Pashley Princess Sovereign City Bike Review

PRICE: $1,495

FIND IT AT: britishbicycle.com

Handmade in the UK since 1926, this is the quintessential British town and country bicycle. Features a Sturmey Archer 5-speed internal-gear hub and brakes, chainguard, Brooks England saddle, and dynamo-powered light. Available in select bicycle shops across North America and online. Weighs approximately 44 pounds (20 kg), available in sizes 17.5”, 20”, and 22.5”.

TELL YOUR FRIENDS

The Pashley Princess Sovereign combines quality British design with classic upright style creating the perfect city bike. The body position is non-aggressive and relaxed allowing you to enjoy an easy ride, wherever your destination. This bike comes fully equipped – internal 5-speed hub, mudguards, completely enclosed chain case, skirt guard, a matching steel rear rack with clip, front dynamo light and rear LED light, front wicker basket with support, wheel lock, and even a “ding-dong” bell and air pump! With all that included, the price tag that goes along with it is much more attractive.

WISH LIST

Because Pashley has been designing and building bicycles for close to 100 years, they have really thought of everything the average urban cyclist needs to make riding a bike uncomplicated. There isn’t anything more they could have added to meet my needs for getting around town.

IDEAL RIDER

The Princess Sovereign is the perfect bicycle for someone looking for a sturdy ride to get them around town with ease. Even though the steel bicycle weighs in at about 44 pounds (20 kg), with the 5-speed hub and trigger gear shifts, I actually found the bike easy to navigate up some steeper inclines. The classic frame, in my case in Regency Green, certainly gets noticed on the streets, and all of the accessories made my daily trips to work, the store, and anywhere else so easy that I barely had to think about anything more than enjoying the ride. This is a great bicycle for the daily commuter who is looking for style over speed.

SUMMARY

Overall, this bicycle is fantastic! I want a ride that allows me to simply get on the saddle and go, and the Princess Sovereign definitely provides that. Riding around town was smooth and being upright meant I was comfortable at all times with no added pressure on my joints and muscles. The fact that it also comes with everything I could possibly need for daily riding is a huge bonus. I would recommend this bicycle to anyone looking for a solid, upright city bike that ticks all the boxes.

Melissa Bruntlett is a city-bicycle owner and enthusiast, living in Vancouver, BC. She is co-owner of Modacity, a multi-service consultancy, focused on inspiring healthier, happier, simpler forms of urban mobility through words, photography, and film. When not writing, blogging or consulting, she spends her time riding around her beautiful city with her husband and two young children.

modacitylife.com @mbruntlett