Pendleton Ashwell review
Best for: First city bike on a budget · Budget
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Pros
- Low price for a hub-geared bike
- Full chaincase and mudguards fitted
- Light for a city bike at about 14.6 kg
- Lifetime frame guarantee
Cons
- Rim V-brakes are less powerful in the wet
- No lights or rack listed
- Only two frame sizes
Full review
The Ashwell shows what a low-cost city bike can be. It has a light alloy step-through frame, a five-speed Sturmey Archer hub gear, mudguards and a full chaincase, which covers the basics of keeping you clean and dry without any derailleur to adjust.
At about 14.6 kg it is noticeably lighter than the Dutch-built bikes on this page, which helps if you carry it up steps or into a shed. The 700c wheels and Kenda Smooth Roll tyres keep it rolling easily on town streets.
The trade-offs are where the money was saved. The brakes are rim V-brakes rather than rollers or hydraulic discs, so stopping power drops in heavy rain and you should replace pads in good time. The Halfords page does not list lights or a rack, so plan to buy both. It is also offered in just two frame sizes, which may not suit taller riders.
For short daily rides on mostly flat ground, it is an easy way into hub-gear cycling. If you ride long distances, carry heavy loads or live somewhere hilly, step up to one of the Gazelle bikes below, which add dynamo lighting, a rack and better brakes.
Full specifications
| Frame and fork | Lightweight alloy frame, rigid steel fork |
|---|---|
| Frame shape | Step-through |
| Gears (hub) | 5 (Sturmey Archer hub) |
| Drivetrain | Chain, full chaincase |
| Chain case and mudguards | Pendleton mudguards and full chaincase |
| Brakes | Alloy V-brakes (rim) |
| Wheels | 700c, aluminium rims |
| Tyres | Kenda K197 Smooth Roll |
| Lights | Not published |
| Rack, stand and lock | Not published (pannier-rack child seats listed as compatible) |
| Weight (brand) | About 14.6 kg |
| Frame sizes | S, M |
| Sold by | Halfords (Pendleton is its own brand) |
| Warranty | Lifetime guarantee on frame and rigid fork, per the Halfords page |
Spec check note: Pendleton is Halfords' own brand, so the Halfords page is the manufacturer page. It does not list lights, a rack, tyre width or wheel size beyond 700c, so those are shown as not published. Some older listings mention rim materials differently; we used the current Halfords page.
Specifications checked against: Halfords Ireland product page (Pendleton Ashwell)
How it compares with its rivals
| Feature | Pendleton Ashwell | Gazelle Esprit | Gazelle Chamonix C7 | Batavus Senz Active Exclusive | Pashley Princess Sovereign | Pashley Roadster Sovereign |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | First city bike on a budget | Everyday town riding | Comfort and rough streets | Clean, oil-free daily commuting | Classic looks that last decades | Taller riders wanting a classic |
| Price band | Budget | Mid-range | Upper mid-range | Upper mid-range | Premium | Premium |
| Frame and fork | 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 | Hand-built lugged and brazed steel |
| Frame shape | 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 | Open step-through (Princess) | Double top tube (traditional gents roadster) |
| Gears (hub) | 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 XRD-3) or 8 (Shimano Nexus Premium) | 3 (Sturmey Archer X-RD3) or 8 (Shimano Nexus Premium) |
| Drivetrain | 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 | Hub gear, fully enclosed chaincase |
| Chain case and mudguards | 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 steel mudguards and fully enclosed chaincase | Painted alloy mudguards and fully enclosed chaincase |
| Brakes | 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 | Hub brakes, front and rear |
Prices in every region
We haven't confirmed prices for this product yet. Use the links to see today's price at each shop.
Prices include VAT where the shop shows it and may have changed since we checked. Delivery costs and stock vary by country, so check on the shop's site before you buy.
Prices in Ireland and United Kingdom
| Country | Shop | Price | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ireland · EUR | Amazon | – | Visit shop → |
| Decathlon | – | Visit shop → | |
| United Kingdom · GBP | Amazon | – | Visit shop → |
| Argos | – | Visit shop → | |
| Evans Cycles | – | Visit shop → |
Other countries
Rest of Europe
| Country | Shop | Price | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Germany · EUR | Amazon | – | Visit shop → |
| BIKE24 | – | Visit shop → | |
| ROSE Bikes | – | Visit shop → | |
| Austria · EUR | Amazon | – | Visit shop → |
| BIKE24 | – | Visit shop → | |
| ROSE Bikes | – | Visit shop → | |
| France · EUR | Amazon | – | Visit shop → |
| Alltricks | – | Visit shop → | |
| Belgium · EUR | Amazon | – | Visit shop → |
| Coolblue | – | Visit shop → | |
| Bol | – | Visit shop → | |
| Netherlands · EUR | Amazon | – | Visit shop → |
| Coolblue | – | Visit shop → | |
| Bol | – | Visit shop → | |
| Spain · EUR | Amazon | – | Visit shop → |
| Italy · EUR | Amazon | – | Visit shop → |
| Portugal · EUR | Amazon | – | Visit shop → |
| Poland · PLN | Amazon | – | Visit shop → |
| Sweden · SEK | Amazon | – | Visit shop → |