A couple of years ago, I published a post about my favorite five bicycles. In the wake of a discontinued design and a couple of new discoveries, I figured it was time for an update.
These bikes I love are not racing bikes, daredevil bikes, fixed-gear bikes, mountain bikes or any other specialized configuration. These are basic bicycles anyone can jump on and ride, no matter what one is wearing, enabling the rider to pleasurably, effectively and stylishly get from A to B. However, safety when riding a bicycle is just as important as the bike it itself. Accidents involving cyclists could leave the cyclist unable to work, or under financial stress due to hospital bills. If you find yourself in an accident, although many may not want to, it is worth getting in touch with someone similar to these Bike Accident attorneys in North Myrtle Beach or a law firm local to you, as they might be able to help you with your case.
These bikes appeal to me for a few reasons. The big reason is design. Most modern bicycles fall victim to an unfortunate urge to “sport up” and modernize an engineering achievement that was already perfected a century ago. And what hurts me most is when a brand abandons the iconic design that made it famous in the first place. With the possible exceptions of advances in gear shifting and braking, “breakthroughs” in bicycle design are a redundant exercise intended to feed trends in the market. And carbon fiber? No thanks. I’ll take a steel frame any day. I don’t think sporty carbon fiber bikes will look as chic and timeless in sixty years as a 1957 Raleigh Superbe Sports Tourist does now. (And I’m not convinced it would hold up as well mechanically, either.)
Beyond style, other considerations included durability, quality and general value over time. These bikes will last longer than a car if you take care of them.
While they vary in price, ranging from the reasonable to the seemingly expensive, I also considered the bang for the buck. They all come with fenders and chain guards, some come with racks, and one even comes with a dynamo headlight, which is an inexplicable rarity.
Though a couple of them, especially the Vickers Roadster, may seem prohibitively expensive, you have to remember that these are extremely versatile investments that can be used anytime and virtually under any circumstance, unlike a $7,000 racing bike that can only be used for racing (with special shoes and other special gear, which you also have to buy).
So, in the spirit of style, longevity, versatility and overall value, I present my five favorite bicycles for 2016-2017…
1. The Chief “City Edition” from Heritage Bicycles
While assembling a complete bicycle with other components made elsewhere, Heritage Bicycle frames (with crown forks) are made in Chicago with American High-Tensile steel. Not only are their bikes custom made in Chicago, but their actual shop also houses a café with pastries, baked goods and killer coffee. Every neighborhood should have this.
Out-of-the-Box Features:
- Velo-Orange plush saddle
- Alloy mustache handlebars
- Tektro Caliper Brakes
- Natural Cork grips
- Velo-Orange Smooth Fenders
- Hand-built, double-wall, alloy wheelset
- Single-speed freewheel
- Schwalbe Delta Cruiser tires with K-Guard®
- Wald rear rack
2. The Runwell from Shinola
Features:
- Lugged, TrueTemper double-butted CroMo frame
- TrueTemper CroMo, custom cast fork crown
- Shinola Alloy, 55º backsweep handlebar
- Shinola leather grips w/alloy grip clamps
- Shimano mechanical disc brakes w/160mm rotors
- Shimano Alfine 11-sp RapidFire Plus shifters
- Shimano disc front hub, Shimano Alfine 11-sp disc rear hub
- Sun CR-18, 32º, one-eyelet, P/V, polished silver rims with DT Swiss Champion, 14g, stainless spokes
- Continental Contact Reflex, 700x32C, tires w/reflective strip
- Aluminum, toe clip-compatible pedals
- Shinola leather saddle with silver rails and rivets
- Front rack, fenders, bell and Shinola chain guard
The Runwell comes in a Regatta Blue (pictured), Red or Black. $2,950. www.shinola.com
3. The Willow 3 from Brooklyn Bicycle Co.
Features:
- Chromoly steel step-through frame with a crown fork
- Rear carrier
- Sealed-Bearing Alloy 36H front hub
- Shimano NEXUS 3-Speed internally geared rear hub
- Shimano NEXUS Revo 3-Speed Shifter
- Brooklyn Cruiser Alloy City Pedals
- Brooklyn Bicycle Co. Vegan Leather Sprung Comfort Saddle with patented suspension & absorption systems
- Brooklyn Bicycle Co. Custom Upright swept back alloy handlebars & 180mm alloy stem
- Tektro Dual-Pivot Caliper with Tektro Alloy Hand Lever front and rear hand brakes
- Kenda Kwest Cream Tires
- Double-walled alloy rims with 14G stainless steel spokes
- Heavy-duty alloy center-mount kickstand, heavy gauge chainguard, full color-matched front & rear fenders, polished alloy rear carrier with integrated tie-down loops
It’s available in Cardinal Red (pictured), Columbia Blue, Tangerine, Black and Sea Glass (green). www.brooklynbicycleco.com
4. The Tourist De Luxe from Raleigh
5. The Roadster from Vickers
Features:
- Lightweight, lugged steel frame, handmade in Coventry, England
- Brush-polished, stainless-steel lugs
- High performance Tange Seiki headset & bottom bracket
- Nitto bars wrapped in Brooks leather
- Brooks saddle
- Bullet-proof Continental tires
- SRAM Automatix two-speed rear hub with automatic shift
- Integrated back pedal coaster brake
- Schmidt SON Edelux dynamo-powered front lamp
- Flat “strip” fenders and chain guard
The custom Roadster can be had for around $3,000 U.S.
Speaking of bicycles, my friend recently had a bicycle related accident and decided he needed legal representation, similar to bicycle accident attorney Houston. He, in the end, found a fantastic legal representative, he is so glad he shopped around!
www.madeintheseisles.co.uk/vickers-bicycles-roadster-bicycle
3 Comments
As an aficionado of sex on wheels, (farmer’s pick up truck was the best!) The Raleigh with enclosed chain guard could be a close second. Yes, you have great taste in bikes!
I just ordered a Driggs 3 speed from Brooklyn Bicycle Co.— thanks for mentioning the company almost as many times as you’ve mentioned your shirt size. I emailed Ryan to give you credit for the free advertising you’ve provided them. I am over the moon about the new bike (in tangerine), and it hasn’t even arrived yet.
Enjoy!! They’re great bikes.