Pashley Princess Sovereign review
Best for: Classic looks that last decades · Premium
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Pros
- Hand-built steel frame that can be repaired
- Dynamo lighting, chaincase and mudguards all fitted
- Puncture-resistant Marathon Plus tyres
- Brooks leather saddle and basket included
Cons
- Expensive for a non-electric bike
- Hub brakes are weaker than discs
- Weight not published
Full review
Pashley has built bikes in England for generations, and the Princess Sovereign is its classic open-frame town bike. The steel frame is lugged and brazed by hand, so it rides softly and can be repaired or repainted if it ever gets damaged, which is part of why these bikes last so long.
The specification is made for daily use in any weather. Hub brakes are enclosed against the rain, the fully enclosed chaincase keeps the chain clean and quiet, painted steel mudguards cover the wheels, and the Schwalbe Marathon Plus tyres are among the hardest to puncture. A front hub dynamo powers the LED headlamp, while the rear light is battery-powered. A rear carrier and front wicker basket are included, and the sprung Brooks leather saddle is comfortable once it is broken in.
You can choose a three-speed Sturmey Archer hub or an eight-speed Shimano Nexus Premium, and the wider range is worth the extra if your route has hills. Frames come in three sizes, with 26 in wheels on the smaller two.
The weakness is price, as it costs far more than the other bikes here, and Pashley does not list a weight on this page. If you want a beautiful bike to keep for a long time, it is a rewarding choice.
Full specifications
| Frame and fork | Hand-built lugged and brazed steel |
|---|---|
| Frame shape | Open step-through (Princess) |
| Gears (hub) | 3 (Sturmey Archer XRD-3) or 8 (Shimano Nexus Premium) |
| Drivetrain | Hub gear, fully enclosed chaincase |
| Chain case and mudguards | Painted steel mudguards and fully enclosed chaincase |
| Brakes | Hub brakes, front and rear |
| Wheels | 26 in polished alloy rims (28 in on the 22 in frame) |
| Tyres | Schwalbe Marathon Plus 26 x 1 3/8 in |
| Lights | Front hub-dynamo LED, rear battery LED |
| Rack, stand and lock | Rear alloy carrier and front wicker basket |
| Weight (brand) | Not published |
| Frame sizes | 17.5, 20 and 22 in frames |
| Saddle | Brooks B66s leather with twin coil springs |
| Made | Hand-built in Stratford-upon-Avon, England |
Spec check note: Pashley's page does not list a weight. The gear options (3-speed or 8-speed) depend on the version ordered. The page says the 22 in frame uses 28 in wheels and tyres. Whether the Princess is the open-frame model is from Pashley's range naming rather than the spec list.
Specifications checked against: Pashley product page (Princess Sovereign)
How it compares with its rivals
| Feature | Pashley Princess Sovereign | Pendleton Ashwell | Gazelle Esprit | Gazelle Chamonix C7 | Batavus Senz Active Exclusive | Pashley Roadster Sovereign |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | Classic looks that last decades | First city bike on a budget | Everyday town riding | Comfort and rough streets | Clean, oil-free daily commuting | Taller riders wanting a classic |
| Price band | Premium | Budget | Mid-range | Upper mid-range | Upper mid-range | Premium |
| Frame and fork | Hand-built lugged and brazed steel | Lightweight alloy frame, rigid steel fork | Aluminium frame, rigid steel fork | Aluminium frame, 50 mm suspension fork | Aluminium frame, rigid aluminium fork | Hand-built lugged and brazed steel |
| Frame shape | Open step-through (Princess) | Step-through | Step-through (low-step) | Low-step and high-step | Mid and high (gents) shapes; a low-entry version is listed by a dealer | Double top tube (traditional gents roadster) |
| Gears (hub) | 3 (Sturmey Archer XRD-3) or 8 (Shimano Nexus Premium) | 5 (Sturmey Archer hub) | 3 or 7 (Shimano Nexus hub) | 7 (Shimano Nexus 7 hub) | Shimano Nexus hub (gear count not published by Batavus; a dealer lists 7) | 3 (Sturmey Archer X-RD3) or 8 (Shimano Nexus Premium) |
| Drivetrain | Hub gear, fully enclosed chaincase | Chain, full chaincase | KMC Z410 chain, 38T chainring, 18T sprocket | KMC Z1 chain, 38T chainring, 18T sprocket | Gates carbon belt drive, no chain | Hub gear, fully enclosed chaincase |
| Chain case and mudguards | Painted steel mudguards and fully enclosed chaincase | Pendleton mudguards and full chaincase | Full chain case; mudguards not listed in the spec | Chain case and skirt guard; mudguards not listed in the spec | Not published | Painted alloy mudguards and fully enclosed chaincase |
| Brakes | Hub brakes, front and rear | Alloy V-brakes (rim) | Roller brake front; roller or coaster brake rear | Shimano MT200 hydraulic disc, 180 mm front, 160 mm rear | Tektro hydraulic disc, 160 mm front and rear | Hub brakes, front and rear |
Prices in every region
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Prices in Ireland and United Kingdom
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