Yet another (but lightweight) gf build.

My other half's birthday is coming up in April and I want to get her a bike that she will actually ride and get some use out of. I think dutch style/ hybrid bike is the way to go but have been disappointed looking at Bobbin, Pendleton etc. They're all bottom end spec and so heavy! (15KG+) A real shame, there's a gap in the market here. I think a custom build is the way to go, for under £300 think I can do something much better around the 10kg mark.

Plan is to powder coat a frame in RAL6027 (celeste) and add brown leather saddle and grips, probably the obligatory wicker basket as well. Inspiration (have searched high and low for a decent 531 mixte in 17" but no luck):

Starting point is this Ridgeback hybrid frame I picked up cheap. Alloy step through frame (1.5kg) + steel fork (1kg). Not ideal but much lighter than a gas pipe frame.

Component wise have the following options:

1. Transfer parts from her old, too large Raleigh Pioneer with 3 speed Sturmey Archer hub. Will still need to buy V brakes, levers, new stem and headset as the Ridgeback is 1 1/8 threaded. Also needs new tyres, saddle, grips etc. Estimate around £230 cost. Haven't been able to set hub gears set up properly, I think due to dodgy shifter , but could be a dead end if hub is knackered . Also not sure 3 speeds is suitable for hilly Bristol.

2. Complete new build with 1 x 8 Alivio/Deore group, new wheels. Estimate this will come in nearer £380 (including sale of old bike) so over budget.

3. Find a donor bike for parts, difficult to find something in good condition / of good quality. I have seen a Pinnacle Neon 1 for sale locally so this could be used for parts or failing that just respray the Neon instead and add some North Road bars. It doesn't quite have the classic look or step through frame so I'm not sure if this will look a bit weird? It does come in under 10KG though! Estimate total cost £280 (including sale of old bike).

So ended up buying the Pinnacle, figured it was a good enough price even as a donor bike. Road it home with the seatpost fully up and its a blast, really fast! In fact is was so comfy it's convinced me to switch to upright bars on my ss road bike! I was also really impressed with the acera groupset, I'm generally a bit snobby about low end groups but it shifts really smoothly.

Ended up telling my other half, so its no longer a surprise but wanted to check i had the sizing right (and had nowhere to hide it). She road the Pinnacle round the block and liked it , especially how light it is (9.5kg) but said she'd like the bars in a higher, less aggressive position. I think it's pretty much a flat bar road bike.

So I'm choosing now between painting the Pinnacle and swapping out the bars to north road style and maybe an adjustable ahead stem to get it higher, though I think these stems are pretty ugly. I'm not sure if this'll make the bike too cramped though? Also the forks are not exactly feminine or classic looking. I guess it look something like this, kind of neo-retro:

but in the RAL 6027 (excuse the photoshopping!) :

Or I swap the components to the Ridgeback frame and get a 1 1/8" quill and North road bars. Although it'll be heavier (steel fork) I think it may be more of what she want in aesthetics and handling. Also hopefully will be lower in weight than standard stock model. The frame is 1759g and the fork is 1119g. Reckon Ill be able to keep it near 10kg with the Pinnacle components?

I say stick to Pinnacle, it can look classy enough with new saddle, grips, tyres (gumwall?) and is modern, leighter and has a-head set up (longer stem and positive rise might be needed with swept back bars).

I totally agree if it were my bike, but realistically she's looking for comfort over performance and will prefer the looks of the Ridgeback. (That Pinnacle fork is a beast!) This will only be for pootling around town. Ahead stems don't exactly look refined on this type of bike with all their protruding bolts. Also a long quill has the advantage of height adjustment and its not like I'll need to remove the bars that often. All the other components will be moved over from the Pinnacle so will keep the modern advantages. I guess I could always hold on to the Pinnacle frame for the future if she starts riding more..

Another vote for the Pinnacle - you know all the bits work on that frame. That will be less certain with the Ridgeback. A quick respray and it's all good.

But it is up to your other half though.

Can't imagine that steel fork offering much comfort either, it's going to be down to tyres, pressure and grips. Are you sure that ridgeback takes 28" wheels?

Yes, checked the spec on both, 700c

A-head can be classy!

Velo Orange? I wonder if they do a raised version..

8bar had a massive sale on their frames. Worth a look.

Yes VO, they only do 17 degree. but you could get the rise from the swept back bars.
also should note that it's OS but nothing a shim can't fix

this is the best I've seen ..

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Cheers, they're very nice but probably over budget, plus I've already go 2 on my hands!

why not use a bar with more rise than the north road, like a nitto bosco or VO left bank etc and have a 10/17 degree stem?

Ok so I asked her last night and she prefers the step through, though wasn't overly bothered which one, but of course also wants a wicker basket! Not sure how well that'll work on the pinnacle, practically and aesthetically. I'm not sure there will be the height from the bars to fit one ? I think I'll strip down the pinnacle tonight and try and get an idea of the frame weight difference , then I'll be able to estimate the total weight of both builds

Quick update - the frame and fork weight difference was only 300g, not enough for her to notice over the comfort factor so went for the Ridgeback.

Just got it back from the powdercoaters in RAL 6027. Colour is great, though I'm a little disappointed in the finish, there are quite a few pinholes all over the frame. Only really visible on close inspection but still annoying as this powdercoater has a good reputation for bike frames. I've waited 3 week as they told me there were a few pinholes on the seat tube and wanted to strip and repaint. I wasn't expecting any the 2nd time so didn't unwrap it till I got home. They've offered to repaint but it means another long wait and cost / time of getting it there and back. Plus I've already missed her birthday by 2 weeks due to the delay so am reluctant to wait any longer. Didn't have this problem with the other powder coaters I used for my frame and these guys are supposed to be better

Shame about the pin holes, but the colour looks ace

Yes it's a lovely colour . He's offered to repaint , I'm going to do it as it'll forever annoy me if I leave it , let's hope it's good 3rd time !

Update - eventually got the frame back after 2 more resprays (paint turned out to be contaminated). Really happy with final finish.

Complete build comes in at 11 kg, pretty pleased with this as bobbin bikes are around 14-15. I think the saddle is accounting for a fair amount of weight! Got a 350mm seatpost in there that could cut right down to save some weight. Just waiting on a basket support.

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... and mudguards to keep mess off dress!

Looks very nice though.

Cheers, yeah muddy, cold winter's gonna be upon us before we know it !

Original Pinnacle frame and parts are for sale here:

https://www.lfgss.com/conversations/290440/#comment13123562