Pendleton bikes
If, like Victoria Pendleton, you’ve beaten the world’s best track cyclists by winning gold on the Olympic stage and climbed to the top of the ladder in cycling, what else is left to do? Launch your own range of bikes, that’s what!
Despite her competiton background, Pendleton’s bikes are far from the bone-shaking, high-tech track bikes she’s used to riding; her range of ladies bikes are of the sit-up-and-beg variety, a stylish mix of classic styling with contemporary components.
The Pendleton bikes range was launched in the UK in 2012 and is for sale exclusively at Halfords, although if you’re in the market for a second hand example, you can now find plenty on Gumtree and eBay.
Pendleton was in a position to influence female cycling and wanted to get more women on bikes and hence this range on good looking women’s bicycles was introduced.
Pendleton bikes range
There are five bikes in the Pendleton range, the Somerby, Brooke, Ashwell, Dalby and Drake. They’re all classed as ‘hybrid bikes’. A hybrid bicycle is one that combines features from a road bike, mountain bike and a touring bike to create an ‘all-purpose’ bike that’s stable, comfortable and easy to use; making them a perfect choice for beginners.
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While the Pendleton bikes range are all hybrid bikes, they do take on different styles, from classic English upright ‘sit up and beg’ styles like the Ashwell, to a more modern urban bicycle like the Drake.
Pendleton Ashwell
£349
The Pendleton Ashwell Hybrid Bike looks like it came from the set of Downton Abbey. It’s an upright ladies bicycle, also known as a sit-up-and-beg or step-through. The riding position coupled with wide seat are designed to make this a comfortable bicycle for casual cycling. It doesn’t feature suspension but it does have a sprung seat, for added comfort.
It has five-speed gearing and is available in two frame sizes, 17″ and 19″ The standard accessories consist of built in mudguards a chainguard, luggage rack to carry panniers and 700C wheels which are designed for a more comfortable ride.
It’s a popular bike, scoring 4 out of 5 stars from six owner reviews on the Halfords website.
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Pendleton Brooke
£249
The Pendleton Brooke hybrid bike looks more like a traditional mountain bike and its specification is very similar. It’s based around a lightweight alloy frame which is available in 16″ and 18″ sizes and features 24-speed gears, three on the front and eight on the rear.
It’s designed to be ridden on a variety of surfaces, from town roads to gravel trails, paths and even muddy stuff. It features 26″ wheels, comfortable handlebar grips and leather-style saddle and non-slip pedals. It weights in at 12.9kgs, which is fairly lightweight for a bicycle in the hybrid category.
It’s clearly a well-reviewed bike, with 4.8 out of 5 stars from 35 reviews on the Halfords website.
Pendleton Initial
£249 (RRP £399)
The Pendleton Initial is the women’s specific road bicycle in the Pendleton range. It’s perfect for women who are looking to get into road cycling, or want a road bike for commuting to work.
A classic blue finish is complemented by the rainbow stripes which celebrate Victoria Pendletons achievements in the world of cycling, and this is a bike that certainly looks the business.
The women’s specific alloy frame is available in small and medium, and the 16 gears will be enough to get you up most hills. It comes with a comfortable women’s specific saddle.
Read the full review of the Pendleton Initial Women’s Road Bike.
Pendleton Dalby
£299
The Pendleton Dalby hybrid bike is more of a road-orientated bike, aimed at those cycling for fitness or leisure. It comes in a 16″ or 18″ frame size and features 16-speed gears and road-biased wheels (less tread for a smoother ride), making it a great choice for the commuter, or, if you don’t opt for a bicycle on the daily commute (you should!), it’ll make a great weekend bike too.
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The slimline mudguards are standard fitment, meaning it’s a versatile all-year bicycle for the casual cyclist or committed commuter. It weighs in at 13.9kgs and has been well reviewed on the Halfords website, scoring 4.4 out of 5 stars from 9 reviews.
Pendleton Drake
£249
If minimalist urban bikes and cruisng around town are your thing then the Pendleton Drake is the ladies bike for you. It looks like a fixed-gear bike but it actually features 3-speeds, to help you get up those steep hills and cruise in comfort.
The Drake uses a lightweight alloy frame, available in 16″ and 18″ sizes and it rolls on 700c wheels to soak-up the bumps and potholes that are littered around our city streets.
As yet it doesn’t have any user reviews on the Halfords website but if it’s anything like the rest of the range, it’s bound to be a great choice.
Pendleton Somerby
£299
The Pendleton Somerby is the best-selling model in the Pendleton bikes range. It’s an upright traditional bicycle, featuring a low step through 17″ or 19″frame, 7-speed gears and 700c wheels, making it a simple option for everyday use.
If ever a bicycle needed a basket, this is it but the standard accessories list is generous. The Somerby features built in mudguards and chainguard a luggage rack and a sprung saddle for added comfort. Check out more information about the Pendleton Somerby here.
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It’s also available as a Limited Edition model, with new frame colours including Mint, Red or White. The Limited Edition model is cheap! By that we mean cheaper than the standard model, priced at £279, which is £20 cheaper than the standard model’s £299 price tag.
By far the most popular bike in the Halfords range, it has 40 reviews and scores 4.8 our of 5 stars. Not bad!
Where to find Pendleton bikes for sale
Pendleton bikes are for sale in the UK exclusively from Halfords and their prices range from £249 up to £349. If you don’t want or can’t afford a new bike, then check out the second hand market as there are plenty of bikes for sale. On Gumtree we found second hand examples from £100 to £120.
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It’s a similar story on eBay where we found over 20 models for sale, most of them look to be in good condition, with prices ranging from £100 to £150. So if you’re looking for a cheap Pendleton bike, this could be the best option for you.
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