Need a city bike..this is a harder search than I thought!

[paulrad9]

A few years ago we got a Specialized Sirrus for my wife. She wanted something she could use to commute, run errands and do some rides with me. It's worked well but she's had back problems over the years so I've been on the lookout for something which allows her to sit nearly straight up. The Electra Amsterdam (http://www.electrabike.com/home.php) is one of the first things we found and she likes it for a few reasons:
- style
- seating position
- step through frame
- skirt guard
- chain guard

I took the bike for a ride and frankly, I don't like it. Compared to the bikes I road in Europe, this *feels* like a cheap knock-off made in China. I say feels as I am not confident that it will explode any time soon, but I left the test ride wanting more - the skirt guard is clipped on with plastic attachment points and one popped off on my ride. The rack felt weak and I don't know if it would hold 40lbs of groceries. The generator light was noisy and had wires sticking out. Maybe I'm used to overbuilt bikes. I could always weld on the skirt guard and replace the rack and light.

This leaves me with a few options:

Suck it up and get the Amsterdam and move on
Find an importer of a genuine Dutch bike (http://dutchbikeseattle.com/html/bikes/swan.html) / keep looking on Craigs list for a used one
Built up something different, like a Rivendell Yves Gomez (http://www.rivbike.com/products/list/bicycle_models#product=50-704) . This option has the following issues: stem & seat collar same height, no chain cover or skit guard and 650b wheels.

Any thoughts?

Paul

[fiamme red]

Built up something different, like a Rivendell Yves Gomez (http://www.rivbike.com/products/list/bicycle_models#product=50-704)Yves Gomez is the men's mixte model, Betty Foy is the women's model.

[paulrad9]

Thanks and you're right! Outside of lugs and paint, I believe they are identical so she's leaning towards the Yves

[cadence90]

A. N. T. Bike Mike (http://www.antbikemike.com/bikes.html) makes terrific bikes.

http://antbikemike.files.wordpress.com/2008/04/light-roadster-2009-105.jpg?w=500&h=375

http://antbikemike.files.wordpress.com/2009/01/boston-roadster-09-086.jpg?w=500&h=375

[tab123]

I have a genuine Dutch bike purchased in Chicago. http://www.dutchbikeseattle.com/ Great shop.

I love the bike for most city riding. I can wear my nice work clothes with no fear of grease stains or showing skin from bending to get to the bars. I sit basically upright and am really visible to cars. (In fact I look down on some compact models.) It has panniers in lovely blue with white polka dots.

However, it is a tank; it weighs about 45 pounds. If you have a lot of hills to ride, I'm not sure it would be enjoyable for easy riding. It's perfect for Chicago, though. It also is a bear to maneuver in and out of my office building in the winter where I have to open two steel doors, keep one door open with my foot, etc.

Finally, if you care the Bike Snob thinks it is the SUV of bikes. Who knew?

Karen

[flydhest]

http://www.kogswell.com/index.php

A.N.T. bikes are plenty cool, as well.

http://www.velo-orange.com/vopomfr.html

[cadence90]

Ebisu from Jitensha (http://www.jitensha.com/eng/aboutframes_e.html) are also top-notch, huge bang-to-buck ratio.

http://www.jitensha.com/eng/images/06ebisupics/mxt_sdvw2.jpg

http://www.jitensha.com/eng/images/06ebisupics/yllwmixte_frnt.jpg

[dannyg1]

Why not just get the original? Jack Taylor, Raleigh Superbe/Sports or a Peugeot U-08. Use the extra money to buy 400lbs of groceries. :)

[rugbysecondrow]

new from Velo Orange

http://www.velo-orange.com/vopomfr.html

[Acotts]

I was gonna say Kogswell.

I had no idea there were that many cool bikes out there for cruisin'.

I'm gonna bookmark this post.

[Acotts]

If I had my druthers, I would sport one of these. Of course it might be a touch overkill. It sure would do a swell job handling potholes, curbs, small animals, children, and heavy artillery.

Oh yeah, and its about 8g's.

[EddieBirdsell]

I just picked up a 1972 Ross Europa III with a 3-speed internal hub off of Craigslist for $45. It's going to be one of my bar/train station bikes; generally, rides of <2 miles. Even came with a Pletscher rack. Plan is to put the largest basket Wald makes on front. If you're patient I'm sure something similar might come up on the Twin Cities area Craigslist.

[eddief]

Nice approach.

[rpm]

Go see Jim and Kevin at Hiawatha Cyclery:

http://hiawathacyclery.com

They specialize in utility bikes. They can fix you up with Rivendell, ANT, Surly, Salsa, Kogswell and more.

[pbjbike]

Here's the real deal, but it's a big one:

http://theproscloset.com/?l=1&product=13954&product_name=Batavus+Old+Fashion+Road+Bike+Townie+ Cruiser+Large+22%22

[dannyg1]

Another authentic Dutch cruiser:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Classic-3-speed-DUTCH-Retro-BIKE-black-Omafiets-New_W0QQitemZ270461145453QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_Def aultDomain_0?hash=item3ef8bd916d&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

[kohlboto]

I would take a look at the Gary Fisher Simple City:

http://www.fisherbikes.com/bike/model/simple-city-8

It's available in a 3 speed or 8 speed model but the 8 includes a beautifully designed front basket. We purchased one for my wife and she absolutely loves the aesthetics and finds it very comfortable (she's 8 months pregnant which is a great testament to the Fisher's comfort level). We went with the men's model as the step-through women's model seemed to feel too flexy.

[staggerwing]

I don't know how high up the food chain you want to go, but mixtes, like this (http://cincinnati.craigslist.org/bik/1397006410.html) show up all of the time. Peugeot's are pretty common too, although, some of the French sized parts can be difficult to update, if need be.

At that kind of price, you can easily stop over at velo-orange and add a few bits to make it more personal; like the Nitto Promenade bars, if you want to use MTB levers and click shifters, or the Left Bank bars if bar ends are more your style. Put one of Shimano's excellent, but inexpensive, modern 7-speed freewheels out back and have fun.

[weisan]

Have you considered this?
http://community.bikefriday.com/tikit

[Ken Robb]

Good idea Weisan--my New World Tourist is a dandy city bike with the added utility of folding into a Samsonite suitcase.