KHS Green and Cidi for 2010

KHS is showing off their 2010 bikes on their website. I was a big fan of the KHS Green model last year because it didn't try to be anything but a simple 3-speed city bike. 

This year the Green comes in silver as well as black. It has a steel frame built with traditional (small diameter) tubing and 700c wheels. With its curved lines the black step-through could be mistaken for a real Dutch Bike from afar. You won't find an Oma or Old Dutch for $329, though.

There's a new series of KHS Urban bikes this year, the Cidi 3 and 8. These city bikes have a more aggressive stance with flat bars a la Swobo or Biria. Despite the aluminum frame and matching fenders, chain guard and rack, the price points are competitive. The Cidi 8 (shown below) is $659 with the Shimano Nexus inter-8 and the Cidi 3 (sporting Shimano 3-speed hub gears) is just $439.

If anyone reading has ridden the Green or Cidi please drop us a comment.

Dutch Bicycles

This week, the New York Times did a fashion piece in which it declared the glossy black Dutch bicycle "the new It object." Although still pretty rare, I am starting to see these on the streets of D.C., and apparently they have become common sights in Manhattan, Seattle, and Portland.

The Dutch Opa pictured above (Oma is the women's step-through model) is sold by the Dutch Bicycle Company in Seattle for $1589. They will ship it anywhere in the continental U.S., and they estimate that it costs between $330-365 to ship an Opa or Oma. According to the New York Times story, the Dutch Bicycle Company will soon open a store in NYC.

Dutch bikes, of course, have both style and function. Fenders, chainguards, rack carriers, headlights and taillights are standard. Here are the specs on the Opa:

Frame: Powder coated, hi-tensile steel, available in 57, 61, & 65 cm sizes

Hub: Shimano Nexus eight-speed, sealed, internally geared hub

Headlight: Shimano Nexus hub mounted dynamo powering headlamp and tail lamp
(no batteries needed - ever) 

Saddle: Brooks model B67, sprung leather

Brakes: Front and rear roller

Accessories: Center stand, fenders, mud flap, cargo rack and pump, rear wheel skirts/spats - spoke guards (keeps your skirt or suit clean), fabric and chrome chaincase cover, integrated rear wheel locking system

By the way, the Dutch Bicycle Company also sells German Velorbis models like the one pictured in the very first post on this blog.

In addition, Biria has come out with a Classic Dutch Series that includes this 21" Classic Dutch Men's:



The specs are similar to the Opa:

Frame: Hi-Ten Steel, 52 cm (21")

Fork: Hi-Ten unicrown

Rims: 28" steel black

Tires: 28x1.50

Gear: 3-speed Shimano Nexus

Brakes: Rear Roller and front v-brake, Alloy

Colors: black, dark red

Standard: full Chain guard, fenders, front and rear lights with generator, kickstand

Finally, don't forget the Dutch and Dutch-style bikes that we've already discussed on this blog, including the Batavus Old Dutch, KHS Green, and Electra Amsterdam.

The KHS Green

The tag line for this bike is, "With the Green it's not about speed, it's about a lifestyle." Sounds good to me. In fact, this bike resembles the basic Dutch bike in several ways: a) it's mostly black, b) it's built for comfort w/ nice high bars, c) it comes with several practical accessories, and d) it appears to have steel crankarms. I'd like to see a dynamo-powered light set, and a little more sweep in the handlebars, but for $300 it looks like a terrific off-the-shelf city bike.

KHS: Green
MSRP: $299(?)

Frame Hi-Ten Classic or Step-thru
Fork Hi-Ten
Headset 1" Treaded
Rims Weinmann ZAC21 silver anodized alloy 700 x 38c
Hubs Shimano 3 speed Nexus Coaster Brake Rear
Tires Staad 700 x 38c
Spokes 14G UCP, 36°
Shifters Shimano 3 speed Nexus Revo Twist
Chain 1/2" x 1/8"
Crankset 3-piece with complete chainguard
Bottom Bracket 3-piece
Cog Shimano
Pedals VP alloy w/steel cage w/boron axle
Seatpost Steel
Saddle Dual Density with Elastomer Springs
Handlebar 4" rise
Stem Alloy w/Tall Quill
Grips Kraton
Brakes Coaster Rear, Hand Brake Front
Color Black
Frame Size 17", 21" Men's and 14", 17" Ladies
Extras Fenders, Alloy Rear Carrier, Kick Stand, Bell and Rear Wheel Lock