ARTHUR--RITIS

Would you buy either one of these bikes ? Whats good and whats bad about these two ? Do you think they would make a good ,[ Jack of all trades] type of bike ?

Moonshot

Think long and hard about the type of riding you'll be doing over the next few years. I assume it'll be on the road.

Are you sure a traditional double diamond road bike is not a better choice? These commuter bikes are mainly for short trips (less than 15 miles).

They're both nice, but the Breezer seems better equipped at about half the cost.

johann

It seems they each target a different segment of the commuter market...

Burly has front disk brake, rear drum brake, and a more stripped down design. Villager is more "tricked" out with fenders, integrated wheel lock, chain guard and a generator/light combo. The Villager has mountain bike style rim brakes.

Seems like you could choose between lots of bells and whistles or a more spartan bike. Nothing says you can't add the same things to the Burley (adding the chain guard might be the most problematic?)

At any rate, I really like internal gear hubs, except for when it comes to changing flats.

randya

The Burley looks more like a mountain bike with an internal hub and smooth tires; the Breezer is more of a true city bike w/ fenders, lights, chainguard, kickstand and integrated wheel lock. Other than that there are differences in the frame and components, the biggest of which is that the Burley has a 4130 CrMo steel frame, and the Breezer a 7005 aluminum frame. Also there is some confusion in the Burley specs as to whether this bike is equipped with a SRAM or Shimano rear hub.

I really like this style of bike; there have been other recent Bike Forum threads on the topic of commuter bikes like these. Other bikes in this class to consider are the Trek L-200 and Bianchi Milano (both similar to the Breezer). I think Cannondale makes a bike similar to the Burley. Kettler and Biria also make bikes similar to the Breezer, if you can find a dealer.

Burley gets a plus in my book for being made in Oregon; Breezers are supposed to ride real nice; I've got a Trek L400 that I really like...in the end I think it all depends on how the bike fits and how it feels on the road.

However, to answer your question directly, of these two bikes I would probably go for the Breezer.

jfz

I like the Breezer but recently I purchased a TREK 820 (on sale for $169.95) and have decided to add the lights, fenders and stuff I need. I got tired of waiting for American dealers to stock commuting bikes at a decent price. The Trek dealer did not even stock one commuting bike for this season.

Patrick A

Man, the 820's been around a while (with changes, of course). I picked up a 94 or 95 820 that I've converted to a commuter, and as far as I'm concerned for the money converting a hardtail ATB is a little more cost effective than buying an out of the box commuter (though nothing against Breezer or Burly - I'd own either if I could). I bought my bike for $75 out of the classifieds in the local paper. Anyhow, as time and money permitted, I added fenders, a rack, lights, riser bar and ends, bell, and slicks. By carefully shopping (because I'm a cheap bastid) total outlay (as of right now) with the bike's initial cost included is a little under $200, quite a deal.

Now I'm upgrading to better components and so forth, like better wheels (just busted my back wheel, the OE junk), Armadillos, took off the front derailleur, soon to get a generator and capacitor and better lighting, better rack, etc, etc...I can load up on the good stuff and not feel guilty that I just dropped $500+ and still have to get a bunch of stuff for a new bike. However, the Breezer is pretty well optioned out. For $700 or so, you get the 7 speed internal hub and the lights with generator, fenders, etc. The ONLY thing I don't like about the Breezer is the aluminum frame, but I could probably get over that. Plus I don't need shock absorbing seat posts and such, which I think are kind of silly but that's just my opinion. Thing is, though, it that I'm going to have a pretty much bomb proof bike when I'm done, and it'll still be cheaper than either of these bikes.

Er, just noticed I wrote a ton. Sorry 'bout that.

jfz

The other reason I chose to go the way I did is because the Breezer dealer is about 60 miles from my house.

alexatbike

Last week I started a similar thread:

Breezer Villager vs Specialized Globe vs Trek L200

Read through it if you can find it. People make some good points. In general, most people (myself included) liked the Breezer the most. Also, The Breezer Greenway or Liberty look like excellent options for a longer commute. They come decked out like the Villager.

I'd snap up the Villager in a second except there are only 3 dealers in the STATE!!! The closest one in Naples on the gulf coast!

alexatbike

Here's the link:

https://www.bikeforums.net/commuting/47705-new-bike-tire-light-questions.html

PaulH

The disk/drum brake combination on the Burley would be good for wet weather and eliminate the hassle frequent brake pad replacements. On the other hand, the Breezer has a generator, fenders, chainguard, and so on already installed. The Breezer lookds like a good deal by comparison.

Paul