Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Commuting
Reload this Page >

New Commuter Bike on Market

Notices
Commuting Bicycle commuting is easier than you think, before you know it, you'll be hooked. Learn the tips, hints, equipment, safety requirements for safely riding your bike to work.

New Commuter Bike on Market

Old 08-19-13, 10:46 AM
  #1  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Berkley, Michigan USA
Posts: 81

Bikes: 1972 Gitane Gransport, 1985 Gitane Performance

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 9 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
New Commuter Bike on Market

The Detroit Bikes is just starting up. Bike comes in any color as long as it is black and will cost $550.
Attached Images
File Type: jpg
Scan00030023ss.jpg (93.0 KB, 202 views)

Last edited by Len S; 08-19-13 at 10:51 AM.
Len S is offline  
Old 08-19-13, 10:56 AM
  #2  
Senior Member
 
bikemig's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Middle Earth (aka IA)
Posts: 20,505

Bikes: A bunch of old bikes and a few new ones

Mentioned: 178 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5877 Post(s)
Liked 3,445 Times in 2,066 Posts
I like it. A bit pricey but looks well spec'd. Not entirely comfortable with one size fits all but I understand why the manufacturer chose this. I don't own a good quality 3 speed but I've always thought they make great commuters.
bikemig is offline  
Old 08-19-13, 11:49 AM
  #3  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Lancaster, PA, USA
Posts: 1,851

Bikes: 2012 Trek Allant, 2016 Bianchi Volpe Disc

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
You could spend the same and get a Trek Allant, which has 21 speeds instead of 3 and has hand brakes instead of coasters. Also, won't this steel frame rust in the rain? I wonder why they chose that over aluminum.
spivonious is offline  
Old 08-19-13, 01:13 PM
  #4  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Berkley, Michigan USA
Posts: 81

Bikes: 1972 Gitane Gransport, 1985 Gitane Performance

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 9 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
Here is a link for aluminum vs steel. https://www.missionbicycle.com/about...el-vs-aluminum

I personally do not use very many speeds. 3 or 4 typically. Lots of gears sounds great but the top and bottom end ratios are the most important with something in the midldle in my view. Brakes? I have had both and I think a combo is a good idea ..... as long as the front is not to grabby. I also like the idea of made in American and not China or even Taiwan.
Len S is offline  
Old 08-19-13, 01:52 PM
  #5  
It's MY mountain
 
DiabloScott's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Mt.Diablo
Posts: 9,991

Bikes: Klein, Merckx, Trek

Mentioned: 70 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4311 Post(s)
Liked 2,953 Times in 1,601 Posts
Used to see those on navy bases and ship yards... not bad for riding over crane rails and scrap metal but I wouldn't want to ride it on real streets.
DiabloScott is offline  
Old 08-19-13, 02:53 PM
  #6  
Thunder Whisperer
 
no1mad's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: NE OK
Posts: 8,847

Bikes: '06 Kona Smoke

Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 275 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 6 Times in 2 Posts
It has promise, but there are a couple of things that could/should have been better thought out- that rear rack and those fenders. Even putting a mudflap on the front one and there will still be plenty of spray thrown up. I'm of the opinion that the front fender should extend to at least the same height as the bottom bracket or none at all . And I would have included a kickstand...
__________________
Community guidelines
no1mad is offline  
Old 08-19-13, 03:02 PM
  #7  
Mad bike riding scientist
 
cyccommute's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Denver, CO
Posts: 27,274

Bikes: Some silver ones, a red one, a black and orange one, and a few titanium ones

Mentioned: 150 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6147 Post(s)
Liked 4,092 Times in 2,325 Posts
Originally Posted by Len S
Here is a link for aluminum vs steel. https://www.missionbicycle.com/about...el-vs-aluminum

I personally do not use very many speeds. 3 or 4 typically. Lots of gears sounds great but the top and bottom end ratios are the most important with something in the midldle in my view. Brakes? I have had both and I think a combo is a good idea ..... as long as the front is not to grabby. I also like the idea of made in American and not China or even Taiwan.
Don't believe everything you read on the internet. Your link is laughable and aptly named. "Oversimplified", indeed. First, steel is not a "softer" material than aluminum. Don't believe me? Make an aluminum hammer and try to drive a steel nail with it.

Aluminum isn't glass nor should it be compared to glass. It doesn't 'break before it bends'. Yes, it tears when it breaks but it doesn't "shatter". If anything steel, because it is stiffer, tends to shatter when it breaks. I've broken plenty of steel components and steel frames as well as plenty of aluminum parts and frames. Steel goes "ping" and is broken (think broken spoke). Aluminum tears and groans but has never shattered in my experience. Nor is the failure catastrophic.

A steel bicycle frame is only 'softer' than an aluminum one because the tubes are of a smaller diameter. And even here the website is way off base. Yes, you have to use more aluminum have the same rigidity for the same tube diameter as steel. But aluminum frames don't use the same tube diameter as steel frames. They use a larger diameter so that they can use less aluminum and still achieve the same stiffness. A bicycle manufacture could do the same with steel but the bike would be almost unrideable. It would have no give whatsoever due to the stiffness of the steel.

Finally, as to longevity, we just had an airshow here in Denver with all kinds of planes from WWII. Those airframes are 70 years old. They aren't made of steel because steel is too heavy for aircraft. They were made of aluminum and they are, and have been, under far greater stresses then we can put on a bike. Heck you can still find Monarch Silver Kings from the 1930s. A modern aluminum bike will last long enough.
__________________
Stuart Black
Plan Epsilon Around Lake Michigan in the era of Covid
Old School…When It Wasn’t Ancient bikepacking
Gold Fever Three days of dirt in Colorado
Pokin' around the Poconos A cold ride around Lake Erie
Dinosaurs in Colorado A mountain bike guide to the Purgatory Canyon dinosaur trackway
Solo Without Pie. The search for pie in the Midwest.
Picking the Scablands. Washington and Oregon, 2005. Pie and spiders on the Columbia River!



cyccommute is offline  
Old 08-19-13, 03:09 PM
  #8  
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Providence, RI
Posts: 21

Bikes: Marin San Rafael

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
One size fits all? How convenient.
blastro is offline  
Old 08-19-13, 03:11 PM
  #9  
It's MY mountain
 
DiabloScott's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Mt.Diablo
Posts: 9,991

Bikes: Klein, Merckx, Trek

Mentioned: 70 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4311 Post(s)
Liked 2,953 Times in 1,601 Posts
Originally Posted by cyccommute
Don't believe everything you read on the internet. Your link is laughable and aptly named. "Oversimplified", indeed.

Yeah, Mission Bicycle is a hipster company with one product.

As far as a commuter bike, steel might be a marginally better choice just because it's less likely to dent when you accidentally hit the top tube with your U-lock, or knock it over at the rack.
DiabloScott is offline  
Old 08-19-13, 04:51 PM
  #10  
Senior Member
 
jdswitters's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Fort Collins CO
Posts: 848

Bikes: Swobo Fillmore, Kona Ute, Salsa Timberjack, Salsa Fargo, New belgium brewery cruisers-2014 and 2009 and 2007

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 12 Post(s)
Liked 19 Times in 9 Posts
I would really have to know what kind of rims and front brake are on that before I would pony up 550 sight unseen.

I have over two thousand miles on a torker graduate, and have some very strong ideas about how a city steel bike should be set up.

The color is fine.
jdswitters is offline  
Old 08-19-13, 05:11 PM
  #11  
Senior Member
 
GTryder's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Prince Albert, SK - Canada
Posts: 300

Bikes: 1993 Trek 520 Touring, 2009 Globe SF 2, 2011 Giant Dash 3, 2011 GT Traffic 3.0, 2011 GT Traffic 5.0, 2012 GT Aggressor 3.0, 2014 Surface 604 Element

Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 15 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 6 Times in 4 Posts
News article:
https://www.freep.com/article/2013081...factory-launch
GTryder is offline  
Old 08-19-13, 05:22 PM
  #12  
DancesWithSUVs
 
dynaryder's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Griffin Cycle Bethesda,MD
Posts: 6,983
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times in 2 Posts
$550 for a US made bike sounds pretty good. Really the only negative is the one size. I use our bikeshare quite a bit,and one size does not really fit all.
__________________

C'dale BBU('05 and '09)/Super Six/Hooligan8and 3,Kona Dew Deluxe,Novara Buzz/Safari,Surly Big Dummy,Marin Pt Reyes,Giant Defy 1,Schwinn DBX SuperSport,Dahon Speed Pro TT,Brompton S6L/S2E-X
dynaryder is offline  
Old 08-19-13, 05:30 PM
  #13  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Yokohama, Japan
Posts: 112
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
I like it. Good, and glad to see another company making bikes in The States. I'll have to price out a Worksman with the same specs and see which I like better to fill the "low speed, around town, short-hop, semi-cruiser" niche.
Simpletommy is offline  
Old 08-19-13, 05:44 PM
  #14  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Berkley, Michigan USA
Posts: 81

Bikes: 1972 Gitane Gransport, 1985 Gitane Performance

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 9 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
I think.....some time I do......that I read somewhere that the "one size fits all" does not apply to those shorter then 5'5". Went to a local bike shop and they said it would be 3 weeks yet before they though they would have one in stock to look at.
Len S is offline  
Old 08-19-13, 05:47 PM
  #15  
Banned
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: England / CPH
Posts: 8,543

Bikes: 2010 Cube Acid / 2013 Mango FGSS

Mentioned: 42 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1053 Post(s)
Liked 41 Times in 36 Posts
Originally Posted by spivonious
You could spend the same and get a Trek Allant, which has 21 speeds instead of 3 and has hand brakes instead of coasters. Also, won't this steel frame rust in the rain? I wonder why they chose that over aluminum.
Spending the money there keeps more of it in Detroit, assuming they really do cut, weld, prime and paint the frame in house, which would be quite cool for a local who needs a repair.

Or you can buy a Trek with more speeds from Taiwan.
acidfast7 is offline  
Old 08-19-13, 05:51 PM
  #16  
Senior Member
 
wphamilton's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Alpharetta, GA
Posts: 15,280

Bikes: Nashbar Road

Mentioned: 71 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2934 Post(s)
Liked 341 Times in 228 Posts
Do the same thing with road bike geometry, put Sora 8-speed on it and decent brakes and then I'd be tempted for the price.
wphamilton is offline  
Old 08-19-13, 06:09 PM
  #17  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Yokohama, Japan
Posts: 112
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
I can't price a Worksman with the same stuff for an equal price, but the Worksman Standard Cruiser is a much heavier duty bike. Thier "Dutchie" bike is more in line with this bike and roughly equal part for equal part, the Worksman comes out about $75 more than the Detroit.
Simpletommy is offline  
Old 08-19-13, 06:24 PM
  #18  
Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 25
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
I bought one. I should be getting it possibly this week.
rmwill is offline  
Old 08-19-13, 06:25 PM
  #19  
Banned
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: England / CPH
Posts: 8,543

Bikes: 2010 Cube Acid / 2013 Mango FGSS

Mentioned: 42 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1053 Post(s)
Liked 41 Times in 36 Posts
Originally Posted by rmwill
I bought one. I should be getting it possibly this week.
review with photos.
acidfast7 is offline  
Old 08-19-13, 06:29 PM
  #20  
Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 25
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Will do. I rode one at the launch party on Friday and put down a $250 deposit. First Nexus bike I have ridden. The ratios were much better spaced than my 1956 Schwinn Corvette.
rmwill is offline  
Old 08-19-13, 06:42 PM
  #21  
Senior Member
 
Loose Chain's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: USA
Posts: 2,067

Bikes: 84 Pinarello Trevisio, 86 Guerciotti SLX, 96 Specialized Stumpjumper, 2010 Surly Cross Check, 88 Centurion Prestige, 73 Raleigh Sports, GT Force, Bridgestone MB4

Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 278 Post(s)
Liked 71 Times in 56 Posts
Why cannot a company make a modern three speed, Reynolds steel (or similar) true diamond free (level top bar) "English Racer" type bike complete with the white dipped fenders? I would love to have a modern, as in new, Raleigh or Rudge Path Racer.

I am an A&P mechanic, I am alos an engineer. Between steel and aluminum, chromo steel wins every time. Before airplane were made of aluminum, they were made of steel tubing and fabric (and still are) and while aluminum is a marvelous material (God's gift to aviation) it is not better than steel in many applications. Before airplanes were made of steel and fabric, they were made of wood and fabric (wood, God's gift to mariners).

All three are wonderful, I would rather have stainless steel or titanium but for $550, good, chromo steel (4130) is just fine and will last nearly forever.

LC
Loose Chain is offline  
Old 08-20-13, 11:10 AM
  #22  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 2,296
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 49 Post(s)
Liked 11 Times in 7 Posts
I wonder if this is one of Mechanicalron's creations. Doesn't he work at the Detroit Wheelhouse (or used to)?
jeffpoulin is offline  
Old 08-20-13, 11:15 AM
  #23  
working on my sandal tan
 
ThermionicScott's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: CID
Posts: 22,625

Bikes: 1991 Bianchi Eros, 1964 Armstrong, 1988 Diamondback Ascent, 1988 Bianchi Premio, 1987 Bianchi Sport SX, 1980s Raleigh mixte (hers), All-City Space Horse (hers)

Mentioned: 98 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3868 Post(s)
Liked 2,560 Times in 1,574 Posts
Originally Posted by Len S
I think.....some time I do......that I read somewhere that the "one size fits all" does not apply to those shorter then 5'5". Went to a local bike shop and they said it would be 3 weeks yet before they though they would have one in stock to look at.
It's apparent to all but people who work in marketing (and accounting) that one size cannot possibly fit all.
__________________
Originally Posted by chandltp
There's no such thing as too far.. just lack of time
Originally Posted by noglider
People in this forum are not typical.
RUSA #7498
ThermionicScott is offline  
Old 08-20-13, 11:24 AM
  #24  
Mad bike riding scientist
 
cyccommute's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Denver, CO
Posts: 27,274

Bikes: Some silver ones, a red one, a black and orange one, and a few titanium ones

Mentioned: 150 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6147 Post(s)
Liked 4,092 Times in 2,325 Posts
Originally Posted by ThermionicScott
It's apparent to all but people who work in marketing (and accounting) that one size cannot possibly fit all.
5'5" kinda cuts out about half of the US population. Great marketing
__________________
Stuart Black
Plan Epsilon Around Lake Michigan in the era of Covid
Old School…When It Wasn’t Ancient bikepacking
Gold Fever Three days of dirt in Colorado
Pokin' around the Poconos A cold ride around Lake Erie
Dinosaurs in Colorado A mountain bike guide to the Purgatory Canyon dinosaur trackway
Solo Without Pie. The search for pie in the Midwest.
Picking the Scablands. Washington and Oregon, 2005. Pie and spiders on the Columbia River!



cyccommute is offline  
Old 08-28-13, 07:21 PM
  #25  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Berkley, Michigan USA
Posts: 81

Bikes: 1972 Gitane Gransport, 1985 Gitane Performance

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 9 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
As I said I am not sure of the 5'5" figure. Indeed I have not found it again. It does stick in my mind though. On other hand, 80-90% of males are taller then 5'4"/5'5". Half of women are indeed left out because they are shorter then 5'5". But then it is estimated that 1/3rd of bike commuters are female and 2/3rds are male. Maybe for a start up company their 80% of market target really is not as bad as it first appears. I would think that if their product got "hot" then they could invest in a second line.

Found it.... on Detroitbikes.com/the-bike:

"The one-size-fits-almost-all lightweight chromoly steel frame of our A-Type makes it a perfect sharing bike. They’re light and strong. If you’re between 5’5″ and 6’2″, this bike will fit you"

Last edited by Len S; 08-28-13 at 07:31 PM.
Len S is offline  

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.