Recreational & Family - Milano v. Commuter 3.0 or other?

Hello, I am a complete newbie here.

I am 47 years old. I've had a Fuji Royale since 1981. I used to ride it regularly --short distances, not touring or racing -- in the 80s & 90s, but I don't ride much anymore.

I'd like to get a new bike for recreation and riding with my family. I'd like one with a Nexis 8-speed and fenders. I walk to the loca train station and take a train to work, so I'm not going to use this to commute.

There's a very good local bike shop in my town, which carries both Jamis and Bianchi. I like the owner alot and both my wife and daughter bought bikes from him this summer, and I like supporting a local sotre. I'm mainly considering the Jamis Commuter 3.0 and the Bianchi Milano. I have ridden a Commuter 2.0 (deraileur gearing), but not a Milano. I do like the looks and style of the Milano, but I think I'd prefer the 700 tires of the Commurter.

I gave some thought to an REI Fusion but I haven't read good things about it. I also tried a Electra Townie with 26 inch wheels (I didn't care of it), as well as an Townie 700c, which was alot of fun, but again I wonder about the build qualiyt of the Townies and whether it is just a fad.

I've read about Breezers, and they look interesting, but I'm not going to actually commute so I don't think a Breezer makes sense (not to mention they are more $).

Any suggestions?

Oh, and one other question--how much % discout off of list price is appropriate at a local bike shop?

Thanks in advance!

Rob

If you haven't been riding a lot, you might be surprised at how little difference the 26/700c thing makes. Also, some of the recumbent places have some fairly high performance 26" tires.
Between the two, I think the Bianchi looks better, but I'd probably like the riding position (for 20 mi or less) of the Jamis better.

Buying through a bike shop you like is worth a lot.
Ride 'em both, flip a coin...
I don't think you actually need to commute on a Breezer. They won't have you arrested or anything if you just ride one for fun :-)
Also, these are not the only options. Over on the commuting forum, "Dead Extra #2" home-brewed a Surley Karate Monkey with Nexus 8 and disks.
As you try to make up your mind, keep an eye out for a Schwinn Racer/Speedster/Traveler in 3 speed or a Raleigh Sports. Pretty much the same ride, but you should be able to put it together for under a hundred bucks. Figure out what you like and what you don't like, and decide accordingly.
In terms of price... the local shop lets you ride a bike. I've yet to see an internet place that'll let you do that for less than the cost of shipping it - twice. I'd sound them out, but not make a big deal about it. If I felt like I couldn't afford it, I'd go back to the Raleigh/Schwinn option.

Thanks, Mooo, that's sound advice.

Jamis Commuter 3


Bianchi Milano


Bianchi Bergamo - 21 speeds, 3spd. hub with 7spd. derailleur means you only shift with right hand.


Trek Clyde about $200 cheaper than the Milano at $459 nexus hub


The width of the tires will play a larger role in speed than the diameter; you can put narrower tires on the Milano but I don't think it'll make much difference at all unless you are racing. I've test ridden the Milano and it is one cool bike. I was humming the song "Lowrider" in my head; that's the attitude one has when riding one of these bikes. The Jamis is a nice bike but it's a yawner in the coolness department.

The Bergamo is more useful with its 21 speeds it can climb big hills, get good speed on the flats, and comes with a useful rack. You can bring along a picnic basket or pick up stuff at the store. It's got the 700c wheels.

The Trek is a cheaper option. It'll be a little slower but those big tires are comfy. You won't be climbing much with it but if cruising around the neighborhood or down the bike paths is your game; this bike will do fine. Felt makes a big line of cruisers that also look cool but they are heavy like the Trek.

Since I've got a mountain bike, a road bike, a cyclocross/commuter bike, I'd take the Milano and head over to the coffee shop. The Celeste green with the red stripe tires looks like something from the 50's.

If you are buying accessories along with your bike, it wouldn't hurt to inquire about a discount but these local bike shops are not rolling in money so I wouldn't push it. You'll get loads of valuable advice from the shop owner and more than likely, plenty of free servicing of your bikes. That's worth a whole lot more than a one-time discount on a bike.

You won't go wrong with any of these bikes Mooo or I suggested; pick one and go ride. Let us know what you got.

Thanks, BB. I'll give some thought to the Bergamo, although I do find the Nexis hub more appealing. My local shop doesn't carry Trek and I want to support him.

I won't be racing--and yes I do like to ride my bike on Sunday morning to the local coffee shop (not a Starbucks I'm happy to say!) :)

After several months, my LBS finally got a Commuter 3.0 in today (actually, two), and I stopped by on my way home. I was wearing a suit and it was dark, so I didn't ride it, but I was actually very disappointed in it's appearnace. . . it just seemed cheezy, for lack of a better word.

So I figured I would go for a Bianchi Milano.

But a different a has occured to me this evening, after surfing many posts here. Instead of getting a new bike, perhaps I will restore my 25 year old Fuji Royale, and, most importantly, convert it from a conventional 12-speed to a Nexis 8-speed (the upgraded "red band" version)? The owner of my LBS actually planted the seed of this idea a few weeks ago, when I brought my Fuji into his shop to get a new saddle. He suggested that sometime in the future we should restore it (that is, he would do the work) - at that time I didn't think of the converstion to the Nexis, but now that I've seen a few posts along those lines I am wondering if that is what I should do.

Looking at the Harris Cyclery webstie, it seems that the kep parts (new rear wheel with hub, shifter, and shift adapter) would be around $375. I'm sure there would be odds & end (and I know I need new pedals), plus of course labor. Woulld this make sense?

It's doable but does the Royale have the riding geometry you want these days? I'd replace the brake pads, the cables, and have the crankset bearings and front hub repacked. New tires and tubes; maybe you've kept all this stuff up to snuff.


Nothing gets you out there and riding like a new bike. If it were me, I'd go for the new bike, fix up the Royale on the side as a regular geared bike.

Talk it over with the bike shop; sometimes it is worth the money to upgrade an older bike, sometimes it isn't. I found a 70's Gitane in the trash and thought about fixing it up but it wouldn't be worth much more than the cost of the parts I'd have to buy for it. I gave it to somebody that works at a bike shop; he'll fix it up with parts he's got lying around then give it somebody in need.

...
But a different a has occured to me this evening, after surfing many posts here. Instead of getting a new bike, perhaps I will restore my 25 year old Fuji Royale, and, most importantly, convert it from a conventional 12-speed to a Nexis 8-speed (the upgraded "red band" version)?
...

Looking at the Harris Cyclery webstie, it seems that the kep parts (new rear wheel with hub, shifter, and shift adapter) would be around $375. I'm sure there would be odds & end (and I know I need new pedals), plus of course labor. Woulld this make sense?

The concept has merit, IMO.

I bought a '64 Schwinn Collegiate for $20 this Summer. It was pretty free of corrosion, but had no fenders and had an orange patina on all the chrome.

LBS had a 4 speed Nexus in their NOS bin. Hmmm

I took all of the stuff off the frame, sanded, primed, and painted it. Spent a few evenings with the bronze wool, and an afternoon degumming and repacking bearings. Had a new rear wheel built up and traded for a NOS 26x 1 3/8 front wheel (added after the pic was taken).
Schwinn Collegia-muter. (http://www.geocities.com/bishop2398/)

Including the fenders, and the paint, I have maybe 140-160 in it, or right at 20-21 cents/mile if you like to add it up that way.

So how does it work in practice?
I really really like the ride. Upright as it is, it discourages being in a great hurry. But it really is a pleasure.
I like the chrome rims, although I'm careful to wipe it off whenever I come home after a rainy ride.
Very well, so far. I've about 700 miles on it.
The Nexus 4 took 150 miles or so to break in properly. I quite like the coaster brake in town. Not everyone does. The Collegiate's dropout spacing was close enough to 130mm that the Nexus fits OK. Had it been much narrower, I'd probably have gone with a Sturmey 3 speed (AW) with a wider axle & spacers, then used a drum brake on the front.

For short rides, say 15 miles or less, it's a great ride.

After having a day to ponder this, the sense I have is that the total cost of a conversion-- including new paint so that the bike looks good again -- probably isn't worht it for me. I don't have the time or space or experience to do the work myself. I put a new saddle on the Fuji a few week back; I should probably just get a decent tune up for it and replace the old leather toe clips which are long gone. It is a fun bike to ride and it has alot of memories.

I think BBattle is right that a spiffy new bike would really get me out there again.

Today at lunch I hopped on the subway in Philly where I work, went one stop to Trophy Bikes, and tried and bought a Breezer Villager. I got an '06 at a nice discount too! :)

I am 47 years old.
I'm 62.


I'd like to get a new bike for recreation and riding with my family. I'd like one with a Nexis 8-speed and fenders. I walk to the loca train station and take a train to work, so I'm not going to use this to commute.
Ok, I'll bite. If you're not commuting why do you want fenders?

I'm 62.


Ok, I'll bite. If you're not commuting why do you want fenders?
I'd like to keep my cloths clean whether I'm commuting or riding through puddles with my kids.

Regarding commuting, I live in South Jersey and work in Philly. I walk from my house to the station (about a half mile), take the train to Philly, and walk several blocks from the station to my office. In about a year my office will be moving several blocks further from the station. After reading many of the posts at this site (mainly on the Commuting board), I've been thinking that it would be fun to ride my bike rather than walk to and from the two train stations--not to mention a time-saver.

I've only ridden the bike over the weekend an hour or so, but it was both fun and useful. I also feel pleased to have supported a company (Breezer) which appears to have excellant values.

I've been told by others that while Jamis makes some solid higher-end bikes, their lower lines are pretty average gear. Often having lower-end componentry than similarly-priced bikes from other companies.

I was lucky to find an 06 Breezer Villager for $525--$10 less than the Commuter 3.0. Had I gone with the Commuter and added lights, a rack, and a bell (all on the Breezer) the costs differnce would have been significant.

I will say that my wife has an 06 Jamis Explorer 2.0 and she is very happy with it.

After a month I'm as happy as I can be with my Villager. This week I started riding the bike as part of my commute (to and from the train stations at either end of my train ride). Sometime this spring I'm hoping to ride it all the way to and from work (about 9 miles).

Thank you Joe Breeze!

Congratulations! Breezers are known for quality and workmanship.