Originally Posted by
Seattle Forrest
I think they're pretty expensive. But take that with a grain of salt: I don't understand why anybody would buy a three speed bike. I know it'll work in a flat place with a little bit of wind ... but it seems like a more general purpose bike would be able to do all of the same things, and a lot more, for a pretty similar price.
IMHO the 3 speed is the epitome of general use. Simple, easy to maintain, dependable, fenders. chainguard. Very few areas are so hilly that more is needed.
as for cost... A $200 bike from 1982 would cost close to $500 today....so the price point seems consistent with a reasonable level of quality. It is just that for some reason people expect bikes to be cheap not reflect inflation.