I bought one almost 5 years ago, costing £160. It has served me brilliantly for my daily 16 mile round trip to and from my workplace. I also spend a fair amount of time on the Transpennine trail, having covered it's full length (Southport to Hornsea including the Chesterfield link once and ... Read review
Advantages: lightweight. sturdy. attractive. Disadvantages: not found
I bought one almost 5 years ago, costing £160. It has served me brilliantly for my daily 16 mile round trip to and from my workplace. I also spend a fair amount of time on the Transpennine trail, having covered it's full length (Southport to Hornsea including the Chesterfield link once and the York and Leeds links a few times). The machine has covered a number thousands of miles over the years (wish I'd logged them all) and is still a sound and sturdy ... ...do oil and hose pipe it occasionally. I just replaced both wheels after the rear rim failed due to fair wear and tear and replaced the chain twice, due again, to fair wear and tear (i'm a bit heavy at 15 stone).
I'm looking at this web page at the Optima Blackhawk to see if they're still not phased out, because I really wish I could justify the spend to replace mine.
It's a comfortable ride and a dependable machine that I would recommend ... more
I bought one almost 5 years ago, costing £160. It has served me brilliantly for my daily 16 mile round trip to and from my workplace. I also spend a fair amount of time on the Transpennine trail, having covered it's full length (Southport to Hornsea including the Chesterfield link once and the York and Leeds links a few times). The machine has covered a number thousands of miles over the years (wish I'd logged them all) and is still a sound and sturdy bike for all that. I'm not a chrome polisher but do oil and hose pipe it occasionally. I just replaced both wheels after the rear rim failed due to fair wear and tear and replaced the chain twice, due again, to fair wear and tear (i'm a bit heavy at 15 stone). I'm looking at this web page at the Optima Blackhawk to see if they're still not phased out, because I really wish I could justify the spend to replace mine. It's a comfortable ride and a dependable machine that I would recommend for track, trail and tarmac (using semi-slick tyres) or (with knobbly tyres) rough ground and field riding.
