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| Breezer Uptown 8. Courtesy Breezer. |
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| Uptown 8 step-through. Courtesy: Breezer. |
It's been more than two years since we've mentioned Breezer here. Commenter Jonathan recently wrote: "IMO, the 2010 [Uptown] model is enough of an update over the 2008 model that a new review might be in order. There really are very few bicycles for less than $1000 that come standard with rack, dynamo lights, full chainguard, and fenders. I'm just sayin'."
Thanks, Jonathan. You just wrote the review for us. Rack, lights, full chainguard, fenders, PLUS an internal 8-speed hub that should require very little maintenance. Big Wheel Bikes sells the Uptown for $899. They also sell the less expensive 7-speed and 3-speed Breezers.
Here are the 2010 Uptown 8 specs:
Sizes (Step-Over) (Step-Over) 17.5, 19.5, 21.5, 23.5"
Sizes (Step-Through) (Step-Through) 15, 17, 19, 21"
Color (Step-Over) (Step-Over) Black/Blue
Color (Step-Through) (Step-Through) Silver/Black
Main frame Breezer custom butted alloy, integrated head tube, down tube hydroforming, single water bottle mount
Rear triangle Breezer D-Fusion alloy, Horiz-In dropouts
Fork Breezer cromo fork w/ cromo steerer, v-brake mounts
Crankset Shimano Nexus FC-NX75 w/ 38T chainwheel
Bottom bracket VP-BC73C cartridge style
Pedals Wellgo CO98 alloy body w/ Kraton top, cromo spindle
Shifters Shimano Nexus Revo 8-speed
Cassette Shimano, 18T
Chain KMC Z-51
Front hub Shimano DH-3N20-NT dynamo, nutted, 6V 3.0W, 36H
Rear hub Shimano NEXUS, 8-speed internal, 36H
Spokes 14G Stainless Steel
Rims Alex DH19
Tires CST C-1393P - 26 x 1.5
Tubes Kenda Schrader
Brake set Tektro 857AL V-Brake
Brake levers Tektro CL530
Headset VP-H692W
Handlebar Breezer alloy 26mm rise 570mm wide
Stem Breezer alloy, quill style
Tape/grip Breezer Lock-On ergonomic Kraton rubber
Saddle Breezer w/ steel rail
Seat post Breezer suspension alloy 40mm travel
Seat clamp Breezer alloy 31.8mm
Fenders Polycarbonate w/ integrated lighting conductors
Headlight Basta Pilot Steady Auto LED w/ standlight feature w/ sensor feature
Taillight Basta Ray Steady LED w/ standlight feature
Rear carrier Breezer tubular alloy w/ spring clip
Other Axa Defender RL ring lock with plug in chain capability
Weight, lb./kg. 33.63/15.25
14 comments:
I agree, the Uptown 8 is a good BFROU! I haven't found too much information on those CST C-1393P tires. Don't know why their website doesn't list them as 26" or 700c. I'm guessing they are 26", but not sure.
Best,
Rob
Good question, Rob. I emailed Breezer and received a quick response - the tires are 26 x 1.5 (your guess was correct). I've updated our post and Breezer tells me that they will put the information on their website.
I love it when I'm right! :-) Thanks for the update!
Cool to see this get an update, both here and in real life. I just bought a 2010 Jamis Commuter 2, another bike that has come a long way. It doesn't have racks or lights, but at $550, it's a pretty great template to play with. And it does have a chainguard, fenders, and internal 7-speed Shimano Nexus hub.
Maybe it will show up here someday?
I would also like to see a new post on the Jamis Commuter series, especially if they are upgraded for 2010. You wrote about the Commuter 4.0 in 2008, but the current Commuter 2.0 and 3.0 are better BFTROU's.
You're welcome! Thanks for turning my comment into a story. :)
And I agree about the Jamis Commuter 3.0. We gave one of those away at Bike to Work Day in Alexandria, VA (thanks to local shop Wheel Nuts). I recall that it has good specs, including a chain guard to make it easier to ride in regular clothes.
Re: Jamis Commuter series - point taken. We'll probably wait and see how Jamis has tweeked them for 2011 before doing another post.
Looks like you need to update this already. Did you see the 2011 Uptown will be available with a Nuvinci hub?
Breezer has the 2011 models available. I'm not sure on pricing, but I think it will be $500 to $600 for the EX, up to $1400 or more for the Infinity; I think the Uptown 8 is supposed to be just under $1000.
http://www.breezerbikes.com/index.php/component/content/article/35-bike-categories/51-citytrekking-bikes.html
The frame colors are nice this year, and the lights seem a little better, but most options are similar to 2010
I've been riding my 2009 model Breezer Uptown 8 for over 3 months, or about 500 miles, and I love it. In retrospect, I almost wish I had picked the step-thru frame, instead of the diamond, but the sparkly black finish is nice and classy.
I've left the hub-dynamo powered lights on constantly, and am appreciating them even more with the short days and cloudy weather. The fenders and full chaincase keep me dry and clean even when it rares (rarely here in California) or when sprinklers flood the road, and I haven't had a flat on the Schwalbe tires. The wide tires are fast and smooth-rolling when pumped up to 60 psi, but very cushy at 40 psi, and the suspension seatpost also adds to comfort.
I would like to change the rear cog from 18 to 20 (basically lowering the bike one gear), since I never use 8th gear, even on downhills, and I've raised the stem and pushed back the seat while tipping the front of the seat up a little. These changes have made the ride more upright and comfortable, though now I'm considering some swept-back North Road bars. However, if you want a more aggressive, leaned-forward, "hybrid" riding position, you can get that too, with a lower stem height and forward saddle.
Oh, and the O-lock is wonderful. I lock it whenever the bike is in sight but out of arms reach (like at a coffee shop, or hanging out at a park) and it allows me to just lock the end of the rear wheel with a U-lock when parking at a crummy wheel-bender rack, since the O-lock secures the frame. It also makes a great place to attach a cable to secure the front wheel or a trailer.
Considering the price and features, only the Raleigh Detour Delux and Novara Transfer really compete at this level. Similar bikes from European brands cost significantly more, and most American bike brands don't include the lights, chaincase, O-lock, or relaxed (70 and 71 degree) frame angles.
I've been riding my 2009 model Breezer Uptown 8 for over 3 months, or about 500 miles, and I love it. In retrospect, I almost wish I had picked the step-thru frame, instead of the diamond, but the sparkly black finish is nice and classy.
I've left the hub-dynamo powered lights on constantly, and am appreciating them even more with the short days and cloudy weather. The fenders and full chaincase keep me dry and clean even when it rares (rarely here in California) or when sprinklers flood the road, and I haven't had a flat on the Schwalbe tires. The wide tires are fast and smooth-rolling when pumped up to 60 psi, but very cushy at 40 psi, and the suspension seatpost also adds to comfort.
I would like to change the rear cog from 18 to 20 (basically lowering the bike one gear), since I never use 8th gear, even on downhills, and I've raised the stem and pushed back the seat while tipping the front of the seat up a little. These changes have made the ride more upright and comfortable, though now I'm considering some swept-back North Road bars. However, if you want a more aggressive, leaned-forward, "hybrid" riding position, you can get that too, with a lower stem height and forward saddle.
Oh, and the O-lock is wonderful. I lock it whenever the bike is in sight but out of arms reach (like at a coffee shop, or hanging out at a park) and it allows me to just lock the end of the rear wheel with a U-lock when parking at a crummy wheel-bender rack, since the O-lock secures the frame. It also makes a great place to attach a cable to secure the front wheel or a trailer.
Considering the price and features, only the Raleigh Detour Delux and Novara Transfer really compete at this level. Similar bikes from European brands cost significantly more, and most American bike brands don't include the lights, chaincase, O-lock, or relaxed (70 and 71 degree) frame angles.
I bought a Breezer Uptown 8 in early 2008, but it seems to be like the 2010 version. It has the full chaincase and new cranks. I probably have 6000 commuting miles on it. I got mine at Menlo Velo in Menlo Park, CA; they always have lots of Breezers in stock.
I bought it because I was tired of having excuses not to ride. The Breezer is a no excuses bike. The generator lights always work, and I've only had two flats so far. It's heavy, but it doesn't break.
The rear wheel is difficult to get aligned correctly, especially without a bike stand. When the wheel isn't quite straight the chain rubs against the chaincase and makes a loud noise.
I bought clipless pedals for the Breezer recently to try to make it faster. At least it feels faster, and I spend more time in higher gears. I've considered buying a lighter bike but I can't imagine giving up the lights, or the racks, or the fenders, or...
Even though the Breezer Uptown design is classic in almost every angle, the advanced materials makes it a popular choice among bike aficionados. For less than $1000, the bike is a real bargain.
Even though the Breezer Uptown design is classic in almost every angle, the advanced materials makes it a popular choice among bike aficionados. For less than $1000, the bike is a real bargain.
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