Monday, June 18, 2012

Pilen Lyx

Lyx in red and in black. Courtesy: Pilen
The Pilen Lyx, available as a step-through or diamond frame, is about $1,230 at J.C. Lind Bike Co. in Chicago.  It is not sold online.

Pilen Cycles, founded in 1999, develop and assemble their bikes in a family-run factory in Sweden.  According to their website, "a Pilen is a bike for those who need a reliable friend in life that you can always trust. If you cycle to work, to a picnic with your children, or enjoy touring, then we believe Pilen is the best choice for you."

Lyx has become one of Pilen's most popular models.  There have been plenty of reviews to check out:

Portlandize

Velocouture

Lovely Bike

LGRAB

Here are the full specs:

ColorsYou can choose between 4 colours. Black, red, green and blue.
FrameHeight: 56 cm. Chrome molybdenum steel. Powder coated.
ForkChrome molybdenum steel with cast crown.
MudguardsStainless Steel. Black powder coated.
Bearing and Chain WheelThe bearings come from Kinex and require no maintenance. Aluminium crankshafts.
Chain and chain guard108 links. Anti rust processed chain. The chain guard has a layer of Zink before powder coating.
Rear hub
Transmission44:20
Rear hub alt. 1Shimano zero-gear. Coaster brake.
Rear hub alt. 2SRAM Automatix 2. Coaster brake. Automatic Shift.
Rear hub alt. 3SRAM T3. Coaster brake. Handlebar Gripshift.
Rear hub alt. 4SRAM P5. Coaster brake. Handlebar Gripshift.
Rear hub alt. 5SRAM S7. Coaster brake. Handlebar Gripshift.
Rear hub alt. 6Shimano Nexus Inter 3.Coaster brake. Handlebar Gripshift.
Rear hub alt. 7Shimano Nexus Inter 7. Coaster brake. Handlebar Gripshift.
Rear hub alt. 8Shimano Nexus Inter 8. Rollerbrake or Coaster brake. Handlebar Gripshift.
Rear hub alt. 9Shimano Nexus Inter 8 with rollerbrakes. Handlebar Gripshift. Front and rear brakes on handlebar.


Front hubShimano DH-2R35-E-with rollerbrake and hub generator.
Gear shifterHandlebars Grip shift (except Duomatic 2).
TiresSchwalbe Citizen 47-622 with Puncture Protection. For heavy persons (+85) kg, we recommend Schwalbe Big Apple.
Wheel28 inches (47-622) double bottomed aluminium rims, targeted spoke holes, eyelets and strong spokes in stainless steel. The rear wheel have reduced spokes.
SpokesStainless steel 2,36mm. Reduced in the rear wheel.
CarrierStable carrier made of steel tubing with stainless steel clamps. Painted black.
LockABUS high security lock (class 8).
BrakesCoaster brakes or rollerbrake (rear rollerbrakes only on Shimano Nexus Inter-8).
SadelBrooks B66 leather with springs. Available in colors: Black, Brown and Honey.
Front lampBusch & Müller with 2.4 watts H3-lamp. Excellent light for even the darkest road.
Rear lampLED. Automatic light activated by low light and movement. From Spanninga.
ReflexesReflex sides on the tires, in the rear and front lamp and on the basket (ladies model).
BellStainless steel.
 

9 comments:

Janice in GA said...

I recently test-rode one of these bikes. I really wanted it to be The One. But it's a big bike. I could manage it if I slammed the seatpost almost all the way down. But I still felt like a kid on mom's bike.

I'm a bit over 5'3", so I'm not that big. I'm sure it works well for someone a bit taller.

Velouria said...

I am over 5'6" and still found it to be a big bike!

Freewheel said...

I hope they offer more frame size choices in 2013!

antbikemike said...

I like the bike and do wish they offered more sizes.

I would like to point out that this frame and fork is made in Taiwan [which is not a bad thing], but it bugs me to be written as 'Produced in Sweden". I am pretty sure on the home site, they say that they frames sets are built in Taiwan and they powder coat the frames and assemble them at their shop.

The more I look into it, I am finding that many Dutch companies claim that they make their own bikes, but are actually built in Asia. They just paint and bolt on the seat stays, assemble etc...

Again, not bad to have your bikes made for you in Asia. This is why many bikes like this one and many other Northern European bikes are priced so low.

Freewheel said...

antbikemike - You make a good point and you may well be right about Pilen framesets being made in Taiwan. Unfortunately, I found no mention about Taiwan or Asia on Pilen's website. If you click on "The Company" you will find the following statement: "Pilen is developed and assembled entirely in Sweden." As you say, the frameset and components may come from Asia, and it may all be assembled in Sweden. I think some acknowledgment of that fact should be on Pilen's website.

antbikemike said...

I spent some time on the Pilen website yesterday and I think they removed all the original info about the frame and fork being made in Taiwan. The original pitch was "Whats the difference between made be Sven or Chen?". Again I have nothing against bikes being made where ever, just proudly say so.

*The Lovely Bicycle review also says that the frame sets are made in Taiwan.

Freewheel said...

Based on Mike's comments, I've changed "produced in Sweden" in the original post to "developed and assembled in Sweden."

antbikemike said...

Freewwheel,

Thanks :)

Again, I have to say that I really like this bike and wish I could make or have made something similar to this [and it's price too]

PS Keep up the good work. I like this blog and keep up with it.

Freewheel said...

antbikemike - I appreciate the compliment! We are big fans of A.N.T. - the craftmanship of your bikes puts them in a league of their own.