Yeah, even though its December and there is snow on the ground, I went to a bike shop and test rode a Breezer Uptown this weekend. I rode the woman's version, medium size.

Here are my thoughts:

The good-
By far, the easiest and smoothest shifting system I've tried. Quick, quiet, reliable. No load or full load up a hill shifting.

Quality bike--everything appeared well made and components were good quality.

Lighting system is top of the line.

Seat is very comfortable.

Very responsive bike--quick off the line.

The bad-
Strange feel. I'm used to a steel bike with bigger tires. I never knew how different the feel would be!

Not sure if tires were properly inflated or if the seat was too soft--but it felt soft.

Once up to speed, it felt slow. No speedometer, so I can't verify. It just felt slow. This might be because it had a cushy ride.

In the top gear, #8 on this model, I pedaled too easily. I was going downwind when I had this problem, but I felt that it pedaled too easily in all the gears. I understand this can be adjusted, so they all pedal a little harder, with the same range. I would need to do that.

If you spin the front wheel (note there is a dyno hub generator on the hub), there is drag on it. It does not spin freely and comes to a stop fairly quickly. This happens with the lights on or off--I don't get that.

There is a drag on the rear wheel, too. It doesn't spin freely either. Note--I didn't feel the drag while peddling.


Overall, I'm very impressed with the comfort and the shifting. I checked the range with my existing bike--I don't use the granny gear so I took that out--one pedal rotation at low and then at high had a measured distance range of 290% (314" in high, 109" in low). This bike has a range of 306 or so--the bike I'd likely get (Villager) has a range of 240%. This would mean a small reduction--a worthwhile trade for the much superior shifting system.

The Villager is the bike for me, since I don't ride in the dark too often. I have to say that I love these bikes and really hope they sell--I think many more would ride bikes if they had them.

That said, I'm not positive I'll buy one. Is it fast enough? Can I get ever over the freakishly small fat wheels? I really wish I rode the Villager men's style. They didn't have one.

I don't know what to do!