The City Bike - as popularized by the Raleigh Sports. Now there's a modern market for retro vintage.

https://publicbikes.com/prodimages/800/70329_9.jpg

Just what does THIS bike remind you of? It looks oddly familiar and yet the nostalgia is a big part of it.

If it gets people to look at classic bikes, well that's good too!

At $850 retail, it 'ain't no Raleigh Sports!

Neal

Considering how much bikes cost today, for a bike with a Shimano Nexus 8 speed hub on a steel frame, that looks like a good deal.

Too bad we can't buy one for what we used to buy it a generation ago!

I like it. It looks comfortable, relatively light, and the 8-sp IGH is a big plus. The appearance is great.
The price is fair, relative to what else is out there, in my opinion, but I'll bet it sees some discounting.
It's much nicer than a Raleigh Horizon I bought in 1988 for $260, appears to have the same target market.

To me, that bike requires a fairly specific market:
1) Relatively informed/knowledgeable customers who appreciate the qualities and features.
2) Those who prefer new (warranty, service, lack of "history') at double the price of comparable used bikes.
3) Those with a budget that allows for the significant cost difference over competitors.
4) Semi-casual riders, those with physical needs for upright bikes, or commuters who want simplicity.
5) LBS customers, as it appears that a lot of explanation would be needed to outline the pro's.

Personally, I think it fits the needs of about 1/3 of the people who ask me about bikes, and I hope it sells well, generates some competion for that niche, ultimately lowering the price point. I'd love to have a bike like that, but until I can allocate that amount of money, a good used hybrid would be my preference.

If it isn't affordable, it isn't a city bike.

-Kurt

With the upright seating position that saddle should have springs or a suspension seat post. It may look comfortable but that saddle will soon be an A$$ hatchet.

Mike

I like the mixte a lot, though the rear side pull brake looks odd. Much cooler than the typical rolling billboard.

Yeah, I could just feel my 40 year old vertebrae compacting when I looked at that saddle. Ow.

And, some day, someone will explain to me the point of "trouser guards" that do NOT obviate the need to bind up or roll up the right leg of your pants. It's like the designers have either never ridden a bike while wearing regular pants or they actually consciously think "hey, let's design a bike with some practical features ... But not TOO many! I mean , if you don't have to worry about your pants getting greasy and torn, it wouldn't be an authentic experience. You might as well just be driving a car!"

Yup... looks vintage in comparison to modern bike designs.

They made a good choice with 700C as opposed to 590mm. Easy to get tires for.

As for the saddle, a Brooks B-67 is a good choice on a city bike.

Brooks are good but too expen$ive to put on a new bike. There are lots of sensible saddles out there. Changing the saddle at purchase is a good opportunity for a shop to add some profit to a bike sale. And for all we know, it looks like a crotch hatchet but isn't. Some saddles look bad and feel good (like some other things).