Short-Arsed Peddling
The Luath Bike from Islabikes
If you’re short, it’s a top replacement for your splitboard, but only while the summer sun is high in the sky.
There’s always a lull for me post-season. It’s not that I don’t have summer plans, it’s just that after all the anticipation, planning, and execution of a winter season I’m a little flat, it’s the opposite of most people’s SAD disorder (seasonal affective disorder), because I bloody well love the winter.
But sitting out three seasons a year simply isn’t on, so my attention now turns to my two off-season loves, cycle touring and climbing, both of which are a real help with my winter fitness.
Being strong for climbing keeps my mind and body fit, and is a good replacement for splitboarding, as there’s often a long hike in wearing a heavy backpack, while the cycling keeps the stamina going.
I’ve never been one for lycra clad miles of torture, even though I have climbed a few Tour de France cols in my time, but if I’m honest, I’ve never really enjoyed them. Yet I do dig cycle touring, the simplicity of making a self propelled journey is so compelling, just you, your bike, and your kit taking an A to B route is simply magic.
Recent trips have seen me ride from Cork to Kerry and around the Ring of Beara, which is a far better ride than the often-busy Ring of Kerry.
Another favourite of mine was when the kids were one and three, my wife and I cycled the length of the Outer Hebrides with the kids on the back of our bikes, our luggage transported between the Islands by the helpful post bus. Last year, with the kids peddling their own excellent Isla bikes, we left Kent under our own power, and took the sleeper train north to ride from the Isle of Barra to the Isle of Lewis all over again.
BTW there’s excellent climbing on the sea cliffs of Mangersta, just outside Uig on the Isle of Lewis. The rock is near bullet proof, being Lewisian Gneiss, which is some of the oldest rock on the planet, ranging from 1.7 to 3 billion years old. You can read more about that trip here.
The Bike
Getting the right bike for a tour, especially when you’re vertically challenged, isn’t easy, I had a Genesis Croix de Fer, which is an excellent bike, but I always felt a little stretched out, and after a long ride my palms would hurt, as they’d be far too much weight running through my arms. So, when Isla Bikes announced a Luath touring bike for short people, well, at five foot six I was interested, as my son rode the Outer Hebrides on a kids Luath, so I reached out to Isla and called one in to test.
First impressions
As with all things Isla, the bike has a solid build quality, with all the mounting points you need to carry touring gear. The gearing itself is single on the front with an 8-speed cassette on the back, designed for climbs, with a 1x ratio of 11-40, which isn’t the best for speeding down a flat road but great for uphill climbing, or towing a trailer.
For those of you who want to hit the road with a hound in tow (or a trailer full of kit or kids) the Luath is ideal. The gearing keeps you moving uphill and the flat speed is fine, as you’re never going to hit high speeds towing a heavy load anyway.
I took my 21kg pointer for a long ride around the potholed backroads of Kent, as a test to this summers planned long distance Scotland adventure, and the frame and ride all felt just fine. I’d go as far as to say that I’d add a few lightweight panniers to the bike with confidence too.
The peddles supplied will get you going, but need upgrading to your favourite, as most likely does the seat. Having said that, the seat (which is designed for women but suitable for most men) is comfy enough and I’ve not needed to change it.
The Luath comes in three sizes, XS, S and M, with stand-over hights ranging from 65-72cm, and the 380mm handlebar width on the M (360mm on XS and S) at first felt narrow after my old bike, but I soon feel relaxed and well into my first long ride on the Luath I suddenly realise that I wasn’t moving around the bars much, as my upright riding position is far more comfortable than on my old bike.
There’s thought that’s gone into the brake set-up too, so that small hands can easily reach all the leavers, meaning there’s no shifting position, or your weight, while having to reach forward for the brakes, which is common on a longer framed bike. This allows for good control on the gravel, especially useful when travelling downhill, allowing you to keep more weight on the back wheel.
The cranks are shorter than on many mainstream bikes, which is very cool if you’re long in body but short in legs, which isn’t the case with me but I have to say I didn’t really notice the shorter cranks.
Isla say the Luath is designed for road, gravel, touring, and multi-day adventures, and I have to agree, as I’d be happy to tour for a week or two on the Luath, but I’d be looking higher spec and a second front cog if I was setting off from London to Cape Town.
The main problem I have with the Luath, is my 15 year old son, who’s almost as tall as me, keeps taking it out to meet his mates, which means I’m back on my old bike. Thank god for CDB oil, which is helping my ageing body deal with all the aches and pains from my old ill-fitting bike .
To summarise, it’s a banging bike for a good price, as for £899.99 you get a rugged bike that will join you on your green adventures for many a year.
For more information see the Islabikes website