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12 cool urban bicycles ready to replace your car
Bikes are tough to beat in terms of urban transportation: They're reliable, emissions-free, small, healthy, and cheap to operate. Check out our picks.
Sun, Mar 20 2011 at 4:34 PM
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Fuel-efficient vehicles are great. Driving less is even better.
We're big bicycle fans here. Bikes are tough to beat in terms of urban transportation: they're reliable, emissions-free, take up very little parking space, and cost almost nothing to operate. Depending on your commute or the length of your errand, it's possible that a bicycle will get you where you're going faster than an automobile. And they're great for your health.
For many people, a bicycle could replace a car (or a second vehicle). Even if putting your auto out to pasture isn't a realistic option, having a bicycle on hand can substantially lower your monthly transportation costs and environmental footprint.
What is an urban bike, anyway?
You can commute, get some fresh air, or fetch groceries on pretty much any bike that rolls. But urban bicycles are a developing class of bike which falls between skinny tired, racing-style bicycles and their burly offroad cousins, the mountain bike. They're known by a lot of trade names: city bikes, commuters, town bicycles and hybrids. Generally speaking, urban bikes are optimized for reliable city travel.
Features vary from bike to bike and manufacturer to manufacturer. Most urban bikes are built with a comfortable, upright riding position for better visibility in traffic. They may be equipped with one or more of the following: cargo racks; fenders and mudflaps; a light set; chain guard; wider, puncture-resistant tires; and a kickstand. Almost all urban bikes are multispeed, and many feature low-maintenance internal gearing.
About the bikes we've selected
We've chosen a dozen examples of purpose-built urban bicycles that would make worthy, full-time transportation. The cheapest retails for just over $500, and most are in the $1,000 class. Some cost more.
Why such expensive bicycles? Our philosophy in picking this bunch is that we're looking for automobile replacements. Even the most expensive of our choices is a bargain compared to a scooter, motorcycle or used car. You'll be getting quality components and a great frameset, which is the heart of a bicycle. Most models come with accessories which would cost more, if purchased separately. With reasonable care, any of these bikes could last a decade or longer — even under heavy use.
We've also stuck to bicycles from manufacturers with strong reputations. Most of these models should be available wherever you live, or can be purchased online. We'll list our choices alphabetically. Let's ride!
Breezer Uptown 8
Joe Breeze was an early pioneer in the development of what are now called mountain bikes. In the late 1990s, his attention turned to the idea of bicycles as urban transportation. Under the banner "transportation for a healthy planet," Breeze began designing bicycles specifically for the comfort and convenience of riders who would primarily use them for riding to work and running errands.
The Breezer Uptown 8 is an excellent example of a purpose-built urban bike. The unisex U-frame model, pictured here, can be ridden by anyone (a men's frameset is available). Here are all the classic city bike features: a built-in generator set and LED lights, a chainguard — the newest models are fully enclosed to keep cyclists clean — fenders, cargo rack and an internally geared 8-speed hub.
Breezer Uptown 8 from Breezer Bicycles. Approximate retail price $1,159.00.
Cannondale Street 1
Cannondale's aim with this model is clearly to put some style into urban commuting. The Street 1 is a great-looking package, with an aggressive-looking compact frame design and sexy paint. Strong points include disc brakes and a mild front suspension that can be locked out for maximum efficiency when roads are smooth. On the downside, the Street 1 is going to require considerable additions to make it ready for anything more than light commuting. Racks, fenders and lights will add to the Street 1's none-too-cheap purchase price.
2009 Street 1 from Cannondale Bicycles. Suggested retail price : $1,179.00.
Fuji Cambridge
Here's a gorgeous bike clearly designed to evoke the glory days of Raleigh 3-speeds and vintage grocery bicycles. The Fuji Cambridge oozes retro styling, but with modern components and materials. The Cambridge's most obvious feature is its lugged steel frame. Steel has fallen out of fashion as a frame material, replaced with lighter (and easy to fabricate) aluminum. But while it's a bit heavier, steel can give a much more forgiving ride than its aluminum equivalent — particularly when carrying cargo.
There are some nice details on the Cambridge, such as the sprung Brooks look-alike saddle, fenders, and an unusual mustache handlebar set. The 700c wheels are heavy duty, and paired with wider 38c tires for durability. Gearing is internal, through a Shimano 8-speed rear hub. Add headlights, and the Cambridge should serve for many years as a bombproof commuter with timeless lines.
Fuji Cambridge by Fuji Bikes. Suggested retail price: $1,250.00.
Gary Fisher Simple City 8
Technically, this is the Simple City 8W (women's frame). The men's version is the Simple City 8M, and comes in any color you like — so long as it's Gloss Sand.
Gary Fisher is actually a Trek company these days, but the parent company has shown enough common sense to let Fisher express its own design sense. That’s the case with the Simple City 8, a satisfyingly complete urban bike for under $1,000.
Both the men's and women's version of the Simple City 8 feature a distinctive front basket. In our experience, most bike errands are small runs with loads of 20 pounds or less. A lot of people find carrying cargo up front to be comforting. Your stuff is where you can see it — just throw a few bags in the basket and go. This particular basket, which is painted to match the bike, has a 5-point mount and a spring system to keep in in place while loading. Add a Shimano Nexus 8-speed rear hub, and the Simple City is a well-balanced, convenient city cruiser at a reasonable price point.
Simple City 8 from Gary Fisher Bicycles. Suggested retail price: $969.99.
Giant Transend EX
Giant started life stamping out bikes for other brands. These days, they've found their own voice, and are making some well-priced offerings in the commuter market.
The Transend EX is another remarkably complete city bicycle in the $1,000 class. Highlights include powerful disk brakes, a semi-enclosed chain, full fenders and a rear rack that comes with built-in straps (no fumbling with bungee cords!). Add lights, and you won't need a car for much.
Transend EX from Giant Bicycles. Suggested retail price: $920.00.
Novara Fusion
The Fusion is a great-looking urban bike that comes equipped with virtually everything: a headlight with built-in generator, disk brakes, cargo rack and full fenders. Best of all, it retails for $900.
There are downsides to the Fusion. It's only available through REI, the online outdoor merchant, so you probably won't be riding one before purchase. There only three frame sizes. But neither of these things are disqualifying, and the Fusion is an excellent, all-inclusive deal.
Novara Fusion by REI. Suggested retail price: $899.00.
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haha 2000 dollars is a lot of money for a bike.... I wanted a really good racing road bike... people pay more than 2 grand for them. I searched and searched for a new one the best I could come up with was 600 dollars.. haha and to other people at a race i'm just an amateur because of my "cheap" bike!! I'm really sick of everything being like that. It's time for the world to change dont you think!!
Some towns are more condusive to riding than others. I currently live in southern Arizona and, as much as I like to ride, there's no way I'm going to ride in this heat and UV, even with a Camelback and sunscreen..
I live in Seattle an seen bicyclist yell and almost run over an eldery women as he rode on the sidewalks back to the street. Most of the bikers here think they owed the right to break the laws, I couldn't agree more with butter art.
If you are in the Buffalo, NY area check out:
www.wheeliemcadams.com
You can have an old bike totally restored, or purchase a restored bike!
That's been my goal in life since I was a little child! To emulate the Japanese!
I lived without a vehicle for almost 5 yrs. Rode my bike to-from work. My bike cost $30 on craigslist.
REI an online merchant so "...so you probably won't be riding one before purchase"? Uh ... they have stores all over the country. Some even have test tracks to test ride bikes.
I can never get rid of my gas hog truck...How am I going to tow my boat to the lake?
i agree that bicycle prices seem high, but when i sold my car and bought a bike, i transferred the electronic payment that would have gone to car insurance into a savings account. that bike paid itself off in half a year just in insurance savings, nevermind gas.
Yeah, the prices are a bit much. I get to work on a $250 Diamondback that I put fenders and a rack on, and the only reason I spent that much on a bike is because there is a bike room where I work. When I was in college my bike was stolen about every six months no matter what I locked it with. If it weren't for the theft problem, I might want to spend a bit more.
and not remembering it because of the concussion you got when she knocked me off my bike with her mirror. Not half as bad as my insurance company deciding it was my fault (she didn't make a safe pass in a no passing zone). If you're going to ride, ride scared or ride scarred
Sorry you live in fear and I hope you get over your concussion.
Unless I can ride it on a highway with speeds of 60 mph, it will not replace my car. Side streets pretty much suck in my city.
If the towns and counties in VA would accommodate for bike travel, that would be perfect. For me I just work five miles away however with no shoulders on my roads I would be paying more on doctor bills.
If your city sucks so bad why not get yourself on one of those highways and move to someplace like seattle. We have more bike lanes than Copenhagen!
I've been to Seattle. It sucks, too. Buses that run on cable lines? What is this, the '30s?
Electric buses really suck. I hate them too since they are relatively quiet and don't puke diesel fumes all day long.
Bicyclists : Come to live and bicycle in Phoenix -- and DIE ! ! !
Yes! I can just see myself trying to get myself, my 3-year old and a week's worth of groceries and errand stuff home, up hill and down dale, IN 115DEGREE HEAT! It wouldn't all fit anyway. Articles like this make it all sound so good to sell product, but it would only be useful or practical in some very specialized applications.
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