On this blog, we encourage bikes shops to sell “regular bikes to regular people.” And we encourage regular people to buy their bikes from their good ole local bike shop. If you live in or around D.C., you will find a handy list of local bike shops in the metro area in the lower right column. For reasons that David previously discussed here, we believe that local bike shops offer superior quality and service to “big box” stores.
With that cautionary preface, let me introduce you to the Paul Frank City Bike, available at Target and amazon.com for $510. It is made by Nirve, which puts out a number of models under other brand names, such as Paul Frank and John Deere.
This 3-speed cruiser has the basics of an everyday ride: lightweight fenders, lugged frame, and a rear rack. It would be a good idea to add a front brake for city riding. The Paul Frank City bike is sufficiently attractive that it could cause you to do a double-take when strolling down the aisles of your local Target.
Specs:
3820 Paul Frank City Bike
Vintage style City Bike, Black
· 19'' Frame - 700C Wheels
· Shimano Nexus 3 Speed with twist shifter
· Coaster brake
· Hand Made Lugged frame
· Upright city handlebars
· Aluminum 3pc crank
· Aluminum wheels
· Leather like double spring saddle
· lightweight fender set
· Welded cartridge Kickstand
· Polished aluminum rear rack
MSRP - $510.00
#3822 Paul Frank City Bike
Vintage style City Bike, Sky Blue
· 17'' Frame - 700C Wheels
· Shimano Nexus 3 Speed with twist shifter
· Hand Made Lugged frame
· Upright city handlebars
· Aluminum 3pc crank
· Aluminum wheels
· Leather like double spring saddle
· lightweight fender set
· Welded cartridge Kickstand
· Polished aluminum rear rack
(May come equipped w/either a foot operated rear coaster brake or hand operated roller brake)
MSRP - $510.00
UPDATE: Nirve is discontinuing these models when the current stock runs out, which is expected to happen by the end of 2009. At that point, Nirve will assist interested customers in contacting any area bike shops that may have the bikes.
The Broncks Black from Bowery Lane Bicycles is available through their website for $595.
Bowery Lane Bicycles, founded in 2008, is a family-owned operation in New York City that produces handmade "vintage-inspired" cruisers. According to their website, Bowery "is committed to making affordable bikes that meet the actual day-to-day needs of the urban cyclist. We actively support urban cycle advocacy and the goal of reclaiming city streets for safe sustainable transportation." In the D.C. area, Bowery Lane bicycles "can be seen" at Farinelli's (a clothing store) at 2839 Clarendon Blvd., Arlington, Virginia. H/T to the anonymous commenter who brought Bowery Lane Bicycles to our attention.
The Broncks Black, which Bowery calls the "quintessential city bike," features a chain guard, fenders, kick stand, rear rack, and "a locally hand crafted wooden crate that can easily carry a briefcase, grocery tote (or 2 six-packs of your favorite local brew... ours is Brooklyn Lager)." The crate is definitely a nice touch.
A few specs:
Frame: Steel (grade not specified), 21" size
Wheels: 26" aluminum bolt-on (Bowery touts the bolt-on wheels as "theft-resistant." True, but you'll need to carry a socket wrench with you for changing flat tires).
Brakes: Rear coaster only. (I recommend adding a front hand brake for city riding).
Saddle: Dual springs, leather.
Handlebars: Swept back with long stem. Cork grips.
Weight: 29 lbs.
This beautiful blue 3-speed (also offered as a mixte) is a nice surprise from Trek, to be sold for $660. Hat tip to Darin K. for bringing this to our attention.
According to Trek, "the Belleville is the perfect choice for anybody looking for an Eco-smart bike with cargo capacity. Belleville comes completely equipped with front and rear racks, generator lights, and fenders to help you get the job done." Sounds like a BFROU!
The internet buzz is growing:
Cycling News: Commuter specials from Trek
Bike Hugger: Trek's Unexpected Mixte
Bike Hugger youtube video
Eco Velo: Trek Belleville
Here are the specs:
Frameset
Sizes 46, 51, 55, 59, 64cm
Frame Cro-Moly steel, city design
Fork High tensile steel w/rack mounts
Wheels
Wheels Shimano Nexus 3-speed rear hub, dyno front hub; alloy 36-hole rims
Tires Bontrager H2 Eco Design, 700x35c
Drivetrain
Shifters Shimano Nexus, 3 speed
Crank Alloy 3 piece, steel 44T chain ring
Cassette 19T cog
Pedals Steel city
Components
Saddle Bontrager Nebula Eco Design
Seat Post Steel
Handlebars Steel, city design
Stem Steel, integrated
Headset Aheadset w/semi-cartridge bearings, sealed
Brakeset Tektro alloy caliper
Accessories
Extras Matched fenders; chainguard; front and rear racks
If you've seen or ridden on one of these in real life, please leave a comment about your impression.
Is Specialized getting serious about bikes for the rest of us?
In an interesting development in the bike industry, Specialized has put all of its BFROU models into a "stand alone brand" called Globe. According to Specialized, Globe is part of the "dream of a world where bikes are the majority - where cars come with labels that say 'Use Sparingly'."
Not long ago, the Specialized Globe was the name of a single model - a basic hybrid offered to fill all the needs of the everyday cyclist. But now, rather than a Globe model, there's the Globe brand, which includes:
The Vienna series, which seems to have been scaled back from the prior models which we discussed here;
The Roll, which is your basic fixed gear/single speed urban "assault" model;
Haul, a nice-looking 8-speed cargo bike;
Carmel, a beach cruiser/comfort bike; and finally...
The Globe Live models, which appear to be the flagship Globe models, "for riders wanting an option for every whim." Notably, the Live 3 model is built on an aluminum frame and comes with belt drives, fenders, a chaincase, and porteur racks. The Globe Live 1 goes for $580, the Live 2 for $940, and the Live 3 for $1550. The Live 1 and Live 2 are also offered as mixtes.
Here are the specs for the Live 3:
FRAME Globe A1 Premium Aluminum cargo design, fully manipulated custom tubing w/ fender and rack braze-ons, integrated kickstand mount
FORK Globe Live straight-blade aluminum fork w/ custom forged crown and porteur basket/rack system
HEADSET 1-1/8" threadless, integrated, semi-cartridge campy style bearings
STEM Forged alloy, 2-bolt, 15 degree rise, 25.4mm clamp
HANDLEBARS Alloy, 25.4mm, 610mm wide, 43 degree up, 57 degree back sweep
TAPE Globe City 140mm
FRONT BRAKE Tektro Auriga Comp, hydraulic dual piston, w/160mm rotors
REAR BRAKE Tektro Auriga Comp, hydraulic dual piston, w/160mm rotors
BRAKE LEVERS Auriga Comp brake levers
SHIFT LEVERS Shimano Alfine tap fire, 8-speed
CASSETTE Gates belt drive cog, 24t
CHAIN Belt drive, 122 links
CRANKSET Sugino EX-1 aluminum, w/ alloy chainguard
CHAINRINGS Belt drive, 50t
BOTTOM BRACKET Cartridge bearing, square spindle with crank stop right side and capless bolts
PEDALS Classic full alloy pedal
RIMS Globe RHD 700c, alloy double wall disc specific, 36h
FRONT HUB Hi Lo flange, loose ball, QR, 36h
REAR HUB Shimano Alfine internal 8-speed, 36h
SPOKES 2mm (14g) stainless
FRONT TIRE Specialized Infinity Armadillo, 700x32c, 60TPI
REAR TIRE Specialized Infinity Armadillo, 700x32c, 60TPI
INNER TUBES Schraeder valve
SADDLE Specialized Body Geometry Fitness, 143mm width, front and rear bumpers
SEATPOST Alloy, 2-bolt forged head, 12.5mm offset, 27.2mm
SEAT BINDER Globe Chevron forged alloy, chrome plated
CHAINCASE Globe aluminum chain guard for internal gearing
KICKSTAND Pletscher double leg kickstand
RACK Globe porteur front rack/basket w/ wood bottom, 25kg recommended max capacity
FENDERS Globe classic aluminum fenders, long, 700C x 35C wide
If you buy or try out any of these models, let us know what you think in the comments!
The Raleigh Sojourn is classified as a touring bike, but it would also make an excellent commuter or all-arounder. Currently available at REI for $1,000.
There is much to like about this bike: aged Brooks saddle and matching bar tape; bar-end shifters; standard rack and SKS fenders; disc brakes; and the Reynolds 520 steel frame. Here are two reviews of the 2008 model:
Dirtrag Magazine
Bicycling Magazine
2009 Specs:
Sizes: 53/55/57/59/62cm
Frame: Reynolds 520 Butted Cr-Mo w/CNC dropouts, Spoke holders, pump peg
Fork: 4130 Cr-Mo Cross w/Disc Mounts
Cranks: Shimano FC-R453 Octalink 30/39/50t
Bottom Bracket: Shimano Octalink
F. Derailleur: Shimano Tiagra
R. Derailleur: Shimano Deore
Shifter: Shimano Dura-Ace Bar End, 9spd
Brake Levers: Tektro R200 Aero Road Levers
Brakes: Avid BB5 Road 160/140mm rotor
Gear: SRAM PG-950 9spd (11-34)
Rims: Freedom CTX 2.3 Trekking Double Wall
Tires: Vittoria Rondenour Cross w/Reflective Side 700x35c
Pedals: Wellgo M21, alloy body/cage
Handlebar: WTB Mtn Drop, 31.8
Stem: Alloy 3D Forged Ahead 2 bolt Clamp
Seatpost: Alloy Micro adjust 26.8 x 350mm
Seat: Brooks B17 Aged
Headset: 1-1/8 threadless
Colors: Khaki
Chain: KMC Z9000
Hubset: (F) Joytech Disc 32h (R) Joytech Disc 32h
Spokes: 14g Stainless MAC w/Alloy Nipples
Grips: Brooks Leather, Drk Brown
Extras: SKS Fenders, Cateye reflector set, Bell, Water bottle mounts, Rack, Lezyne Pressure Drive pump, Owners Manual
