I don't know, you can order a Euro-style crusier at almost any bike shop, choosing from European built bikes to Trek or Cannondale (both US compainies sell bikes overseas). Even REI is selling commuter bikes! You can't get the Asian built commuters from Giant or Fuji however, although that is likely to change soon.

As far as recreational bikes, 99% of non-cyclists would pick an old MTB with a gel covered seat, basket and bell over Lance's Trek. I toured in Germany on a crappy 3 speed with a sleeping bag tied to the handle bars. Had to push the beast up a couple of hills and made only about 60 km day, but the word for the day is....recreation! It was a total blast! I guess I could of ingored the whole Rine river valley and kept my eye on my computer and heart monitor and done the whole trip in 16 hours of pure hammering. What the hell was I thinking! Letting cycling performance take a back seat to my vacation. I guess I'll never be in the Tour de Fance unless I really rethink my current cycling commitments

The biggest lie you'll ever hear at the LBS or cycling club is the Myth of the Light Bike. I'm about 5'11" and weigh about 200 lbs. If wanted to be a fast bike racer (and at 40 yrs old that's really a joke) I would stop drinking beer and eating Mexican food until I was racing weight (about 165-170?). Buying a sub 20 pound bike for a $1000 isn't really make me much faster than steel framed used bike at 23-24 pounds. (that's what a good road bike weighed in the mid 80s) If I'm not worried about speed and riding for transportation or recreation, bike weight matters even less.

I really support competitive cycling, but understand that 90% riders have no wish to do it and should pick a bike that really suits their needs.