Originally Posted by
old and new
Raleigh has the Circa 2.0; a true step through, 8 sp. internal hub and a good one, I test road the men's equilvalent upon the insistance of my LBS as he wanted my oppinion, I liked it and I'm not big on comfort bikes. It's not an aggressive design as the one bike of our fellow member's I'd pointed to. a relaxed profile is what your wife ought to want. I figure it weighs about 30 to 32 lbs. Steel cruisers weigh 40 or so and AL. ones weigh 36 or so. She'll have to heft it or you'll have to obtain the exact wt. to be sure. Sub 30lb. bikes aren't associated with internal hub, relaxed fit bikes.
For 2010 the Circa 2.0 has become the Circa i8. The Circas are amazing bikes. They are just so comfortable! Not speedy bikes really, but the ride is wonderful. They are pretty light for what they are, too. They have Raleigh's version of "pedal-forward", which is about half of Electras. So, you can still stand flat-footed while on the saddle, but you can also climb hills (which you can't really do on the Townie). Of course, I sell Raleighs, so keep that in mind. lol.
The Breezers are pretty nice, too. I think they may be a little lighter. The Uptown8 has an 8 speed internal hub, a ring lock on the rear wheel, a full chain case, and a dynamo hub with B&M LED lights front and rear. A lot more expensive than the Raleigh, obviously. (I don't sell Breezer/Fuji).