tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post4639226040672345245..comments2024-03-18T08:41:35.438-04:00Comments on Lovely Bicycle!: Pilen Lyx: the Pragmatic RomanticVelouriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.comBlogger44125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-15230912877497664352016-05-09T04:58:43.249-04:002016-05-09T04:58:43.249-04:00The idea that dynamo headlamps work best with a ta...The idea that dynamo headlamps work best with a tail lamp comes from the days of incandescent bulbs. If you had a 2.4W bulb on a 3W dynamo and didn't fit the 0.6W tail lamp, then you would overpower the bulb and shorten its life. In those days that was easily solved by fitting a 3W bulb. Nowdays modern LED lights and dynamos all have overvolt protection so its not an issue.<br /><br />I suspect the battery operated rear light is enforced by their choice of front hub. The DH-2R35-E is a 2.4W hub, and so does not produce enough juice to power a rear light.<br /><br />Most rear lights feature 'standlights', an internal capacitor is charged during riding, and this keeps the light glowing when you are stopped, and so this is no longer an advantage for battery power. Many front lights now also feature this.<br /><br />I'm thinking of getting one of these but really wish they had fitted a 3W hub. Charging your phone wont work so well on a 2.4W hub. And how about the brakes? Does anyone here who has ridden the Lyx not find the braking power rather lackluster? I'd hate to have a car pull out of me and not be able to stop in time. Wish they had fitted the more powerful IM80 brake. At this price point it is a shame to get entry-level components.danthepersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12219847352741502375noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-55063910998638047502016-03-20T09:47:46.136-04:002016-03-20T09:47:46.136-04:00This is an excellent and thorough review of the Pi...This is an excellent and thorough review of the Pilen - thanks for taking the time to put it together so thoughtfully!Bicycle 4 Lifehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04180033341868465127noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-49434094000534629322016-01-13T00:42:49.680-05:002016-01-13T00:42:49.680-05:00Thank you for your considered review. It was very ...Thank you for your considered review. It was very helpful in deciding to buy a Pilen Lyx for myself -- a 57 year old rider with bad knees who suffered through two aluminum frame 'comfort' bikes. I am told that the/a distributor has discontinued importing these to the US. Any ideas on how to get parts/accessories that will fit? Poetessnychttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00496019331289680840noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-68731124662799122862013-07-07T22:46:58.726-04:002013-07-07T22:46:58.726-04:00Augsburg, I'm hoping she responds but I just r...Augsburg, I'm hoping she responds but I just rode test drove the Lyx this week after a year of searching for a mixte/step through that is large enough for my 5'11" long-legged body and it was a great fit. I'm close to buying it but am getting a little greedy/picky seeing all the step throughs now on the market. I just keep coming back to this bike which feels, rides and looks great. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17399155086827780844noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-35807131072515956302013-06-02T13:22:03.565-04:002013-06-02T13:22:03.565-04:00Seeing the comments about how this bike is made fo...Seeing the comments about how this bike is made for "taller women", we are curious as to how tall are you (since you mention you barely fit). In other words, about how tall do you need to be for this bike?Augsburgnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-18793286264641244872012-06-11T14:53:22.464-04:002012-06-11T14:53:22.464-04:00Just purchased a Sport here in northern California...Just purchased a Sport here in northern California-cannot wait for it to arrive!<br /><br />edAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-59457690212822284122012-04-13T10:03:43.738-04:002012-04-13T10:03:43.738-04:00Here is a tip for you all!
I just wen't on a ...Here is a tip for you all!<br /><br />I just wen't on a ride in sunny Sweden on the brand new Pilen Sport model. wow!, i tried the 2 speed automatix version an was very impressed. Just to tone things down i tried 3 different hybrids: Nishiki Intro 7, one Trek, and one Scott. the result? still loved Pilen Sport! it has an oldtime charm with some pretty great handling.<br /><br />/Jerry in Sweden<br /><br />visit www.pilencykel.com for more info!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-81661347041743391642012-03-05T15:47:40.322-05:002012-03-05T15:47:40.322-05:00I love the Pilen. I want to cross the Alps in wint...I love the Pilen. I want to cross the Alps in winter on a light blue one like this with a cherry pie on the rack.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-68516164179665771662012-02-11T11:27:01.800-05:002012-02-11T11:27:01.800-05:00Miquel, size is unique, Pilen doesn't build ot...Miquel, size is unique, Pilen doesn't build other sizes, in order to save money i suppose, but i'm 1.83 and fit very well on it, even largely. If you cannot find a fealer in Spain, just write to Pilen, they wll answer you. Hola, StelioAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10481657784417372637noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-88104932584841685822012-02-11T11:22:25.658-05:002012-02-11T11:22:25.658-05:00I have a Pilen, among other 4 bikes (brompton, cas...I have a Pilen, among other 4 bikes (brompton, casati race, gazelle, cannondale mtb). First thing: the rear rack tubes are thick, but I can fit Ortlieb bags well, the hooks just grab the whole tube nicely. Than: having pedaled about 3000miles on it, in my daily commuting of 20miles in Milano (italy), I admire its solid drive, resilient and confortable rims and tyres (big baloon), passing on all holes and hard terrible surface of Milano streets, upright and high seating positon, to see well an to be saw by crazy car drivers. Quite another world compared with my Brompton, which is quicker, but last week i just falled down, putting the small and tiny front wheel in a hole, sadly breaking my arm; if I would have driven my Pilen, it wouldn't have happened anything. This summer i plan to cross the alps in a two weeks trip. Finally I swapped the brooks saddle with a dd wings, which is more confortable and better for men (and women) delicate parts.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10481657784417372637noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-3522950785519089612011-11-29T06:54:26.941-05:002011-11-29T06:54:26.941-05:00Hi Lovely Bikes,
I like this Pilen bike and I wou...Hi Lovely Bikes,<br /><br />I like this Pilen bike and I would like. I'm 1,85m height and 85kg weight. This bike have different size?<br /><br />Anohter question is where I can buy it. I'm from Barcelona and here there isn't shops with this brand of bikes. Do you know a european online shop for ask the price?<br /><br />Thanks,<br /><br />MiquelAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-21026603227153991312011-09-07T12:00:12.794-04:002011-09-07T12:00:12.794-04:00HI, thanks for the review. I am an american who ha...HI, thanks for the review. I am an american who has just moved to Sweden. I am trying to decide between the Pilen and the Skeppshult (Natur model). Both are somewhat less expensive here, BTW. It will come down to the ride, but I like that the skeppshult comes in a 61cm size and I do have to say that I like they're still manufacturing their own bikes from start to finish. Velouria said she thought the quality pecking order was Pilen-SKeppsult-Kronen. My sense is that Kronen is a distant 3rd, and not really 3rd at all as there are other brands here--crescent, monark--that are perhaps equal or better. Anyway, I can't find a site in sweden that actually makes comparisons between the pilen and the skeppshult and I'm hoping Nils or others may be able to comment...ThanksAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-43935680754826141132011-08-20T02:38:42.725-04:002011-08-20T02:38:42.725-04:00That one looks really beautiful, has a stroing fee...That one looks really beautiful, has a stroing feel and I liked the color. It's a good one. Really inspired.bicycle shop long beachhttp://thebikeconnection.netnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-35303381519884966752011-08-11T07:52:10.945-04:002011-08-11T07:52:10.945-04:00Among Swedish manufacturers, Skeppshult is the onl...Among Swedish manufacturers, Skeppshult is the only one producing frames in-house. Here's a couple of pictures from the factory. <a href="" rel="nofollow">http://www.skeppshult.se/sv/vi</a> (click "Häng med på fabriksvisning")Nilsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-39247805003825162992011-08-09T18:57:32.788-04:002011-08-09T18:57:32.788-04:00"The whole "Swedish design" thing s...<i>"The whole "Swedish design" thing seems to be a selling point, but the actual frame is every bit as Swedish as what one can find on bikesdirect..."</i><br /><br />No, I don't think that's the case at all. Taiwan is a location, not a method of production. Crappy, mass-produced frames can come from there, and so can exquisite, painstakingly hand-made frames. The quality depends on the facility and method of production. <br /><br />The Pilen design is classically very much Swedish, tweaked by Pilen in-house. The frames are hand-made in Taiwan, and in my opinion they are made exceptionally well. I have not seen such clean welds on a non-custom frame, period, so I really have to give them credit. Personally, I would prefer it if there were still good Swedish framebuilders around who could manufacture these frames using the same methods. But according to Pilen there aren't, and they claim that Taiwanese manufacturers are, at this point, better equipped to make these bikes - an interesting, albeit disappointing, development in itself.Velouriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-83311020499071030402011-08-06T20:45:21.068-04:002011-08-06T20:45:21.068-04:00I was pleased to ride a Lyx thanks to the friendly...I was pleased to ride a Lyx thanks to the friendly staff at Mindful Bike in Denver. In the showroom, it was parked next to a Pashley, and the Lyx had a visibly longer wheelbase, perhaps a couple of inches longer, and looked "bigger".<br />I noted the superficial resemblance to the Kronan also, but the Kronan did not have a chrome-moly frame, did not offer 8 speeds, and the men's model only came with 650C rims.<br />Riding the Lyx, I also noted the stability and cushy ride. I liked the bend and height of the handlebars, which allowed an upright riding position with a forward reach allowing more efficient breathing and better control than traditional bars which sweep back around the riders knees.<br />I also liked the built-in front wheel dynamo. The advantage to the battery light is that it continues to burn when the bike stops. However, it is a simple matter to run a wire to the taillight, remove the batteries, and run the light that way.<br />I don't mind that the frame is welded in Taiwan, as a good frame can be made in many places. On their website, Pilen askes "Is Sven a better man than Chen?" What is important is the materials and workmanship, NOT the country where it is welded. <br />Like almost every other bicycle, the other components for the Lyx come from various other countries. These parts are assembled, by hand, in Sweden.<br />The only reservation I can think of was the coaster brake on the rear wheel, I would have preferred the optional hand-operated roller brake. The example I rode was finished in a handsome dark green, which I liked very much, but would have preferred the dark blue even more.<br />I didn't think the price was out of line at all for a bike built to this specification.ron521https://www.blogger.com/profile/03719917286754138744noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-18731695276005177672011-08-06T17:06:59.007-04:002011-08-06T17:06:59.007-04:00screech said: "The whole "Swedish design...screech said: "The whole "Swedish design" thing seems to be a selling point, but the actual frame is every bit as Swedish as what one can find on bikesdirect.com."<br /><br />This totally is an old scandinavian design used by almost all the Swedish and Norwegian manufacturers (from as far back as when there was many small manufacturers around) and not just a "selling point". Visiting the Danish technical museum this summer left me with the impression that tha Danish went a bit more "dutch" with their loopframes.<br />badmotherAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-33481718556486533592011-08-06T13:05:16.112-04:002011-08-06T13:05:16.112-04:00What is so appealing about this bike is it's s...What is so appealing about this bike is it's so "ordinary" that it's "special" very much like a favored pair of worn in shoes that are always comfortable.Walt Dnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-70482989668539044932011-08-06T08:44:16.509-04:002011-08-06T08:44:16.509-04:00If I was going to pay that much for another bike I...If I was going to pay that much for another bike I would probably either buy another Surly or come up a little and get a Rivendell. Though part of my justification for what I spent on Miss Surly was that she would last the rest of my riding life and beyond.MelissatheRagamuffinnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-74042152088306852402011-08-05T23:09:42.518-04:002011-08-05T23:09:42.518-04:00I can deal with the weight, provided that I could ...I can deal with the weight, provided that I could always keep it parked outside. If my Gazelle should ever croak and I need something as heavy duty or more, the Pilen may be it - its being too big for me notwithstanding. <br /><br />Rob - It's actually not that difficult to do internal lighting through the DT, but not necessary for me. If they had braze-ons along the bottom of the DT, those could hold both the shifter cable and the wiring for the tail light.Velouriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-83412433034577859262011-08-05T22:58:30.493-04:002011-08-05T22:58:30.493-04:00Rob, I think import duties and shipping costs plus...Rob, I think import duties and shipping costs plus a decent EU wage to pay for heavy Swedish taxation = Pilen cost, Elvira's peremptory comment notwithstanding. <br /><br />Plus small, family-run operation.<br /><br />If we were to compare prices of Workcycles models Amsterdam to US there is a huge markup. <br /><br />I like this bike but it's a bit heavy.Ground Round Jimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09103163385322185034noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-40676287779725616462011-08-05T22:26:36.777-04:002011-08-05T22:26:36.777-04:00Some thoughts on the tail-light scandal: To be ho...Some thoughts on the tail-light scandal: To be honest, it would be expensive to do internal routing for the wire to the tail, but i think i'd be happy with just some zipties keeping the wire to the frame. B/c this thing already has a dynamo and a dynamo-powered headlight, I think that the price difference would be very slight between a battery-powered tail and a dynamo tail with zip-ties, but I'm willing to bet that many customers prefer the cleaner look of the battery-powered tail. Couple that preference with the fact that LED tail-lights go forever on one battery, and I can see how the Pilen ppl made the decision to use the battery-powered one. (My only concern with this is that Peter White suggests that most dynamo headlamps work better/last longer when used in conjunction with a dynamo tail-light.)<br /><br />Me, I'd prefer a dynamo tail-light, too. Which is why, if this were my bike, I'd just buy a 4D Lite Plus for $30 and zip/tape the wire to the frame.<br /><br />Biggest ? for this bike is, how do they justify the $1500 price tag for what is essentially a maxway frame with cruiser components? The whole "Swedish design" thing seems to be a selling point, but the actual frame is every bit as Swedish as what one can find on bikesdirect.com. I like the bike just fine, and I ride/appreciate some Taiwanese frames myself, but the price is a bit too dear for what the bike actually is, imo.<br /><br />-robScreechhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15397676711365438175noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-69560758257110392972011-08-05T21:55:58.734-04:002011-08-05T21:55:58.734-04:00I don't know if you mentioned this - I like th...I don't know if you mentioned this - I like the width of the rack; it's wide enough to balance things that are tough to center. The Kronan was similar.Ground Round Jimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09103163385322185034noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-27386827018880098452011-08-05T20:22:22.601-04:002011-08-05T20:22:22.601-04:00Oh -
" the Swedish Kronan I saw had a presen...Oh -<br /><br /><i>" the Swedish Kronan I saw had a presence like you describe"</i><br /><br />I've seen a few of these. Don't know how old, but didn't look too old. Frame construction and components not as nice as the Pilen. There is also Skeppshult, but I've never seen one in person. I think the quality hierarchy is supposed to be Pilen>Skeppshult>KronanVelouriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-71606628885294723122011-08-05T20:16:20.101-04:002011-08-05T20:16:20.101-04:00Melissa - I'm actually not sure of the exact p...Melissa - I'm actually not sure of the exact price, since there are so many different possibilities. Clevercycles has prices of the 8-speed "Portlandia" version posted <a href="http://clevercycles.com/products/bicycles/city-bikes/pilen/#" rel="nofollow">here</a>, but the one I tried should cost less.Velouriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.com