Originally Posted by
zowie
If you want to mass-produce a bike, you have to aim it at a substantial market. The longer, hillier, worse paved, and special-clothes-needed a commute becomes, the fewer people that will be willing to do it, so the assumption is reasonable.
OK, I'll tell you one reason these wonderful machines for short pleasant rides in your work clothes are not popular and can't be popular: the price. People don't want to spend that much money on a bike to begin with, and even if they're willing to shell out the dough, they're not willing to take the risk of having their perfect commuting machine stolen. Hence, at the moment, craigslist serves the market far better at the moment than any so-called commuter bike.
There is a reason why virtually no one rides such bikes for transportations in Toronto. However, the old 10-speeds, older MTBs, and department store bike-shaped objects rule.
Originally Posted by iltb-2
Baloney, you had no problem identifying who are the Non "experienced" cyclists that I was discussing. The commuting cyclists that do not fit the profile of the BF brand "Experienced Cyclist" commuter are unlikely to be doing any shopping at the typical LBS found in the US. Their kind, seeking basic inexpensive rides, over typical commuting/utility distances have been unwelcome at such establishments for decades. When was the last English or American brand inexpensive one or 3 speed prominently displayed or marketed at an American LBS' - the late 70's?
Sorry - your words have zero connection with the passage it's supposed to be a reply to. Anyway, I doubt I (or anyone else on this board) will hear anything from you that I haven't already. Good thing this forum has an Ignore list. Good night.