter for Bobbin Bicycles

Congratulations to our friends at Bobbin Bicycles on the launch of their own range of branded Bicycles. They are available in shops from London to LA and have the likes of Florence Welch as proud owners. Check out their website for details on the fantastic range of beautiful bicycles,  I have my eye on the blue shopper. More detailed reviews coming soon...

Bikes we want for Christmas No.2 Pashely Guv'nor

As you all know I am a self-confessed Pashley-ite but having waxed lyrical about the ladies bikes I thought I would pick a bike from there mens range with the rather wonderful Guv'nor, The boys are most definitely back in town.

Bikes we wanted for Christmas No.3: Christiana Bike

This would come in so handy for carting my daughter around not to mention the supermarket shop. Available from Velorution

Bikes we wanted for Christmas No.4 Metropole Buttermilk

Yet another cream bike I know... But what I really like about The Metropole by Bronx  is the price - £299!

Bikes we want for Christmas No. 6: Spencer Ivy Electric Bike

There has always been a stigma attached to Electric bikes, for one reason or another they have never really caught on but is that about to change? Spencer Ivy bring you Electric bikes that look rather attractive. Although I am a big fan of pedal power there are some days when I would welcome a bit of help! Price £1895

Bikes we want for Christmas no. 7 Skeppshult London Ladies Bicycle

You may see a slightly disproportionate amount of cream bikes in my top 10, I have a thing about cream bikes and to my delight there seem to be quite a few around. As a London lady, I am loving Skeppshults offering, The London Ladies Bicycle £1450. Not only easy on the eye but a high quality set of wheels. Go on spoil yourself..

Bikes we want for Christmas No.8: Charge Hob

Charge Bikes have a new girls bike in their 2010 / 2011 line called the Hob.  It's a pretty ground braking bike for women as it's a single speed bike which can be ridden either fixed or as a free wheel - but it's drop bar and sweep handle bars allow a relaxed sitting position - somewhere between riding a racer and a dutch bike.
Whats also interesting about this bike is the Mixte frame - where the top tube is replaced with two smaller tubes that run all the way to the rear axle. I saw quite a few Mixte's when I was in the US but you don't see too many over here. They have a functional elegance that I rather like.

 

No. 9: Gold Plated Brompton

Gold Plated Brompton

At £1900 a somewhat decadent choice of wheels but if we have the money we would! And Brompton's famous folding design would sure come in handy as we wouldn't want to leave this baby anywhere! I have to adnit I have often admired Brompton's from afar but have never owned one. Myabe next year I will invest but I think I will settle for Turkish green rather than the Bling-tastic gold! Avilable to buy from Be Golden.

Cyclechic's top 10 bikes for Christmas, No.10 - The Raleigh Superbe Roadster

The Raleigh Superbe Roadster - Raleigh are going back to their roots with this beautifully classic bicycle. It only seem to be available in the USA at the mo but hopefully they'll be bring it over to the UK soon. As a big fan of the Raleigh's heritage bikes, it great to see some of their classic style back. And it'd no just for us ladies theres a chaps version too.

Are you dreaming of a bike this Christmas, if so let me know which one?

Velorbis's Easyrider: The Studine Balloon

The Studine Balloon is a bike that will make you smile. It's the latest from Velorbis, the experts in elegant bicycles. What I love about this bike is the mix of old and new. It has the basic design of a classic Dutch bike but with a modern, edgy twist. If you find the regular Dutch bikes a touch twee and fancy something with a bit more macho, the Studine is your man .. or woman, the Studine Balloon comes in both a ladies and a gents version.
My partner, who has now come to accept my bike porn problem, barely bats an eyelid when I arrive home on a new bike. However when seeing the Studine Ballon parked outside the house he rushed in proclaiming it was the Harley Davidson of bicycles and whisked it off for a test ride before I could say... Harley Davidson. There is an undoubtable coolness about this bike, it attracts attention and gets eyed up like a girl in a short skirt.
What makes a Velorbis bike so special is the design. The combination of components have been extremely well thought, the aluminium grey frame, the cream Fat Frank tyres and the honey leather brooks saddle, compliment each other superbly. The Fat Frank tyres are my personal favourite feature, it is this contemporary twist that sets the Studine apart from other dutch bikes on the road, making it so easy on the eye and easy to ride.

The Studine has 3 gears (sturmey archer) which personally suits me down to the ground. This may not suit everyone but if, like me, you cycle day to day; to the shops, the office, school run and you don't have copious hills to contend with, 3 gear works just fine. It's simple and cuts out a whole lot of faffing.
And finally all Studines have the all important Kickstand, as this is a bike that deserves to be upright and on display!
This unique take on the Dutch bike also has a respectable price tag of £545. Order from us at cyclechic.co.uk or get in touch if you would like more information

Bike of the month - the Pashley Poppy

Firstly, a quick confession. I haven’t owned a ladies’ bike since I was eight and my parents bought me a Raleigh Bianca from a jumble sale.

I’ve always written off ladies’ bikes as impractical and a triumph of style over substance. Then I saw and fell in love with the Pashley Poppy. I don’t know whether it was the fabulous blush-pink shade, the elegant shape or those stunning creamy tyres that convinced me, but it didn’t take long before one was on order. After all, if a pink bike is good enough for Sarah Michelle Gellar, it's good enough for me.

Suddenly instead of hurtling into work feeling smug about my practical choice of boy’s mountain bicycle, I was resentfully slugging around counting down the days til my Poppy arrived.

At nearly £400 the Poppy isn’t cheap, but Pashley is a quality brand and you get what you pay for in workmanship. Depending on your views, it’s probably worth the £400 just for the immense amount of male attention a Poppy commands.

Even just picking my bike up, I was flirted with to within an inch of my life. Polite and uber-charming male assistants flocked around me, painstakingly talking me through every possible aspect of my new wheels.

Considering when I bought my mountain bike I was ignored for 20 minutes, then patronised so heavily I actually left the store and only came back when a female assistant was on duty, this was a definite improvement.

Pedalling home, I was conscious of all eyes on me. Apparently it’s not every day you see a bright pink bike on the streets of Streatham. Again, I’m taking this as a good thing if it can persuade motorists to occasionally allow me right of way and not simply try and push me and my fellow cyclists into the gutter.

The Poppy isn’t just a pretty face. The large, thin tyres mean it can pick up speed a good deal easier than a clunking mountain bike with wide, grippy tyres. It’s also exceptionally comfortable, largely thanks to the wonderful sprung saddle.

But the biggest surprise to me is how user-friendly the Poppy is.

I was a little apprehensive it would be too fragile to cope with the demands of a daily commute, especially as my journey to work takes me down a rather bumpy riverside towpath. In fact the Poppy is solidly put together, and it doesn’t just whizz down the towpath a treat, it actually gets me to work quicker than my old mountain bike.

And did I mention that it’s beautiful? It genuinely is a stunning looking bike, right down to the polished silver wheels and adorable matching silver pump.

There are a couple of negatives. Firstly, it’s a heavy bike, especially if you have a rack fitted for panniers. It’s not the kind of bike you can sling over your shoulder and haul up two flights of stairs, but on the plus side, it’s so pretty it’ll probably charm a nice strong man into carrying it for you.

But the biggest risk of the Poppy is the amount of money you’ll end up setting aside for accessories. Instead of bog-standard lights, I’ve got my eye on a set of Knog Frog lights in ice blue. My old grey panniers will have to make way for a far prettier cherry blossom pannier. The lovely curved silver handlebars are just begging for a traditional wicker basket to be fitted. And the idea of keeping my Poppy outside in the cold and the rain just doesn’t bear thinking about, so until the budget can stretch to this cute little garden shed, she’ll be kept indoors overnight. A bike this gorgeous deserves the best.  

March's Bike of the Month - The Oma Classic from Dutchie

March … The perfect month to buy a bike and start cycling. I bought my first set of wheels in the month of March a few years ago and have never looked back.

When you begin your search for your two-wheeled friend, don’t get bullied into buying some charmless hybrid. Consider all your options, one of which should be to ‘go Dutch’.

I am a big fan of Dutch bikes so am particularly excited when a new brand comes on the market. The new kid on the block this spring is Dutchie and they seem to be causing quite a stir. They do both mens Dutch bikes and ladies Dutch bikes so something for everyone.

We test rode their flagship bicylce, the Oma Classic , of it’s many redeeming features what is particularly inviting about the Oma is the price…. only £289. A lot of the Dutch Style bikes on the market tend to creep up to twice this amount so the Dutchie is an aptly timed bargain!



The elegant Oma was delivered to my door and as I excitedly climbed aboard, I was quickly reprimanded by my partner. At 8 months pregnant he did not think I should be trying out a new bike no matter how pretty is was! After a little sulking I turned to my Cyclechic colleague to do the dirty work and decided to talk to a real Dutchie customer to get a full rounded view.

We first spoke to recent, very happy customer, Rachel Kinnaird. Rachel came to us to buy a helmet and, on seeing our Dutchie parked outside, stopped dead in her tracks and lovingly proclaimed “I have this bike!”. I asked her how she found it and she simply replied, “I’m effervescent….

So over to Rachel…

I am LOVING my Dutchie, as are others judging from the number of head-turners I've clocked up ! Great design, fabulous looking, rides like a dream. It’s an effortless, smooth ride, great seated position enabling better visibility of traffic, feeling safer.

Extras like the demobilizing lock & bike stand are really smart and the Skirt & chain guards take the hassle out of wondering what to wear, wardrobe as per usual, hoorah !

Dutchie is currently an online retailer, which makes them quick, and easy to buy from, wherever you are in the UK. They will deliver to your door FREE of charge and the bike will be 95% assembled on arrival so you don’t need to be a grease monkey to put it together. It’s simply a case of tightening the front wheel and handle bars… phew!

At Cyclechic we are using the Dutchie for all our chores and errands and my colleague, the lovely Lavinia, has been in the hot… saddle. Lavinia was also very taken with Dutchie but as a stoic cyclist she did point out that if you have only ever ridden a regular bike, you do need to ease yourself in gently. Dutch bikes have certain features that at first can be a little confusing. Her 3 things to look out for are;

1.Back pedal break – Instead of breaking with two brakes on the handle bars you back pedal to bring the bike to a stop and you have one break for the front hub on the handle bar . If you wanted to stick to regular breaks you could go for Dutchie’s Starlite bicycle

2.The handle bars are wider so your steering action will differ.

It’s probably a good idea if you are making the switch to get yourself used to these features in the park before you take to the busy roads. It will soon become second nature but don’t give you the stress of adjusting while contending with busy traffic.

Oh and most importantly...

3. You may find yourself being drawn to your reflection as you pass shop windows because you look so darn good. Please have a quick glance but no prolonged staring as this could lead to accidents as well as an inflated ego!

You can however send photos of yourself looking wonderful on your Dutchie to Me and my Dutchie and they will publish it in their family album on the website.


In summary the Dutchie Oma Classic is the perfect for a gentle commute, school run or errands around town. It also looks fabulous and makes you feel fabulous, and being cheaper and lighter than a lot of its competitors … you can’t go wrong!

Cyclechic's little black book: Bikeworks, East London

Bikeworks is a social enterprise based in Victoria Park in East London. If your looking to buy a bike they have a tasty collection of second-hand/recycled bikes on offer like this rather beautiful Spacemaster pictured above - am just loving the white saddle and white handle bar grips

The team running bikeworks offer cycle training and maintenance training... and seem like jolly nice chaps to boot!

September's bike of the Month - The Velorbis Victoria

This is Cyclechic’s first bike of the month review. Each month we will pick out a bike that meets Cyclechic’s strict requirements of encompassing practicality, safety and of course, style.

This month’s bike is The Velorbis Victoria.Velorbis bicycles are designed in Denmark, made in Germany and are sold all over the world. For more details on suppliers and ordering email sales@velorbis.com

When first setting eyes on the Velorbis I was overwhelmed by its gravitas. The Victoria is a grand bike that instantly makes you feel important when you hop aboard. Over the next week of riding the Velorbis around town it was clear that it was not just me that noticed its regal quality. It seemed my social status was elevating as a result of my new set of wheels.

Having recently moved house to a new area we have found the neighbours a little less than forthcoming. However, one evening last week, as I was arriving home on Lady Victoria, our first neighbourly friendship was formed. As I cycled up to the house, the couple next door turned their attention from the gardening to gush over the bike and after polite introductions we had secured an invite over for drinks! I have also noticed that cars give me more space, I have received complements at the lights from fellow cyclists and even had one chap insist on holding open the gates to my local park as I cycled through. It seems this bike is opening doors to me both socially and literally.

On a more technical note the bike is a dream to ride. Velorbis manage to combine the classic style of a Dutch bike with the agility of a good city bike. Some Dutch bikes can feel a bit like hard work on hills but the Velorbis does not seem to struggle. The upright position can take a little bit of getting used to but you’ll soon adjust and reap the benefits of being more visible to traffic.


The details on the bike are exquisite. The mechanics at the bike shop, where I picked it up from, were pointing out all the different features and components to me in true bike geek excitement. While a lot of it went over my head, I particularly like the leather Brooks saddle, handle bar straps and leather mud flaps. Another really nice detail is the stabiliser at the front that prevents your steering from going wonky due to the weight in the basket.


I took my Velorbis for a day out in Hampton; it seemed very at home in a traditional English village environment. Stopping at the butcher and the baker and finally ending up in the good old-fashioned British pub!

London’s Alternative Bike shops, One East One West

‘Sick’ in Shoreditch sells a smorgasbord of French-Vintage paraphernalia from ball-gowns to bicycles. As with a lot of things when the French do cycling they like to do it in Style therefore there are a lot of beautiful bikes made in France. The eclectic mix of second hand bikes they sell range from £70-£200 they also sell frames, prices starting from £30.
The bicycles not only have a stylish edge but are good reliable city bikes and many of them come with rather splendid retro panniers. The only slight downfall of buying a French bike is that it may be a little difficult to get spare parts but this brings me to West London’s Alternative Bike shop; Notting Hill’s Bicycle workshop….

As a lover of vintage/second hand bikes I fully applaud this bike shop on the bohemian All Saints road in West London.
The owner of bicycle workshop, Nino is not interested in selling you a shiny new Hybrid with zillions of gears but instead would rather help you do up an old bike and join the vintage bicycle brigade. They are experts on older bikes and have a wide range of parts so they can get almost any bike back on the road.
You can take your bike down to the very popular Saturday morning open workshop although you may need to get there early as the workshop can get very busy in spring and summer
Another service they offer is to help you find a good vintage bike on eBay. Once you've bought it, you can bring it in and they will do any repairs necessary to get you on the road. This is such a great idea as there are so many wonderful, stylish ladies bike from the 70/s and 80's that are just rusting way in people garages crying out to have a bonny lass back aboard.
I have a friend who recently combined the services of both shops. She bought a beautiful white Peugeot from Sick, was struggling to get replacement inner tubes so took her bike to the bicycle workshop where she was fitted the right tubes and was merrily on her way.
Check out their website for further details The Bicycle workshop

My top 3 bike shops in London

1. Bobbin Bicycles is my current favourte. They sell range of elegant Dutch bicycles, pictured above is the Bobbin Play bike, along with vintage style accessories. Based in Clerkenwell they operate on an appointment only basis so you can be sure you will have the undivided attention of either Sian or Tom, the company owners. The shopping experience is about as differnet as you can get from your 'Evans' style service, the focus being much more on how you feel on the bike than the technical details. The icing on the cake is the price, bikes range from £200-£260 around half the price of other Dutch bikes on the market.

2. Camden Cycles is a fantastic shop if you're looking for a bike to get you going and don't want to spend much money. They specilaise in re-conditioned second-hand bikes, prices starting at around £60. They also sell last years models of reliable brands like Ridgeback, Tiger and Claude Butler, prices range from £100-£200. For the nervous beginner they operate a 2 week return policy and a 1 year guarntee for repairs if anything goes wrong with the bike. Tony, the manager is friendly and enthusiastic and will go out of his way to find the right bike for you.

3. Velorution is by far the most stylish bike shop in London. Selling a wide range of high end bikes from your classic Pashleys and Bromptons to unique European bikes that you just dont see anywhere else in the UK. If you have some money to spend and are looking for a bike to impress Velorution is your shop. Even if the bikes are beyond your budget it's worth popping in to have a look, the shop is just off Oxford Street and really is a feast for the eyes. They also have a range of stylish accessories on sale.

Let me know other Bike shops you like...

Fancy Folding?

Folding bikes are great for jet-setters like the lovely Dawn Porter pictured above. You can fold them up and take them on a train, plane, boat, coach… unfold and cycle away at the other end.

They are also great for the social butterfly as you can take them into pubs and bars and pop them under your table or, if going the the Theatre, put them in the cloakroom

They are also the perfect option if you commute into London from Brighton or somewhere similar that’s just too far to cycle everyday. Take them on the train with you and then cycle to the office and avoid the overcrowded tubes.

The Brompton seems to be the ‘daddy’ of the commuting folders. Incredibly well crafted, they fold and unfold in 15 seconds and will last you many years if looked after well. Phoenix cycles in Battersea, have a fantastic range of Bromptons in an assortment of colours from baby pink and blue to more elegant cream and royal blue to outspoken bright orange and green. Another good shop for folders is On your bike which also sells slightly cheaper brands such as Dahon’s.

Second hand in Style

If you are a vintage lover on a budget then buying a second hand bike is definitely the way to go. Not only do they have character and retro charm but you can get some incredibly well built, reliable bikes for a fraction of their original price….and for all you green goddesses this is taking re-cycling to a whole new level!

5 CycleChic recommendations for second hand shopping

1. Camden Cycles
They specialise in re-conditioned bikes, this means all second hand bikes are fully repaired so there is no chance of being sold a dodgy set of wheels. You can get some great brgain here, the baby blue retro racer pictured above was on sale for the bargain price of £69.


2. Recycling in Elephant Castle is another good second hand bike shop
They will let you test ride but can be a little pushy so perhaps take a friend for moral support.

3. Ebay - go for bikes that are in your area or you may find you are spending more on getting the bike to you than you do on the actual bike. Ensure there is a good photo of the bike and plenty of information and if possible try and have a phone conversation with the seller to be sure you know exactly what your getting.

4.Gumtree is great as It's London based and you can get a bike for as little as £20. Same tips as above though, ensure you see a picture and get all the info before you buy. You could also try Going Going Bike, a new ebay style auction site dedicated to bikes

5. Re-Buy-cycle is a great website specializing in retro, vintage bikes, you can buy online.

The LCC website has a list of all the bike shops in London that sell second hand bikes. Some sell more than others so make sure you phone the shop before you turn up.

Perfectly Pashley

Perched elegantly on your Pashley you certainly will turn heads. With model names like Sonnet Bliss and Princess Sovereign the Pashley’s really do have all the classic charm and decadence you could want from a bicycle. And although you may feel like you should be cycling through a grassy meadow in a Merchant Ivory film they are actually very good city bikes.
All the classic bikes come with a spacious front wicker basket for you handbag, shopping, lapdog…. They also have the charmingly named double scoop in their tube rider range, a combination of classic elegance and modern chic (pictured above)
For more details go to the Pashley website There are 38 bike shops in London that stock Pashley’s, take a look at their Dealer list for specific details. Prices range from £435 - £545.