Comments on: Fisher El Ranchero longtail bicycle

By: John Paul Hudson

John Paul Hudson — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 12:52:00 +0000

I ride the shimano nexius 7 speed internal gear with a shaft drive virtually maintence free and quiet plus you can shift from 7th to 1st at the intersection when the light changed. Like 3 speeds of the past now with more gears. I think there will be more and more Electric Assist Bicycle commuters. Besides saving fuel I really enjoy the riding and have lost 30 pounds so far.

By: Stuart M.

Stuart M. — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 01:43:35 +0000

When thinking about longtails, don’t forget the Yuba Mondo!

By: Quinn

Quinn — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 17:07:05 +0000

It looks like Treks version of a Honda RidgeLine, un-necessarily large people mover with limited cargo room

By: Ghost Rider

Ghost Rider — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 16:07:10 +0000

Sconnyboy, I remember spotting that on your blog a few days back. You win the podium on that one!

Sioux, you got me — you caught the hypocrisy in my argument about the District! I guess this bike is “just another cruiser” — form over function with no real purpose other than to have fun on (and look cool doing it). There’s a place in my heart for such bikes, but usually I demand a bit more from my machines.

By: Mauricio Babilonia

Mauricio Babilonia — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 16:00:42 +0000

Not to gloat, but heh.

By: Siouxgeonz

Siouxgeonz — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 15:03:34 +0000

Ghost Rider… those are exactly my thoughts about most cruisers

However, there’s that whole consumer cool factor – “new!”

By: Christomapher

Christomapher — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 14:41:16 +0000

I’m actually pretty excited about the District!

In the sales pitch book, they call it “ninja-like quiet” ride. Apparently the belt really cuts down on noise. I always love super quiet bikes and if this one lives up to the hype in terms of reliability (carbon fiber belt drive which requires no lubrication), style and functionality (super quiet, cargo-ready, light weight) then I will definitely be interested in purchasing this as a “for fun” bike.

Sure it has a niche appeal, and obviously I can see haters already, it is pretty pricey (MSRP $849 according to the sales pitch book) but I’d still swing it, it looks like a lot of fun!

Check it out… this is actually what it looks like (not a prototype) http://www.doobybrain.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/08/trek-district.jpg

By: Ghost Rider

Ghost Rider — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 14:16:54 +0000

On second thought, perhaps the SOHO fits my needs. Lord knows that’s a popular platform — they’re selling like hotcakes! It blends form and function pretty nicely.

By: Ghost Rider

Ghost Rider — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 14:14:23 +0000

My point was mainly “do we need ANOTHER singlespeed” that caters to the trendfollowers, as this District appears to do? I mean, it’s got all the goodies: orange deep Vs, riser bars, bitchin’ paint scheme, etc. Can’t bike companies figure out how to meld hipness AND utility into one package?

Don’t get me wrong — as I said earlier, I love the way it looks and I’m sure it would be a blast to ride, but it just doesn’t do anything from a truly functional perspective. Or maybe I’m wrong: maybe the world needs more “ironic Orange Julius bikes”, to borrow a phrase from BSNYC.

By: Bobby

Bobby — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 13:59:45 +0000

Ghost Rider,

There IS a internal gear hub belt-drive, the SOHO!