Originally Posted by
ShartRate
Stealing a Flying Pigeon? Now that's low.
So maybe you can answer this for me - I'm going to get a bicycle next time I'm in China (I'm hoping to get the MIL to pay for it so $$$ may not be a huge deal). I'm trying to decide whether I'd want a modern Giant hybrid/offroady sort of bike for running around town buying beer and snacks, or if I want to go full China dork and try out a Flying Pigeon. I guess I'd have to say from reading your thread that I'd be better off getting something reliable...
Depends where you're living. In a city that's flat as a pancake like Shanghai is, a Pigeon would be a fine runabout, since you wouldn't have to worry about hills. But if it's a hilly place like Chongqing, then you'd definitely want some gears. As for me, even though I live in Shanghai, I've gone the Giant hybrid route, as I don't like to go as slow as I'd have to on a Pigeon. If I had room for a second bike (which I don't
) I'd probably pick up a Pigeon or a Forever as a cruiser, as they're definitely a big part of the Chinese city landscape.