Bell's Bicycles in Hastings are proud to be one of the UK's leading stockist of Bobbin Bikes.
Since Bobbin Bicycles hit the streets of London just a few years ago, they have caused an explosion in the cycling community. They can proudly take responsibility for getting loads of us back into the wonderful world of cycling, often just from a double take when passing a bike shop.
Each year the Bobbin family grows and now in 2015, the Bobbin range has started to creep into other disciplines of cycling. Still with retro styling but lighter frames and improved geometry you can now be a racer, a pootler, and anything in between on a Bobbin.
With all this choice we thought it would be helpful to do a short Bell's Bicycles review on a few Bobbin models; as honest as possible, outlining the pros and cons. As proud Bobbin Bike owners ourselves we have experienced the highs and the lows of the various models, so here goes!
Never has a better range of colours graced Bells Bicycles than the new Bobbin 2014 spring collection. Leading this chocolate box of delights is the perfectly formed Bobbin Birdie in a fabulous range of matte finishes from sage green to sun glow yellow, just in time for spring, Bobbin have once again come up trumps.
While retaining the fine features of the 2013 Bobbin Birdie, the new model has upped its game with a higher quality finish and detailing. With a little sass and careful design, the Birdie has entered the big league!
Bobbin Birdie new to 2014 - Sunglow yellow
Bobbin Birdie New to 2014 - pastel blue
Bobbin Birdie new to 2014 - lip stick red
Bobbin Birdie new to 2014 - sage green
Never have waterproofs felt so needed as during this very windy, very wet season. Cycling to work everyday in the rain can actually be fun if in the right attire (head to toe goretex) but there is no escaping the fact that at best we look like an anonymous blob.
So, when we were contacted by the lovely Otto himself from Otto London with a suggestion that we stock his beautiful cotton lined waterproof rain cape, naturally we jumped at the chance.
It's important to remember that the Otto London poncho isn't your average bike cape. For a start they look great, they don't flap about in the wind to create a sail and the neat, slim fit means you look just as great on and off your bike.
Having the Otto London capes at Bells have brought many folk to the shop who are not cyclists and don't intend to cycle in them. These are the top five reasons we've discovered from customers for wearing an Otto rain cape off your bike:
1) Dog walking. It seems as though people are keen to brighten up their wet dog walk and who can blame them.
2) The school run. Gather all your children under your cape whilst you wait for the bell to summon.
3) The wet walk to work. Pop your bag/rucksack under your cape for dry sandwiches.
4) Out with your baby. The handy slips that protect your arms and hands while cycling work equally well with a buggy and stop your legs getting wet.
5) Layering up. What a coat will never be able to achieve is allow you to put on as many jumpers + a rucksack and still fit comfortably under it.
If you are convinced by the benefits of an Otto London poncho, you can look at the whole colour range in our acessories section.
