1. Yup
2.Somewhat. Most people around here ride really cheap 'disposable' bikes (college campus) though there are indeed a lot of the bikes you mention around town/campus, especially Townies...
3. No. I expect the market to continue to grow. Perhaps I am overly optimistic, but I also hope that the explosion in 'commuter' bike sells like the ones you review will be matched by an equal amount of new "born again" cyclists.
Originally Posted by
toddvc
I recently posted a page with pictures, descriptions and approximate retail prices of 2008-model commuting bikes
here. It might help somebody who's wondering what to buy get an idea of the big picture of what's out there.
It is truly amazing how many of these type of bikes are widely available in the U.S. now, as opposed to 5-6 years ago.
Just curious:
- Is your local bike shop stocking these types of models (fairly upright riding position/fenders/racks lights)?
- Do you see people riding them?
- It appears the commuter-bike market is growing -- do you expect an implosion?