US bikes - kinda nice « CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum

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US bikes - kinda nice

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Started 13 years ago by SRD
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SRD
Moderator

So, as noted on other threads, have seen a surprising number of bikes and trailers here in the detroit metro area.

Didn't get any pictures of the roadies riding along lakeshore one evening, but we were quite impressed to see three tandems.

Mentioned the bike boxes at the science centre earlier, but have also seen some great bike racks, including this one at the traffic jam (my favourite place to eat in central detroit) which coincidentally turns out to be affiliated with the Motor city brewery, which offers beer and bike tours..

For some reason all the image embeds are going to the top of the post, so will break this up a bit.

Posted 13 years ago #
SRD
Moderator

All the communities along Lake St Clair have residents-only parks with beaches, pools etc. Very nice IF you're a resident - means kids ride their bikes to the beach, as do some parents.

This Raleigh retroglide 7 with copilot seat was probably the nicest looking bike we saw - and it was there a couple of days, but otherwise, didn;t seem to have seen much hard use yet.

Check out some of the details.

Posted 13 years ago #
SRD
Moderator

This Schwinn Cruiser had seen a lot more use, but you can see that it has very similar lines to the Raleigh.

Posted 13 years ago #
LaidBack
Member

Nice pics SRD. Bikes with fenders do exist in US then? Look like seven or eight speed models.
Recognise the child seat.

Posted 13 years ago #
chdot
Admin

"Schwinn Cruiser had seen a lot more use, but you can see that it has very similar lines to the Raleigh"

Of course the Raleigh is a copy of Schwinns developed (or not) over decades.

THIS is the origin of the Paper bike! (note the fenders).

Re-imagined Schwinns sparked a cycling revolution.

Posted 13 years ago #
SRD
Moderator

And finally, an Elctra 'Betty' towing an equally snazzy Burley.

3-speed, coaster brakes...fab, fab, fab.

Love the fat tyres.

Posted 13 years ago #
SRD
Moderator

NYT on Dutch cycling here

Posted 13 years ago #
kaputnik
Moderator

The Falcon I saw earlier at the top of MMW was trying (but failing) to be that last bike.

the basket-panniers look handy.

Posted 13 years ago #
SRD
Moderator

Years ago, in Oxford, I got some folding basket/panniers. should'
ve been a good concept, but somehow never quite worked. Were heavy and creaky.

TBC carry Electras, but not the Betty {edit - is this actually the same bike with a diff name?- here's their blurb "Electra Townie Balloons from TBC allow you to do 2 things:

1. Ride a bike that looks incredible
2. Be awesome whilst riding a bike and attract mates.

We don't think anyone else offers those features....

The 3 speed hub gear and covered chain keep you clean and efficient while the baloon tyres from Schwalbe guarantee a cushioned and highly stable ride.

In a range of fresh colours (our favourite is the Orange/Tangerine) these bring back the fun to riding round town.

Top Tip - sling one of these hard in to a corner and feel the acres of grip off the tyre - great fun.

Spec wise, a lighweight aluminium frame mates with a comfy wide saddle, matching brown grips and mudguard eyelets. The bars are nice and well placed to allow you supreme control over the steering, plus you get the Flat Foot technology made famous by Electra - you get a commanding view over the traffic ahead and most importantly, you are seen by them too.

Go on, have some fun - get a Townie Balloon."

Posted 13 years ago #
kaputnik
Moderator

Maybe it is a Detroit thing, but 2 of those bikes are locked through the front wheel only and all 3 of the locks look like nailclippers would go through them!

Posted 13 years ago #
SRD
Moderator

Yes, we laughed at the locks too, but all these pics were in the same racks, in a reasonably secure area - entrance/exit controlled. So opportunistic theft pretty unlikely.

Posted 13 years ago #
SRD
Moderator

"Right now, riding a bike in Detroit is just about the coolest thing you can do,"

Posted 13 years ago #