So the LBS that sells Breezer got the small men's Uptown 8 he'd received built up, so I went in for a test ride. While the bike rode well, and I believe it fit pretty well, I'm not very happy with it over all because it's the classic model with a suspension fork rather than the new model (with full chaincase, LED lighting, Schwalbe tires, etc) with a regular fork.

Oddly, I was in the store less than a week ago and he showed me the unopened box, saying he'd build it up right away so I could give it a test ride. At that time I asked if it was the new model with the fully enclosed chaincase, and he said he had no idea (?!). At that time I'd made it clear I was looking for the newer model. I was a bit surprised he had no idea, and I said it was a bit confusing on Breezer's site that they have two models, one being marked "new" but the older one still there and the page being dated a year ago and all. He agreed.

So, I explained that I didn't want the suspension fork. He offered to switch it out at no charge to me, and to even take "a little off" the price to cover the difference. Evidently the Uptown w/suspension fork lists for 1199, with rigid fork lists for $950, and he'd do $999. Doesn't quite seem right to me, since I'm paying a premium to get the regular fork, but it's his shop and he can price as he chooses. I said I'd let him know. He didn't offer to order the specific bike I wanted, and I didn't think to ask until long after I'd left.

There were other problems: The rack was clearly bent so it was off-center (1+") on the bike. Not terribly tragic, but if it arrived bent, and can be bent back straight, how much of a load will it take for it to be bent again? The wiring for the lighting was hanging out here and there, not very tidy. I could fix that with a bunch of wire ties, but I'd prefer not to on a $1k bike.

I enjoyed riding the bike. I'm shorter, and the 26" wheels feel more nimble to me, and it felt good to ride it. I just feel uncomfortable dealing with a company that seems, well, a bit unpredictable.

The thing is, there's not a lot of alternatives. Even just finding a 26" wheel bike with the premium (or any) nexus hub is a challenge, let alone one with the dynamo hub & other extras. I can figure out my own rack and fenders out, but I want the generator hub and lighting because adding the hub later seems (from asking a few LBS) to be an expensive proposition.

Any ideas? Can I put an eccentric BB on an LHT frame?

I looked at the Specialized GlobeCity, which has about the same spec as the Breezer except it has 700C wheels instead of 26", and I'd prefer the smaller wheels. It is $910 list, at a different LBS and they offered to come down a little even though it was a special order. However, the guy suggested that I get a Globe Elite ($800) and add my own accessories because he felt that the supplied accessories tended to be lower quality. He didn't press the issue though. The thing that makes me queasy about the GC is that the Specialized catalog doesn't make any mention of a generator hub, only that it has lights. I really, really don't want to have the thing show up with a bottle generator. It also has the non-premium hub.

I figure I'll call Breezer and see if it's possible to get the new version specifically and get the MSRP, and maybe see who else I could order it through.