City Bike Reco's?

[Hardlyrob]

My wife is interested in getting a cruiser / city bike for quick runs to the hardware store, coffee, bagels in the morning etc. These trips will be a whopping 2-3 miles total, but it beats firing up the car.

Any suggestions?
Good bikes?
Bad bikes?
Things to think about?

Thanks!

Rob

[palincss]

The Breezer line is a great place to start.

[Ken Robb]

my 1989 B'stone MB-3 is good for this kind of riding. It has a gel saddle and some Riv "Priest" bars that are similar to their current Albatross. I have a Blackburn rack and one jandd "Grocery" pannier that holds exactly one large paper bag and folds flat against the side of the rack when not used. If I added a second pannier it would hold LOTS of stuff for touring too.

[michael white]

I think the Breezers are probably the best overall city bikes.
the Gary Fisher Simple City bikes are the coolest, but a little pricey I think.
the Felt Cafe 8 seems really functional.
don't forget the Bianchi Milano, also very cool, or any of the Swobo bikes.

[malcolm]

The wife and I have had townies with 7 speed nexus hubs for 2-3 years now and they are great around the neighbor hood.

[Smiley]

Kogswell series 650 B with baskets

www.kogswell.com

[tab123]

Electra Townie. The "flat foot technology" is wonderful for errand running. I love mine.