CriticalThought

Someone in San Francisco uses the hell out of this and I'm not sure what it is.

I think it's a Phoenix. I see it fairly often and I'll try to get better pictures (sorry, these are atrocious and taken through an office window) downtown.

This looks to me like an older Chinese Phoenix, at least the frame does, but the decals aren't what I remember, and a lot of the components are modern. I rented a Phoenix when I was in Beijing pre-Olympics, around 2000 and it was pretty close to a copy of a Raleigh DL-1 (rod brakes, etc.).

Also it looks like the chain guard matches the mudguards making me wonder if they are original (my instincts say no).

I'll do my best to get some better pictures next time I spot this bike, but I felt like posting about it since my curiosity got the better of me. It's always parked in the same spot (indoors) when I see it, and it's clearly locked up to boot.

The porteur front rack is a cool addition.

Anyone recognize this bike?






This looks like it may be the head-badge (and I'm pretty sure it says Phoenix on the downtube).




This was the giveaway and what made me thing at first glance that this was a Raleigh.

FBinNY 

For many years China produced bikes and parts to a single spec. The bike might be made in any number of factories, but was of the same basic design except for the nameplate which might identify which factory actually made it.

More recently (before they tooled up for the USA market), they started some slow evolutionary changes, but not much.

Why don't you put a business between the spokes, with a note that say's you see it all the time and are curious, along with your phone number or email.