The London Town Bike Challenge: A Look at the Modern Viking

Just a few days ago, I wrote about the dilemma of finding a suitable bike for commuting in London with minimal risk of being stolen.

Recently I spied a new-ish Viking step-through framed bicycle locked up in the West End, one street away from my office.

I recognised the Viking name, partly because of a recent discussion on the Lovely Bicycle! blog about the Viking company, its English and Irish history and the "competent but un-inspired" reputation of its bicycles, but partly also because I run regular searches on Ebay for mixtes (as you do) and the Viking name comes up regularly as the main modern alternative to all the vintage Raleighs and Peugeots out there. From the Ebay listings, I knew the current owners of the Viking brand offer a 7-speed mixte called 'The Continental' and a singlespeed called 'The Bromley'. I also knew they are incredibly cheap! The Continental runs £160-£180 and the Bromley is often well under £150. Most are offered for sale by Parkers of Bolton, a well-established online retailer in the north of England. And if you visit Parkers' website, you'll find both models at even lower prices than those on Ebay. 

Frankly, I had assumed that the Vikings on Ebay were "Bike Shaped Objects" on a par with what you can expect to buy from the likes of Halfords. True, the Viking name has more 'heritage' behind it than Apollo but these days it's difficult to know who owns the Viking brand or where exactly the bikes are made. It certainly is not Wolverhampton or Derry anymore! 

But to be honest, I was really impressed by the bike I saw in person. It was obviously quite new so it's hard to say what it will look after the coming winter, but the welds were tidy and the build looked really quite nice. 

So at this kind of price point, is Viking worth considering?  I'm going to take a closer look at the two models of mixte.

THE CONTINENTAL

Photos and descriptions are from Parkers of Bolton's own website.

Viking Continental 7 Speed Ladies Mixte

With a traditional mixte frame the Viking Continental is a great bike for those who want a low step over but something a little different. A Mixte frame provides the lower standover height of a step-through frame bicycle while avoiding some of the additional stresses the step-through frame bicycle places on the seat tube. An upright riding position means gives great comfort and a more dignified riding position. Shimano supplies the 7 speed gearing to make most efficient use of your pedalling. The Continental also comes fully equipped to meet your daily requirements with powerful V brakes, alloy rims, rear pannier rack, full length mudguards and Viking comfort saddle.

Features

• Model Type: Traditional style ladies mixte frame with twin top tubes.
• Frame Construction: Hi-tensile steel with low overstep.
• Forks: Hi-tensile 700c with ovalised blades.
• Wheel Size: 700 with 38c black trekking tyres with gumwall sides.
• Wheel Specification: Viking 700c alloy double rims with alloy hubs.
• Gear System: Shimano 7 speed with Shimano STI shifters, Shimano freewheel and Shimano rear derailleur. Shimano triple chainset with alloy crank arms and chainguard.
• Brakes: Aluminium "V" type brakes and alloy levers with reach adjust facility.
• Handlebar and Stem: Hi-rise trekking handlebar with an alloy adjustable stem.
• Additional Information: Viking brown comfort trekking saddle with chrome seat post. Stitched comfort grips, trekking style dual density pedals, rear pannier rack, chromo-plastic mudguards and alloy kickstand.
• Frame Colour: White.
• Fork Colour: White.
• Cycle Condition: Brand New sealed in Box. This Bike comes 90% Built, Fitting of pedals, stem/bars, front wheel, front brake cable & seat. Gears & brakes also require some adjustment.

THE BROMLEY

Again, photo and description are from Parkers' website.

Viking Bromley Single Speed Ladies Bike

Inspired by the classic bike designs of the 60's and 70's, the Viking Bromey features a Mixtie ladies frame with straight bladed front fork. Equiped with a speed drive train, the flip flop rear hub offers the choice of fixed gear or freewheel. Rear swept handlebars and adjstable height quill stem proivde a practical, upright riding position, ideal the urban enviroment. Finished in an minimalist white gloss finish, the Bromley comes with matching white deep section wheel rims and white alloy single speed crankset. The viking Bromley frame has rack mounts for a rear pannier rack and space to fit full mudguards, if you wish to convert it in to a full on commuter bike.

Features

• Model Type: Traditional style ladies mixte frame with twin top tubes.
• Frame Construction: High tensile steel with low overstep.
• Forks: Straight bladed High tensile 700c. Mudguard bosses.
• Wheel Size: 700 with 28c black wall road tyres.
• Wheel Specification: Viking 700c deep section alloy rims alloy hubs with track hubs. Flip flop rear hub features a 16 tooth rear freewheel and 16 tooth fixed sprocket.
• Gear System: 16 tooth rear sporcket with 46 tooth chainring. White alloy crank arms with black chainring.
• Brakes: Aluminium dual pivot caliper brakes with cable quick release. Alloy brake levers with reach adjust facility.
• Handlebar and Stem: Rear swept chrome comfort handlebar with an adjustable height chrome quill stem.
• Additional Information: Viking brown comfort trekking saddle with chrome seat post. Platform style flat pedals, alloy kickstand.
• Weight: 12.8kg (19" frame).
• Frame Colour: Gloss white.
• Fork Colour: Gloss white.
• Cycle Condition: Brand new sealed in box. This bike comes 90% Built, fitting of pedals, stem/bars, front wheel, front brake cable and seat. Brakes also require some adjustment prior to riding.

CHOOSING BETWEEN THEM

Firstly, it must be noted that most of the components are non-branded. So that's a "buyer beware" caveat up front. That said, it does appear that most of the drivetrain components on the Continental are made by Shimano. The rear mech says "Tourney" on it, which I understand to be quite decent. 

Secondly, it must be presumed that the frames are built in Taiwan. This is not necessarily a bad thing -- my Surlys were made in Taiwan too! 

The frames of both models appear to be identical (with different forks), offered only in a gloss white finish with a coloured panel and the Viking name on the downtube. The decoration on the Continental is simple but classic and I like the choice of yellow as the contrast colour.

The Bromley's livery is a little darker not only in colour but in feel, with perhaps a nod to Victoriana or steampunk, which I think suits a singlespeed.  

The Continental is approximately £35-40 more expensive than the Bromley. For that extra money, you get full mudguards and a rear rack already fitted to the Continental.

It's not mentioned in the description but it appears from the photos that the Continental also has a clear plastic chainguard. 

Essentially, add lights and you're set to go. Oh and that extra £35-40 gets you six more gears and a rear mech! 

The Bromley has the braze-ons for both mudguards and a rear rack but does not come with them fitted. 

Both models have braze-ons for one water bottle carrier, which I think is a nice touch. 

At this price point and based on my inspection of the bicycle I've seen in person, I am seriously considering buying one of these. I am leaning towards the singlespeed Bromley because I know from experience that, provided you've got the right gearing, singlespeeds are extremely practical in an urban environment and would be a much easier proposition in terms of maintenance than a geared bike would be, given that my London Town Bike would not be taken home very often, if at all.

These models featured in this post are the two mixtes in Viking's current range. There are of course a number of models of step-through frame styles. 

The major disadvantage to these Viking bicycles is that they appear to only be available for purchase online, which means there is no opportunity for a test ride before making the decision. Parkers do offer a 14-day return policy, but the cost is the customer's responsibility. 

What do you know about the bikes now being offered under the Viking name? Any good?