Novara Mia Women’s Bike 2007

BUY AT: REI

I have been on the hunt for a bike and let me tell you this has been no small task. I’d wanted a cruiser type bike that was just for getting around town, would allow me to wear dresses and have room for a basket. That’s all. I liked the handle bars that turned in and allowed for a more upright seating position - just like the ones you see all over Europe.

However. This is not Europe.

So finding a simple, sturdy bike in stores has been hard; most bikes are hybrids or mountain or street. If there are cruisers, they’re those townies for old people where you don’t feel like you’re working anything (think flat feet technology bikes). On top of that, almost every girl bike I looked at was bright pink or bright red or yellow or had paintings all over it or these totally girly baskets. I couldn’t find a simple, dark blue bike anywhere.

I tried Craigslist and went and saw a few of the old Schwinn cruisers which I loved. But the people selling them always wanted $150 - $200 for bikes that would need tune ups and for a second hand bike, that always seemed high. And the colours were never right. I went to bike dealers and second hand shoppes and scoured the internet. I tried Electra’s, Schwinns, Torque’s and so forth. Came close to Schwinn but they’re now going into Targets so the quality of the 2007’s are down and the colours of the 2006’s are terrible. Saw an Electra I could like but it was close to $600 and just too girly.

I realised after trying a few that, due to the fact my one ankle doesn’t bend, I can’t have brakes in the pedals. And because where I live has hills, I needed at least a 7 speed. I thought my quest was futile until an unexpected trip to REI where I discovered their own like of bikes, the Navara.

Several years ago I had a Navara Mountain bike which suited my needs just fine because I was doing more mountain and trail riding. But now I just wanted something for fetching groceries and getting to some stores. This bike is perfect; feels like a cruiser but rides like a really great road bike. The step through frame is perfect for wearing skirts. It’s pretty light (I can load it onto a bus rack), it has shocks for comfort, the handle bars turn in, it’s 24 gears turn nicely.

And the colour? Ok, so it’s a little girly but so less than more than others I’ve seen. And whether I’m cruising to the market or taking it for a little more trail, this bike will do it all. Now I just need a basket.