A little preview of the Raleigh Clubman that we recently took in for review. In this 6 minute clip we go through the basics of unboxing a bicycle.

The bicycle shop I manage, Cool Breeze Cyclery, and sister store, Trek Bikes of Charlotte, have brought in a fleet of the new electric assist bikes, Trek Ride+.  One of these, the FX+ is a demo bike that our co-owner with an engineering background took for this past weekend.  Below is his original experience.  We will be trying out this bike ourselves, as well as possibly building up our own with the Bionx or E-Bike Kit.

Trek FX+

The new Trek E Ride bikes arrived last week so I took the demo bike home for the weekend. This FX+ model is very normal looking at first glance with all the great Trek features built into the 7.5FX, including the carbon front fork. Taking a closer look, you’ll find a high torque pancake electric motor laced into the rear wheel, a battery pack slid into the rear rack and a controller / dash board mounted like a cycling computer to the handle bar. The concept is very much like the hybrid electric cars, difference being that the rider still provides the base engine, meaning that you still must pedal this bike. Just like the hybrid cars, the electric motor provides a power boost. In the case of the E Ride bike, you can choose to boost your pedaling power by 10, 20, 30 or 40%. The bike senses your pedaling effort just like the crank mounted high end power meters, but does it with sensors built into the rear axle. Again, just like the hybrid cars, the bike employs regenerative braking going downhill to recharge the batteries.

How did it ride?

I live in a really hilly neighborhood so I let my wife ride the bike while I road my high end road bike. Her personal bike is the same 7.5 FX used as a platform for the e-Ride bike and she always walks it up the first hill which is about an 8% grade. Knowing this we set the boost to 40% and she road up this same hill with very little effort and a huge smile…the result of a feeling of accomplishment for having finally conquered that hill. After waiting for me at the top of the hill….Ummm…not sure I’m liking this feeling….we continued for the next hour to attack every hill in the neighborhood. After an hour we had used about 15% of the battery charge. To put the bike away, I rode it up my drive way which is a 10% grade and again the feeling of the power boost is simply amazing…it is smooth and predictable and simply flattens the hills for the rider. Bottom line… this bike absolutely leveled the climbing ability between us and in the case of our neighborhood made the family ride even a possibility. Now we’re thinking about a Blue Ridge Parkway ride… By the way, the bike can also be set add up to 40% to your pedaling effort for the same feeling and effect of riding a bike in a trainer, but that’s another story.

- Steve Doolittle, Co-owner of Cool Breeze Cyclery and Trek Bikes of Charlotte.

Many people wonder why racing cyclists train on ludicrously expensive bikes and wheels. Theoretically, a racing cyclist must work harder riding a heavy clunker, getting more benefit from this harder workout. The secret lies in the psychology of motivation: it’s simple stupid fun to go fast and to push yourself to new personal bests. I’m much more likely to spend four hours in the saddle if the bike feels like a racing machine.

Many utility bikes get the job done getting you from point A to B, but the fun of the ride is perhaps less visceral and more subtly sublime. I’ve reviewed a couple of bikes here where I recommend no more than a couple of miles of riding at a time because the ride feels more like work than fun. It’s one reason we generally recommend against buying a bike from the discount retail mart — rickety bikes don’t feel fun to ride.

When I received a bike from Urbana Bikes the other week, I looked at the heavy U frame, 8 speed hub, fenders, rack, balloon tires and 40 pound weight and thought, “Utility bike. Very practical and serious, but not a fun bike.”

Boy, was I wrong. In my First Look at this bike, I kind of mocked the “laterally stiff” frame, but it’s true — this bike feels efficient. My pedaling motion translates to wheel motion without a wobbly, rattling frame to suck my energy away. And pedaling efficiency translates into hilarious fun.

How fun is the Urbana? I unboxed this bike, assembled it, and took it for a quick check ride. That quick check ride turned into a two hour trip down to Santa Cruz. This is so vaingloriously cliche I almost hate to mention it, but I cycled alongside a skinny, kitted out road cyclist with muscular thighs, admired her Cervelo RS while answering her questions about the Urbana before I passed her on an uphill grade and left her in the dust. With my 40 pound bike. (Disclosure: A full peloton of road cyclists later passed me on that same hill like I was standing still. Ah well.)

Combining the low rolling resistance tires with the stiff frame and responsive steering results in an exhilarating road ride in the Santa Cruz mountains. The bike is too heavy to be a true hill climber, but after I discovered the ultra wide tires won’t fit in Santa Cruz bus bike racks, I had to ride five miles uphill from sea level to an elevation of over 500 feet. My 30 minute trip didn’t approach any personal records, but this bike’s efficiency and stiffness really impressed me.

The serious, practical side of Urbana Bikes is evident with the multiple gearing options (singlespeed, 3 or 8 speed hub, or derailleur gearing), an amazing rack with a zillion mounting options (I’ll talk about this later), big fenders, a kickstand option, and a sturdy frame and wheels for handling the worst that declining street budgets can throw at you. This sturdiness, incidentally, transforms into fun on the mountain bike trail as well . In this below video, I’m going so slowly because I had the wrong tires for the trail conditions (slick tires on damp trail). I don’t recommend hard core gravity riding on this bike, and the high rise handlebars means enough leverage to move the handlebars on higher jumps (yes, I have empirical evidence for that ), but I’m confident the handling is sufficient for cross country trail fun.

Urbana designed a bike to combine the practicality of Amsterdam city bikes with the fun of mountain trail riding. I think they succeed with this design that can move you from city and suburban streets to the back roads and mountain trails for weekend fun.

Jerome Roy of Montreal, Quebec is a committed year round bike commuter. “I know what makes a bike work at 20 below after an evening at five,” he says. He’s carried drill presses and children on his bikes. “I think a bike can often replace a car.”

Roy has designed bikes for fun: bikes with reinforced frames and big suspension to launch through the forested trails of Vanocouver’s North Shore.

This vision of a bike as both utilitarian and fun inspired Roy and Paul Harris to create Urbana Bikes, “the real sport utility vélo!”

Urbana sells complete bikes designed around a rugged, one size fits most aluminum U frame, with a very long seat and “offset seat tube” accommodating riders from 5′ to 6′6″ tall. The high rise handlebar on a BMX stem also allows for a wide adjustment range. The slack frame angles and big 26×2.6″ Nid De Poule balloon tires results in a compliant ride. Unlike most step through bikes, however, the reinforced frame has a torsionally stiff frame for efficient sprinting through traffic.

In case you missed it, I just wrote this commuter bike is laterally stiff yet vertically compliant.

Urbana Bikes are available with several build options. Standard are the plush saddle, high rise handlebar, and custom balloon tires designed specifically for this bike. Gearing options are singlespeed, 3 speed internal gear hub (IGH), 7 speed derailleur, or 8 speed IGH. SKS fenders and extra sturdy RNR rack (120 pound capacity!) are available add ons for this bike. Perhaps most interestingly, Urbana makes this bike available in 12 different colors.

Urbana is currently available only at shops in Canada, but they are planning to expand in the United States.

I received a full on commuter bike build with Shimano Nexus 8 speed hub, Shimano Nexave rear roller brake, Avid front disc brake, fenders and rack in a 40 pound, bright pink package. I’ll put this bike through its paces and report here in the coming weeks, but I’m happy to report right away that Urbana did an excellent job combining utility with fun in this bike.

More at Urbana Bikes.

Currently the Long Haul is sitting as pictured above.  I installed the Schwalbe tires by chance, not thinking they would fit, but they did!  The tires I think have taken the bike a completely different path than originally I thought it would go.  The bikes looks have changed.

Yesterday, I worked on installing the Velo Orange 60mm 26″ fenders.  I need a new L-Bracket to install the front fender but I did a quick mock up photo, as you see above.

The handlebars installed right now are Nitto North Road handlebars, attached to a Misfit Psycles stem. I’ve been really impressed with the change of ride quality between the fat, balloon type, tires and the swept back handlebars.   There are still several handlebars to work through before I can give you an honest opinion on which handlebar I prefer, but I like the swept back and comfortable feel as it is.

What do you think so far?

Going into the year of 2009 there was high hopes for the alternative solution to automobile use.  The 2008 Interbike was full of transportation bikes, electric bikes and all levels of accessories to get people to use their bike daily.  Once the gas prices settled back down most people also stopped using their bikes, and went back to their old bad habits.

2009 Top Commuter Bicycles

Ones that inspired, motivated and gave people the chance to go by bike.

Swobo Otis

This bike has a front disc brake, internally geared 3-speed with coaster brake, aluminum frame and a great color for locking up in the city. It also comes in a step through model for those ladies or folks with bad hips.

Trek District

Belt drive with orange wheels. You’ll either love it or hate it and with the $1099 price tag, you’ll better love it! We brought in a few of these at the Trek Store of Charlotte and they sell well.  Now that Trek has released a whole District series it is easier to find one to suit most people.

Kona Ute

Cargo hauling bikes is the newest thing sweeping the market.  The first was the Xtracycle, and then others followed.  The Ute has a great price tag but is limiting on the accessories, unlike the Big Dummy or Xtracycle style.

Pashley Princess Classic

Inspiring a long list of women to get on their bike in high heels and pretty dresses.  With features like fender skirts, full chainguard and the beauty of lugged steel, there is no wonder why women want this bike and are inspired to ride.

Raleigh Detour Deluxe

A large manufacture making a true commuter bike. Built in dynamo, internally geared hub, disc brakes and aluminum frame, all making this bike worthy of the hardest commute.

Fast Boy Cycles

Ezra has an amazing story and builds amazing bikes.  Based out of NY and a craftsman of the trade leaves these bikes with amazing lines, details and everything thought out.  Pictured is his wife’s light hauler.

When the Batavus BUB rolled into my bike shop a good amount of thoughts rolled into my head with it.  It looked heavy, was it? Where were the hand brakes or gears?  Could I take it down my 4.5 mile daily commute with a decent size hill in the middle?  (My worry was going up and down on it.)

Riding the BUB

I quickly checked the BUB over and rode it home that 4.5 mile commute.  The step through design was very handy and made me crave for one in my daily ride.  Very easy to get on, plus I didn’t worry about ripping my jeans as I didn’t have to throw my leg over the back of the saddle.  The handlebars and saddle seemed to me much like what we consider in the US as a Beach Cruiser.  For the entire first ride I was fighting with finding a position I felt efficient, yet comfortable in.  If I was comfortable on the saddle, it would start to rub my inner thighs.  If I was comfortable with the handlebars I was in a weird laid over position grabbing half way down the long swept back bar.

It took me a week to really grasp the ride of the BUB.  It truly is a bike for folks that maybe don’t ride everyday, or are looking for something on the end of the spectrum from their mountain/road bike.  You can easily hop on this and go, you won’t be going very far or very fast but it is easy and comfortable.

As I mentioned, initially I couldn’t get comfortable on this bike.  Mainly due to the length of my long legs and once I was home I raised the stem a good amount in order to sit more upright than leaned over.  In the end it fit a wide height range, for my 5′10 height down to my 5′5 girlfriend just as well.

The Prototype BUB & What I Would Change

The bike that I was reviewing was a prototype of sorts, it didn’t have the 3 speeds that the standard BUB will.  Gears would of helped keep me in a comfortable seated position on the small climb I have coming from my work.  I also wish it had some sort of rear or front hand brake to assist with the coaster brake, but that was also mainly me as I’m not used to riding a coaster brake bike.

All the options were installed on the test BUB.  Front and rear racks, as well as front and rear lights.  The racks had an interesting mounting design, it is non-standard and you’ll have to rig up your favorite rack to work on this bike if you wish.  The racks felt very strong and stable, a small child could sit on the front, but would completely wreck the steering of the bike.  The tubing on the rack is oversize, to the point a standard pannier clip system (of all types) doesn’t fit without bending or modifying.  Out of all my panniers in my collect only the Basil bags that you drape over one side of the rack to the other worked.

The lights weren’t anything too special.  Yes, a little different in looks but if you already have lights from another bike, save them and reuse them on the BUB.

Small Details

This bike turned heads, and caught many eyes.

The unique paper clip design made people ask questions and want to ride it.  The only other bike I own that causes such questions is my Xtracycle.

BUBmood

The “mood meter” seemed like a joke to me.  This little dial under the top tube that you are supposed to move dependent on your mood.

New pedals are needed unless you are rolling this bike in only fair weather.  There is no grip on them and several times when wet I slipped off the pedals.

Full Chainguard, good fenders, strong wheels, and reflective Schwalbe tires. The small details that many “commuter” bikes are left off with weren’t forgotten here.  I just fear they over thought the design aspect of the bike, leaving it very limited to accessories.

This product was given to me at no charge for reviewing.  I was not paid or bribed to give this review and it will have my honest opinion or thoughts through out

As we are about halfway through our perfect commuter bike build, I wanted to stop and think out the rest of the bike build before we continue.  The Long Haul Trucker with 26″ tires is completely build, and sitting next to my Christmas tree.  I’ve swapped out the painful WTB SST seat that comes with it (my girly parts aren’t too happy on it) and installed cheap platform pedals to take it for a test ride or two.

While test riding I made a decision, which I have hinted at during our previous discussions on shifter types.  I’m not sure I want drop handlebars on this bike.  This is going to be a light touring, and basic commuter bike.  I don’t plan on going mach 5 downhill or riding in the drops on this bike.  This leads me to my next question.

Which handlebars would you recommend?

About a month ago EcoVelo posted article about different types of handlebars.  It made me think more and more about the daily setup of my bikes.  I can’t say in all my years of riding I’ve found that “perfect handlebar.”  Even on the mountain bike I fight with myself between the standard straight bar, or the alternative style with a wide sweep back.

Here are some of my criteria : Upright, use of bar end shifters, a couple different hand positions (not just one grip style.)

I believe the moustache bar maybe the answer, but then I look at the Sparrow Bar from Soma and like that as well.  Now its your turn, what are your thoughts?

Our group build is about half way through it’s original phases.  After many discussions about bicycle type, exact frame set, the type of shifting and finally the component type. We’ve determined the Long Haul Trucker with a stock build is the bike we are going with.

On to my favorite phase of this build, the lights!  I have a slight obsession with bike lights, mainly due to night riding is my favorite thrill of cycling.  Currently my personal favorite are Light & Motion up front and Cateye or Planet Bike in the back.  I’m also a mountain biker so really enjoy a multi-purpose light but also have been using the Vega 200 from Light & Motion a lot lately.

I’m listing various light brands, please add brands but keep comments below so not to clog up things too much.  I’m open to making this two post of “to see” and “be seen” types of lights.

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CommuteByBike was fortunate enough to be one of the first bike testers for the prototype Batavus BUB.  The bike we had in for review was a one speed with a coaster brake.  Slowly I’ll be unveiling my own thoughts, along with a friend who is a pretty new cyclist/commuter.  Let’s start with an introduction from a shop called Renaissance Bikes that was our contact for the BUB.

Some of the details:

• Available early Spring of 2010.
• It will cost $550.
• 3-speed drivetrain with a coaster brake.
• Classic frame or Step-Through frame (”sizes” are somewhat irrelevant because of adjustability.)
• The color choices are: Gloss or matte black, battleship grey, raw silver, red (matte), white with white tires.
• Front racks, rear racks, and battery powered lights are options.