Gran Royale Cogsville, vs. Schwinn Sid?
 

My father, who is retired, mentioned over the holidays that what he'd really like is a new bike just like the three-speed Schwinns he had as a kid. After visiting him and riding a few miles on the POS Walmart Kulana cruiser he's currently got, I agree. He lives about half a block from the ocean and leaves his bike locked in the open carport, so no matter what it is, it's going to rust. No point in getting something expensive, and no point getting him a vintage bike that'll just disintegrate and make me feel bad (which is a pity...I've got a '76 Raleigh Superbe that would be perfect for him). So, it needs to be semi-disposable.

Looking on the Internet, the most appropriate bike out there now seems to be the Gran Royale Cogsville. Can't seem to find many reviews. Has anyone tried it?

The only other option seems to bet the Schwinn Sid, which is a little more expensive and has caliper brakes (which I prefer, but my dad seems to like coaster brakes). Any reviews?

You might ask this question in the Classic and Vintage forum. You might even think of restoring an old Schwinn.

Are you referring to the automatic gearing Sid?

No, I think Schwinn has changed the specs -- the one they're selling now has a 3-speed Nexus and a Revo shifter. Actually, I'd prefer the 3-speed Coffee, but they're only selling it as a single-speed. Go figure.

As for vintage bikes: that's what I ride, and I love them, but my dad isn't the same kind of geek I am, so I know he wouldn't take care of it and I'd get all sad. I don't care what happens to a new bike, but I get all uptight about the old ones -- irreplaceable pieces of history, y'know? ;)