Cowtown Cumuter

Here are some great bikes, any of which I would like to own. Trek Navigator, Norco LRT, and my favorite, Cannondale Street Vintage.

Sheik_Yerbouti

It's a shame that none have internal hub gearing.

RonH

It's also a shame that you're looking at bikes that are already built up for commuting, rather than starting with a bike that would make a great commuter and then customizing it to fit YOUR needs and wants.

cccorlew

I don't think it's a shame at all. All those bikes look way cool and I'll bet they'd be nice to ride.

gbcb

I don't think it's a shame either. A lot of people need and want a commuter with a minimum of fuss, and don't want to bother spending days and weeks putting their bike together from parts. These bikes look like solid commuter bikes built up for just that kind of person. They're not for me, but my bikes don't appeal to everyone either.

wahoonc

I don't like the aesthetics or the fit of the sloping top tube...but that is my opinion I agree that the internal hubs would be a plus. Perhaps they should offer it as an option?

Aaron

chephy

+1. I've never had a bike with a seriously sloping top tube. And of all the bikes like that I test-rode, none fit me. But that's just me, of course.

Definitely.

rando

what is the reasoning behind the sloping top tube anyway?

kill.cactus

sloping top tubes are generally in place for aesthetics, as they reduce the structural integrity of the two triangle design.

someone please correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm pretty sure that they do reduce the strength

johann

I always thought that sloping top tubes were a function of bike manufacturers wanting to make a smaller number of frame sizes, that is a particular frame size can be fitted to a wider variety of rider sizes. Probably because they make "standover" height/clearance less of an issue.

Another reason for the sloping top tube is to achieve a more compact frame geometry, and I suppose a lighter bike (?) with a shorter wheelbase and theoretically "quicker" handling.

Personally I do not find the sloping top tube aesthetically pleasing.

johann

The Cannodale Vintage ships in Europe with a Alfine internal hub (and I believe disc brakes). It uses a eccentric bottom bracket too. Very progressive.

JustBrowsing

It looks like the bike sold in the states will be closest to the Vintage Ultra. But what we really want is the Vintage 8 Ultra. Or at least it's what I want.

Cowtown Cumuter

I am not familliar with this type of gearing...how does it work?

wahoonc

That is what I hear too...higher quality bikes used to come in 2cm increments with larger skips on the upper and lower end of the scale. Now they come in 5 sizes if you are lucky 3 if you aren't and in some cases...one

Aaron

gregtheripper

Honestly, a lot of people are not interested in researching and figuring out these kinds of things. I work in a shop, and a lot of people who want to start commuting know very little about anything... bikes that are setup to accomodate commuters tend to be an easier sell. only the larger shops (space wise) can really carry them, though, since they don't seem to sell as many (most people just want the cheapest bike available).

As for compact geometry, unless it's a road bike, there really isn't a huge problem with reducing sizes... it also makes it much easier for the retail establishment, which only needs to have 4-5 models as opposed to 8. It's not like anyone is making a ton of money on these bikes still, there is not a huge markup on new bicycles.

Sheik_Yerbouti

Check this out. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hub_gear

I live in Calgary too, and don't see many around, but I do have one on my 3 speed.

donnamb 

Trek and Cannondale both make an internal hub gear version - for the European market.

tcs

The Cannondale Street Premium is available in the US market with a Shimano Red Band 8 and chaincase. The Breezer Uptown 8 and REI Novara Fusion are both American market bikes with Shimano 8 speed hubs and generator lighting.

TCS

donnamb 

That's nice to hear about the Cannondale. The main reason I bought the Breezer was because Cannondale and Trek weren't making anything like that for the US market in 2006.

vulcan

sloping top tube could be considered "step through" so people don't have to lift thier leg so high to get on.

CBBaron

Sloping top tubes also called compact frames design actually increases the stiffness on the bike frame by making a smaller frame. However the seat tube needs to be longer and stronger to compensate. The sloping top tube give greater standover height. Many people find the extra space comforting even if it is not needed. As noted you can make a smaller selection of sizes work for more people if standover is not a problem. Frames are also slightly lighter due to the smaller size. Fit of a sloping top tube CAN match a straight top tube frame so fit is not necessarily a problem. However I think many cyclists find a level top tube to look better. In addition for smaller frame sizes fitting a water bottle can be difficult with a sloping top tube but no problem with a traditional frame.
I think its great that bike manufactures are making comuting/utility bikes but I would like to see the hub geared versions available in the US. I think it is a matter of the perception of the market. Most US customers will not pay more for a bike with less gears so the derailer versions greatly outsell the hub gear versions. Which makes it uneconomical to distribute the hub geared version to the states. I guess the market is different in Europe.

Craig

Barabaika

Trek is going to make Simple City for ladies:
https://www.bikegallery.com/trek-worl...imple-city.php