Originally Posted by Dead Extra #2
No, I have not actually talked with them. I do like the bike but The price is a little rough. If I spend that much I'd rather get a Koga Miyata. This one has the the Rohloff 14 speed AND a chain guard.
I just came back from living in Italy....That Koga of more like what people actually ride...not the 'dale. Most shops hate the nexus (mostly because they don't know how to service them...not because they are bad). Bianchi make some sweet "city bikes" that are not brought here. Low end shimano drive train...but other than that really cool: Alum frame, fenders, lights, generator, chainguard, rack...and get this...all stainless steel fasteners and screws. Great for getting wet. Kinda like this one from bianchi italia's site (but add the S.STL fasterners) I think it was 400 Euros...wish I had bought it.
There was another really popular city bike brand "Legnano"...Not much info on the web though. That 'dale is cool, but it still strikes me more like a city bike made from a mountain bike....not a purpose built city bike geometry.