Schwinn Brighton and Allston

Schwinn's Brighton 1 (top) and Allston 1 (bottom).  Photos courtesy of www.schwinnbikes.com.

Schwinn's Brighton 1 and Allston 1 are steel bikes with fenders, chainguards, and rear racks that go for about $660.  Both bikes have Shimano Nexus 8-speed internal gear hubs.

This is a very practical bike at a decent price.  In terms of elegance and function, it's comparable to the Linus Roadster 8.  Schwinn says the fenders and rear rack "make a utility and fashion statement."  Yes, we agree - we've been saying that since 2008 and hoping for more bikes like these.

Schwinn also says that these models are available "exclusively" at Schwinn signature independent bike shops.  That's a positive development and a show of support by Schwinn for local business owners.

Here are the specs for the Allston 1 (the Brighton 1 has nearly identical specs):

Size

SM, MD

Frameset

Frame

Schwinn steel classic step-thru Dutchi

Fork

Schwinn rigid steel

Drivetrain

Crank

Alloy 3-piece 38T

Bottom Bracket

Cartridge

Derailleurs

N/A (F), N/A (R)

Shifters

Shimano Revoshift

Cog Set

19T

Chain

KMC Z410A

Wheels

Rims

Weinmann ZAC19 alloy 36H

Size

700 x 38

Spokes

14G stainless

Tires

Kenda K-192 700 x 38

Components

Pedals

Schwinn Bow Tie

Brakes

Alloy caliper

Brake Levers

Alloy

Handlebar

Alloy classic riser, 25.4

Stem

Alloy quill, 25.4

Headset

1" threaded

Saddle

Classic lightweight springer saddle

Seatpost

Alloy 25.4 x 300 mm

Extras

Extras

Classic stitched grips, fenders, rear rack

Momentum Bicycles (by Giant)

Giant's Momentum Street bikes: double-diamond model at top, mid-step at bottom. Photos courtesy momentum-biking.com

Momentum Street models are available in 5 colors, as a double-diamond or mid-step, and sell for just $425.

Giant, the world's largest bike manufacturer, is making low-cost bikes for the rest of us. They're 7-speed aluminum bikes that come standard with fenders, rear racks (with bag mounts), nominal chainguards, integrated cup holders, and even a frame-mounted u-lock carrier.  At $425, this is a highly utilitarian bike and a really good deal.

Rack, fenders, cup holder for $425 - need more space so I can get one of these! @bikerackdc #bikedc pic.twitter.com/Z2NNzaC4Z6

— Joe Flood (@joeflood) August 15, 2015

Outside Magazine has a positive review (as well as some discussion about Specialized's now-defunct Globe series).

Specifications

Sizes	Small, Regular, Large
Colors	Double Diamond:  Black/White  Blue/Bronze  Matte Green/Orange Mid-Step:  Blue/White  Red/Pearl White
Frame	ALUXX-grade aluminum with integrated rear carrier and cup holder, double diamond and mid-step options
Fork	High Tensile Chromoly Steel
Handlebar	Alloy, Mid rise
Stem	Alloy Quill
Seatpost	Alloy, 30.9
Saddle	Riveted Retro-Classic Comfort, coil spring
Pedals	Alloy/Anti-Slip Platform
Shifters	Shimano Revo, Twist
Front Derailleur	N/A
Rear Derailleur	Shimano Tourney

Brakes	Alloy, Direct Pull
Brake Levers	Alloy Comfort
Cassette	Shimano TZ31 14x34, 7-speed
Chain	Z51KMC Z51, Nickel Plated
Crankset	Alloy, 42T
Bottom Bracket	Sealed Cartridge
Rims	Giant Alloy, Double wall
Hubs	Alloy, 32h
Spokes	Stainless Steel, 14g
Tires	Kenda Kwick Roller, puncture protection, 700x32
Extras	Chainguard, Kickstand, Bell, Integrated Rack with Straps and removable bag mounts, Integrated Cup Holder, Frame Mounted U-Lock Carrier

Detroit Bikes

Detroit Bikes offers an A-Type (top) and B-Type (bottom). Photos courtesy detroitbikes.com

Detroit Bikes A or B models go for about $700 + whatever accessories you choose.

Two years ago, after we did a post about Shinola, I received an email recommending that we check out Detroit Bikes.  And so, a mere 2 years later, I checked out Detroit Bikes.  I found two simple, attractive cruisers that come with fenders, chainguards, and internal gear hubs.

Detroit Bikes says its "mission is to encourage cycling by making an accessible, enjoyable bicycle while continuing Detroit’s legacy of quality manufacturing and design."  In a recently-released video, they state an additional goal: to double the number of bikes made in the USA.  It's hard not to root for these guys, especially when they create jobs with a livable wage and health care benefits.

A few specs:

Frame: 4130 chromoly, tig-welded
Brakes: coaster
Gears: Shimano Nexus 3-speed internal gear hub
Tires: Kenda Kwest 700 x 32
Rear rack: 35 lb capacity

Salsa Marrakesh

2016 Marrakesh with drop bars (top) and flat bars (bottom). Courtesy: Salsa's Culture Blog

New for 2016, Salsa Cycles is offering Marrakesh for around $1,600.

The Marrakesh looks like a really nice touring bike, at least the version with the Salsa Cowchipper bars (I can't imagine touring with flat bars, even if they do have a slight bend - you need multiple hand positions).  I like touring bikes (my main ride is a Miyata 1000 LT) because their ability to haul a heavy load over long miles necessarily makes them useful and versatile bikes.  It's why I'm a fan of Surly's LHT/Disc Trucker.

The LHT now has some serious competition.  The interesting thing is that both Surly and Salsa (as well as Civia, All-City and others) are owned by Quality Bicycle Products (QBP).  I can just imagine how that QBP board meeting went down:

QBP Head Honcho: OK, let's talk 2016 products.  Surly, go ahead.

Surly: Fat, fat, fat, fat. As you know, we're all about the fat bikes.  And we just keep getting fatter.  Like land-on-the-moon fat.

QBP Head Honcho: Fantastic. People love those fat bikes. OK, how about you Salsa?

Salsa: As you know, our slogan is "Adventure by Bike." So, new for 2016, we're putting out a touring bike called the Marrakesh.

Surly: Wait... what?

Salsa: It comes with disc brakes, room for wide tires (700 x 40 mm) and fenders, and includes a rear rack.

Surly: We already produce a touring bike with disc brakes. The Disc Trucker.

Salsa: We know!!! Where do you think we stole the idea from?  Anyway, we're "Adventure by Bike." That certainly includes touring bikes.  And you're... you know, fat.  Like, Ice Cream Truck fat.

Surly: This is starting to get insulting.  

QBP Head Honcho: Salsa has a point. Adventure by Bike is not just about riding trails.  It's also the open road.  OK, anything else?

Salsa: Yes, we also have this whole fat bike line-up we call Bear Grease. Because nothing says "Adventure by Bike" like fat bikes! Fat, fat, fat, fat.

Surly: *face palm*

End scene.

Of course, I'm not sure if that's how it really went down. Maybe QBP Head Honcho can provide us with some clarification.

Here are the specs on the 2016 Marrakesh:

Giant Simple Three W

For 2016, a "lifestyle" cruiser from Giant. Courtesy: http://www.giant-bicycles.com

Giant offers the Simple Three W, an aluminum 3-speed cruiser, for around $490.

Here's a large bicycling company, truly a giant in the industry, marketing to women. This is something we've seen again and again (for example, the Trek Cocoa ad campaign), because women are the bicycle industry's major untapped consumer market.  Some women-specific models have been successful, like Giant's Suede, others a bit ridiculous, like the Trek Lime (discussed here).

Giant's "Liv" campaign (on twitter it's @Livgiant) features images of competitive female athletes, as well as regular women riding "lifestyle" bikes like the Simple Three W.  The "W" is apparently there in case you had any doubt that the model was being marketed toward women.  By the way, if you'd like to read a fun rant about women-specific bikes, here's a good one by Amanda Batty.

Marketing is one thing; bicycle design is another.  As Velouria, the Lovely Bicycle blogger, put it: "We are women, we are wonderful, and we need bicycles designed for us." I think the industry needs more women designing bicycles.  Sure, there is Sky Yaeger (of Bianchi, Swobo, and Shinola fame), but "bike designer" remains a male-dominated profession. 

The Simple Three is inexpensive and basic.  In short, it's cheap transportation, and there's absolutely nothing wrong with that!   Comes with chainguard, fenders, kickstand, and a front basket.  Here are the specs:

FRAME

SIZES One Size Fits Most
COLORS White/Blue, Red/Purple
FRAME ALUXXgrade aluminum
FORK Chromoly
SHOCK N/A

COMPONENTS

HANDLEBAR Women's Steel Cruiser
STEM Alloy quill
SEATPOST Alloy, 27.2mm
SADDLE Liv Comfort Cruiser, w/ SuperSoft foam
PEDALS Nylon, Antislip platform

DRIVETRAIN


SHIFTERS Shimano Revo, Twist
FRONT DERAILLEUR N/A
REAR DERAILLEUR N/A
BRAKES Shimano, Coaster brake
BRAKE LEVERS N/A
CASSETTE Shimano 22T, 3speed internal
CHAIN KMC Z410, Rustproof
CRANKSET Giant alloy 3piece, 44T
BOTTOM BRACKET Threaded, Sealed

WHEELS

RIMS Giant Alloy
HUBS [F] Alloy, [R] Shimano Nexus, 3speed
internal, 36h
SPOKES Stainless steel, 14g
TIRES CST Cruiser, 26x2.125

OTHER

EXTRAS Front Basket, Fenders, Kickstand