Radfahrer1

Greetings all! I want to purchase my first commuting bike. From all the research I've done, I'm inclined toward the Breezer--it generally has very good reviews, seems to come with everything I want at a reasonable price. Unfortunately I haven't been able to see or ride one in person yet. I have two questions: 1) What is the main difference between the Uptown and the Downtown line of models? and 2) are there much differences between the 2014 and 2015 models? I may have the opportunity to get the Uptown 8 2014 model new at a good price, so I'm inclined toward that if they didn't make major changes for the new models.
Thanks in advance!

TransitBiker

The main change is the 2015 lineup has no 5 speed. Instead there is an uptown 8, 7, EX & fleet (7 speed gear hub), then downtown 8, 3, and EX. I'm glad they went with a 3 speed, and hope it finds its way to the uptown list next season. Also happy the fleet got a 7 speed replacing the 5 it had. The other main differences are the paint schemes, the chain guard/case and things like that.

If you don't mind adding some info about how long your commute is, hills, etc i could definitely make more useful suggestions!

- Andy

Radfahrer1

Andy, Thanks so much for the reply! I live in Oxford, Ohio, which is a small (and relatively flat) college town. My commute is between home, taking my son to school, and going to my office--the distances are short (less than 10 miles altogether there and back), periodically out to the community park (another 10 miles there & back). I've been living in Germany for the past year and using the bike (an old Peugot I picked up here) for everything, so I'd like a bike loaded with the European standards (chain guard, lights, fenders, kickstand, rack).
From what I gather, there would not be major differences between the models themselves--ie between the 2014 Uptown 8 and the 2015 Uptown 8, other than paint schemes?
Also, can you explain a bit the differences between the Uptown and the Downtown?
Thanks! --Scott

ChicagoDan

The major difference between the Uptown and Downtown is the frame material. Uptown is an aluminum frame, Downtown is steel. The Downtown also doesn't have lights.

I have a 2015 Uptown 8. As far as I can tell, the major difference between model years is the fully enclosed chain on the 2015. The 2014 has a guard that goes across the top, but the bottom of the chain is exposed.

TransitBiker

The uptown ex and uptown fleet do not have lights, and i believe the uptown fleet is low step only.

As far as the differences, the other difference not mentioned by @ChicagoDan is that the downtown models are all 700c wheels vs the 26 of the uptown 8.

If you need lights, get the uptown 8, if not, the downtown 8 is fine. I personally will never go back to battery lights.

- Andy

Radfahrer1

Thanks! What made you decide on the Uptown 8, and how do you like it?

ChicagoDan

I love it. It is a nice stable ride. I went to my LBS and Performance with a list of requirements:

Easy maintenance
Fenders
Rear Rack
Upright position
Lighting
Chain Guard

The local bike store suggested a hybrid with all of the requirements added. Performance had the Uptown assembled, and it came with all of my requirements as standard features. After I test rode both bikes, the Uptown felt like the obvious choice. I didn't necessarily need the dyno lights, but like @TransitBiker I wouldn't give them up now.

Radfahrer1

Thanks! Sounds like you were looking for just what I'm looking for. (I've also been looking at the Performance site).

Radfahrer1

Thanks! One last question: of size. Unfortunately I have to order it before getting to try it out. I'm 5'11" (33" inseam). From what I gather, I'm right in between the Medium (19.5) and the large (21.5), which happened when I bought my last hybrid as well. The larger one always feels a bit too large, and the salespeople always talk me into taking the medium, though at the end of the day I always feel a bit cramped on the medium...

ChicagoDan

I am 5'10" with a 31" inseam. I don't remember whether mine is a medium or a large, but it feels just right to me. Since my bike is at the train station, I can look to see when I get back to it this evening (assuming you can wait that long to order it).

ChicagoDan

I just looked a little closer because this conversation made me curious. First, I confirmed with Performance that I have a medium frame.

That investigation also revealed I have a 2014, not a 2015. If you look at Breezer's specifications on their site, the 2014 does not have a full chain guard. The pictures on Performance's site do, and my bike does.

Looking at the decals on the top tube and the down tube, mine match the 2014 model. So I guess the total difference between the 2014 and the 2015 is the paint color, a couple of decals and a hundred or so dollars. I did get the bike I paid for, though.




2015:

2014:

Radfahrer1

Thanks for the clarification. How tall are you?

ChicagoDan

5'-10" tall with a 31" inseam.

TransitBiker

I am 6'5 with 34 inch pant length and my uptown is the x-large 23.5. It fits me perfectly. On a 19.5 inch (medium) frame, are you getting proper leg extension? If your knees come up too high, it's not good for them, and it means you are on a frame that is not big enough. I would definitely prefer my bike to be a bit tall vs too small anyday. My old cruiser was 19 inch, and i had to stand to get full extension. When i test rode the one i have now, my legs were like "weeee freedommmm!!!".

The 2014 bike archive is strange. No actual photos of the town models. I know they had an infinity, but it doesn't show one. I will inquire about that next chance i get. They may be shuffling servers or something.

- Andy

Radfahrer1

Thanks again! I ordered it today (went with the larger one). Here is where I found it (good price too).
https://www.performancebike.com/bikes...08_-1___400867
Thanks to both you and ChicagoDan for your input!
Scott

TransitBiker

Sweet! One suggestion: get softer brake pads if you can. The tektro stock pads are very hard on the rims. I just had my pads changed to softer and boy what a difference! They are "stickier" too, which means you can modulate braking force way better. I've yet to need to jam the brakes on because they modulate so effectively! Harder pads require more braking force to get slowed, which wears the rim faster & less overall control. It's all most like a different bike now!

Also, glad I could help!

- Andy

Radfahrer1

Great, thanks for the suggestion--and the help!
All the best, Scott

GovernorSilver

Another Breezer Uptown 8 (most likely a 2014 model - it's got the top tube logo) owner here. Thanks for the suggestion. I live in a hilly neighborhood and have been concerned about wearing out the brakes, because the hill is fairly steep in some places and I have to watch out for cars, pedestrians, dogs, cats, etc. wandering in front of me as I coast down. I've tried using just the front vs just the rear to modulate my speed while riding down the hill but I guess I should just use both.

How do you fellow Uptown 8 owners lock your bikes? I'm thinking of using the frame lock for the rear wheel and the U-lock for the front and frame.

TransitBiker

Mine does not have the frame lock, but I only lock it to itself with the u lock if nothing else is available. Otherwise I lock it to a sturdy fixed object. I'm definitely in the market for frame lock...

- Andy

GovernorSilver

As it turns out, my U-lock is not wide enough to go around both the frame and a wheel (front or rear), so I just use the U-lock on the frame and use the frame lock to lock up the rear wheel. The U-lock came with a mounting bracket. First I tried the top tube but because I'm a beginning cyclist (learned to ride just 3 weeks ago), I hit one of the bracket screws with my knee and thus the knee was stabbed and bleeding. I now have the U-lock mounted on the seat tube.

The shop that sold me my Uptown 8 is doing a bike maintenance class this Thursday. I'll ask them if the lights are removable. It would be be good to know if I ever need to leave my bike locked somewhere for more than a couple of hours.

Other than that, it seems to ride fine. I took it on a 23.65 mile ride yesterday.

GovernorSilver

Took my Uptown 8 (must be some weird 2014-2015 in-between model - has top tube logo like the 2014 but like the 2015 color is darker and the chain guard encloses the bottom of the chain) to the bike shop the other evening for a bike maintenance class. During the class, the mechanic adjusted the brakes and brake handle cables. It made a noticeable difference - I now have an easier time modulating my speed on descents smoothly. He also showed me the bottom panel of the chain guard that I can unscrew to be able to lube the chain - only 3 screws on that panel.

mwdilday

If not battery lights what do you use?

DiegoFrogs

Many of the Breezer city bikes come with lights driven by a dynamo hub in the front wheel. This can be a really nice feature, since you no longer have to worry about batteries.