£500 budget: What's the coolest looking bike I can buy? (UK)

[Cool Mint]

I'm not sure if I'm posting this in the right section because I'm not interested in drop-handle racer type bikes, I'm looking for a purely comfort + style bike preferably with hub gears.

I saw a photo of a 1930's Hawthorne Zep and I thought "oh yes, I want one of those!" but I seriously doubt I could buy one for £500 ($800 US).

*drools*

My other choice is a Pashley Roadster which would be just within my budget and it's brand new:

I don't care if the bike is modern or vintage but I do want it to be a traditional steel framed bike built to high standards. Any suggestions on what bikes might be available to me? I'm in the southwest of England btw.

edit* I wish the forum allowed longer subject titles. :idea:

 

[kaiser]

Have a look at the Felt range of cruisers the 7 spd Heritage could be right up your street.£spd's nice too. Can't find a UK price though maybe need to find a local Felt dealer.

 

[Cool Mint]

Ooh, now that's pretty.
Felt Cruisers seem to be a rarity in the UK, the closest match I've found so far is the Nirve Fifty-Three - no brakes though.

http://www.chopperdome.co.uk/Images/Nirve copyright pictures/53glossblack.jpg

I want to see these bikes up-close, it's hard to tell from glossy air-brushed website photos whether a bike is well-finished or just "plasticky" but I don't think there are any bike stores in my area that stock cruisers.

I guess it's the price you pay if you want a bike that nobody else has got; they have to be hard to find or everyone would have one already.

 

[Cool Mint]

Huh. My posts aren't posting. :?
One more try:

Ooh, now that's pretty.
Felt Cruisers seem to be a rarity in the UK, the closest match I've found so far is the Nirve Fifty-Three - no brakes though.
http://www.chopperdome.co.uk/Images/Nirve copyright pictures/53glossblack.jpg

I want to see these bikes up-close, it's hard to tell from glossy air-brushed website photos whether a bike is well-finished or just "plasticky" but I don't think there are any bike stores in my area that stock cruisers.

I guess it's the price you pay if you want a bike that nobody else has got; they have to be hard to find or everyone would have one already.

 

[kaiser]

I thought you would like it

 

[Cool Mint]

What's going on? Can anyone else see my posts? I posted twice but they show as blank for me. :?:

 

[kaiser]

blank, blank and better

 

[john]

What's going on? Can anyone else see my posts? I posted twice but they show as blank for me. :?:

Fixed, be careful with those url tags

 

[Cool Mint]

Ah, thanks Kaiser and John. I forgot about that url thing.

Damn, I've got £500 burning a hole in my pocket and I've still got to wait!
I really like the look of the Pashley but I don't want to blow money on the wrong bike. There used to be a shop in Exeter selling chopper bicycles; that was years ago and I've never been in there but maybe they stock cruisers.

 

[john]

My local shop (Atkins in Leamington) used to do some cruiser style bikes as per the first pictured. Unsure of the brand.

Alternately the Pashleys look sweet and have a little British history too. Particularly like the guv'nor although understand it's a bit more than you want to spend...