HopOnPop

Try this link
https://www.burley.com/products/commu...Runabout-7&i=1

14R 

Pretty cool bike Hopon. Thank you for the link.

donnamb 

I just emailed Breezer and asked them what the deal was with their lights. I'll post their reply when I get it.

rajman

I do! My Marin muirwoods (05) is a hardtail MTB with slicks and a rigid fork. It's awesome in city traffic (not so fast on a straightaway or a downhill as it's a small frame and it's hard to tuck and pump at the same time) good for roads, parks, potholes, snow, ice, gravel, and stop and go riding!

h00ligan

the breezer and villager interest me - but they seem like they could be very slow bikes - not sure why i get that feeling - my commute is so short.. i mean 2.5-3 miles.. through manhattan.. i wonder how long that should take.. manhattanites?

Merriwether

It's not illegal(!) in the U.S. for manufacturers to include lights with their bikes, as stock equipment. There are no federal recommendations against it, either. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) -- one of a legion of federal nanny agencies, for our non-American friends -- requires that all bicycles be provided by manufacturers, and sold as new by retailers, with a set of reflectors. Many states have redundant requirements for retailers selling new bikes. The CPSC does not require lights, but they don't forbid them, either. No state in the union requires lights as standard equipment on bicycles, but no state forbids them, either.

Surprisingly for an agency charged with overseeing the manufacture of consumer goods, CPSC does offer some advice for bicycle *riders*, too, on any bicycles they ride, whether new or used. Even this advice is not to avoid riding at night altogether. CPSC does advise that parents not allow children ever to ride at night, though in some places this warning is phrased in a way to suggest it is meant to apply only to younger children. In the case of adults, CPSC suggests that riders should have proper lights if they ride at night. CPSC does add that even adults should avoid narrow, high speed roads while riding at night, but obnoxious as this advice is, it is a far cry from the advice to avoid riding altogether at night.

On the off chance that anyone reading this forum anywhere would take even a moment's care for the CPSC's advice on bike riding, the advice is purely advisory, and has no direct legal significance for riders. Even manufacturers aren't bound by any of this riding advice. However, both riders and manufacturers *could* find themselves with a disadvantageous legal position in civil court, if it ever came to that, if they acted contrary to CPSC's advice. A bike rider suing a driver who negligently injured the properly lit cyclist on a narrow road with a high speed limit could meet with the reply that the bike rider was riding dangerously according to the CPSC, for example. I don't know whether this has ever happened. (These comments are distinct from the significance of CPSC regulations, of course, which are binding on manufacturers.)

In recent years, bicycle manufacturers selling bikes in the U.S. have tended to offer the advice never to ride at night. This advice is not because of CPSC regulations, or because of any federal regulations. Rather, it is to simplify the manufacturers' positions in civil court, where they will inevitably face lawsuits from riders who were injured while riding at night. The manufacturers do not want to argue that they provided adequate equipment on a bike meant to be used at night. This desire is understandable, in that the reflectors with which bikes are fitted are legally insufficient for night riding in nearly every state in the union. So, they claim instead that bicycles are not meant by the manufacturers to be used at night.

I would guess the Breezer manuals don't say *that*, given that the bikes come with lights clearly meant to be used at night, but those who own the bikes can tell us.

In any case, the history of the reflector requirements apparently includes some documented desires of bicycle manufacturers to avoid a legal requirement to include headlamps on bicycles. Whatever the motives of bike manufacturers, I am glad there is no such requirement. Mandatory headlamps would surely be inferior to the accessory lights now widely available. So riders like most of us in the forums would just replace them with better lights immediately, after having paid for the stock lights in the purchase price of a new bike.

Some of you who hope that bicycling catches on widely as a practical mode of transportation would do well to consider the annoying regulation that would inevitably follow. As it is, we can buy bikes without lights, and put whatever we want on them. What bikes would look like after some pushy regulator got through with them would probably not be more to our liking. We'd have to pay more for equipment we didn't want, and we might have some of our aftermarket options reduced, too. Consider that now there are very few legal regulations regarding what sort of lighting is acceptable for on-road riding. Think of all of our choices: halogen, HID, helmet, bar, battery, generator, etc. Compare the situation to that of motorcycles, or cars, which have lengthy regulations distinguishing between acceptable on- and off-road lights. Or, compare the situation to that in some European countries, where battery lights are not legal for bicycles(!). If you want some state bureaucrat telling you that your NiteRider helmet light shines too much light upward for road use, or has an inadequate reflector design, or is illegal because it uses only a battery, the surest path is to recruit more and more frightened and inexperienced riders onto public roads...

thdave

I have a 6.5 mile trip that takes me a half an hour. Your 3 mile trip should take half that long. Even with a very slow bike, you will have a very short commute.

I was concerned about the same issue with the Breezer. I thought it might be too slow. It is a little slower than my hybrid--by about a minute for my half hour trip. I'm sure I could cut off 5 minutes or so with a road bike.

I test rode one and felt it had enough speed. It only weighs 31 pounds. You might feel differently, however, and size might be an issue.

Ride several types of bikes. I was impressed with all the bikes at the local bike shops. The quality is good and I like the styles, even though I wish they stocked more utility bikes.
.

CBBaron

I'm another bicycle commuter who probably would NOT buy a commuter style bike. Ofcourse I don't have any stock bikes and my commuter is the least stock.
I find flat/riser bars uncomfortable so I'd perfer something with more sweep. I also find I perfer a litte more aggressive riding position so the upright bikes don't appeal to me.
My commuter is an old touring bike converted to fixed gear. It was a 27" so I had to replace the front canti brakes with an extra long reach caliper to fit the 700C wheels (the brake studs were too high and close). I've installed a moustache bar and a Brooks saddle in addition to the rack, fenders and lights.
Actually looking at stock bikes the Redline 925 already sold in the US would work pretty well for me. The Bianchi San Jose is close but I want fixed not SS.
Ofcourse if my commute or climate was different I'd probably ride a different bike. The great thing about bikes is it is easy and inexpensive to customize your own to meet your needs.

Craig

thdave

Well said, Ellen!

I've always enjoyed biking, but do it much more often when it is for transportation. Luckily, my neighborhood and job location make that possible.

When you think about biking for transportation, you want these kind of bikes and when you own one you smile. It is an attitude.

I went to a market last night, and, of course, rode my bike. It was just after a good rain (we needed it). The clouds were clearing and the sun was setting. The air was misty and the sky was amazing. I took my "grocery bag," which attaches to my rack and filled it up and came home in the dark using my lights. It was a great.

A colleague of mine just got back from a trip to Germany. He went to Munich and other smaller cities in that area. He said that when you got to an interesction in town, there were a dozen bikes there. All ages and all types were on them. Most were utility bikes. I just love that. I'd love to see that spread here. I think it can with utility bikes. Not sure it will without them.

That said, it is just as obvious that if you live in the country a road bike is better for you. You will go faster and will enjoy the country roads. You won't want all that equipment.

KnoxBreezer

+1. I think the discussion here has more to do with "off the shelf" euro-style commuter/utility bikes rather than custom or non-stock assemblies. People who are "into" cycling (ie most of the people reading this) are not the same type who are walking in cold off the street looking for a city transport/utility bike. The problem new riders face is finding themselves with lack of options in the shop (I had to travel 150 miles to pickup my Breezer). Most shops will steer these new riders towards an entry level hardtail mountain bike, or possibly the one or two comfort/hybrid bikes they have on the floor. They will almost never have something with fenders, let along fenders + rack + lights. Same thing happened to me two years ago when I started cycling.

I think it's funny that people think Breezers "look" slow. thedave's sentiments above are spot on. A slightly faster bike is only going to shave a minute or two off of relatively short commutes (3-6 miles). My Breezer is a tank when it's loaded up, rides like a caddy, and I've developed a great deal of fitness as a result. I imagine that I probably get a better workout on my grocery getter everyday than most roadies do on their 30-40 mile fast club rides on carbon fiber bikes.

I really like the Burley Runabout linked above. It still needs fenders and lights, but I definitely dig the setup and direction of that build.

apw55

Seems as though it may be time to pony up and put our money where our mouths are.

Many, if not all, of the participants in this thread have been a part of numerous other Euro bike threads that have appeared during the past few months and have strongly expressed the desire to see U.S. makers offer practical Euro Style commuter / utility bikes here.

Looks as though Cannondale may have listened. This thread’s OP has revived the “Cannondale Street Rohloff” thread with information regarding the upcoming release of the Cannondale Street Pro, which looks to be the model listed in the 2005 UK catalog as the Street Nexus Headshok (except for color).

Time to place your orders

Regards,
Alan

donnamb 

Fast response from Breezer. Here's what I wrote them:

Here's their reply:

jordanb

The problem is that for most manufactuers a "commuter bike" is a cheapo rigid aluminum frame mountian bike with a hub gear in it. That's what Breezer sells and that's essentially what the Bianchi Milano is (a bike which I bought and very much regretted). They are nothing like the Gazelle bikes or aforementioned Kronan Cykel, except for the hub gear.

I made my own commuter bike out of an old Schwinn Suburban, which is much closer to something like the Kronan Cykel than any so-called "commuter" avaliable today in the USA:

https://neighborhoods.chicago.il.us/a/Bicycles/

ducati

Why didn't you like the Milano, jordanb?

I-Like-To-Bike

Good idea.

Word of advice to "this guy": don't reference passages from the Book of Forester and expect others to accept your/his silly assertions as gospel.

I-Like-To-Bike

THIS is a typical European Commuter Bike. Formerly sold by the zillions in the US until the marketing boys dropped it like a soiled chamois diaper.


or this:

CBBaron

Not sure what type of shops are normally selling Breezers but the local Breezer dealership is our local hardware store. It about 1/2 mile from my house and the only other bikes I have seen there are some high end kids trikes and a huffy single speed cruiser.
I doubt you are going to change the opinions of many LBS employees about what bikes to suggest but perhaps small shops like that hardware store are a good direction to go for utility bikes.
Craig

crtreedude 

Interesting, when I first looked at the picture, I thought it was my bike - there are differences to be sure - but my F900 is pretty close to what I see there.

It isn't heavy - very light to me (24 lbs I think) and I have the extra large frame. I have thousands of miles - some of them pretty hard - on it. Still like new.

I have the front fender pretty much working - but the rear is still a work in progress.

apw55

True. My point is that the internal hub versions of the Cannondale Street have been mentioned in several threads (including this one) and now that Cannondale is offering one for sale in the U.S., it's time for those (including myself) who have expressed this interest, to take action (i.e. order one). It will be interesting to see if there is enough interest (orders) for Cannondale to continue to carry it in the U.S. catalog for more than one year. It will also be interesting to see if any of the participants (including me) in this thead or any of the other threads, acutally order one and then write a review.

So far, I believe that the only internal hub Cannondale that any BF members have personal experience with is the 50 / 50.

Nice job on the Suburban. I've sort of been keeping my eye out for a 3 speed version but have too many bikes (wife's opinion) already. Is that a Nexus hub? I've been intrigued by the new S-A 8 speed because it has much narrower axle spacing (118mm) than the Nexus. It would require less frame modification.

Regards,
Alan

I-Like-To-Bike

Since it is true that the Cannondale product is nothing like the type of bicycle that people anywhwere are expressing a desire for, and nothing like a typical bike used for commuting anywhere in the rest of the world - why should anyone be interested in "taking action"?

fender1

I have and ride a Cannondale 50/50. As I had stated before I like the bike and used it for my 33 mile RT commute. That being said, I did find I had to add a stem extender to raise the handle bars up to compensate for some wrist pain. I am 6'1'' and have a large frame bike. I have found the bike to be sure footed in inclimate weather, rough terain etc. and the nexus 8 hub has worked very well. It is a mountain bike with an internal hub and an eccentric bottom bracket. I have always gone with the idea that any bike you ride form one place to another (racing not withstanding) is a commuter bike. The idea that companies make "commuter bikes" in my mind is an untruth. Companies make bikes to sell and we as consumers decide what type of use the bikes get. As for Cannondale, they sell what the markets will buy and can and do whatever they feel is in the best interest of their investors. I beleive they were bought by a Private Equity concern and since have been successful after nearly going under.

I have never been to Europe and can't comment on the riding habits of the EU, but it seems biking is considered a more serious mode of transportation than in the US and as such is an apples and oranges comparison. What is available in Europe is a result of the demand and the same for the US. I bought the 50/50 becuase I liked the bike and still do. I am not using it for my commute as much, riding an old Trek for that mostly, but the 50/50 is also great for around town/ shopping/towing my son on his trailer bike. Doing all of these things on a bike improve the quality of my life, which is not a factor in any bike manufacturers product design or reasearch and development. So my point I guess it to buy a bike you like, ride it alot, make any changes you feel are needed if at all and not worry about company product lines, Europe vs. US biking habits, as eveything is in a constant state of change. One day we may wake up and have a lot more people commuting via bike in the US and if that happens the markets/bike makers will adapt.

apw55

Because the OP, in his second sentence said “The new 2007 Cannondale Street is a pretty sweet bike for commuting. Internal Hub, fenders, rear rack, all nice.”, because the “Cannondale Street Rohloff” thread from April was revived in the past couple of days, and because most every other “Euro / Dutch Bike” thread that I’ve read over the past few months has included comments from individuals expressing frustration that these bikes (Cannondales w/ internal hubs) are unavailable in the U.S.

Regards,
Alan

I-Like-To-Bike

But, except for the internal hub, the picture of the Cannondale displayed didn't have any of those features and, as previously stated, resembles nothing even remotely close to a European Commuter Bike.

Allen

I don't know ILTB, it reminds me a lot of a Kettler Alpha.
Sloping top tubes are becoming more common.

14R 

And here is the picture of the 2007 people are talking about