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My husband and I both have hybrid-bordering-on-road-bikes that we used to use for longer commutes and now use to haul a kids bike trailer. We’re going to get a city/commuter bike (which we will share) for short-ish (3-6 mile) commutes, quick trips to the store (1-2 miles) and low-key rides (bike-path and side streets) with our toddler in a front seat (Yepp mini) and later, when she’s bigger, a rear seat (Yepp maxi). (The toddler is the main motivation for the new bike, as neither the front or rear carrier really work with our current bikes, but we’re also looking forward to a more upright, regular-clothes biking option.)
We’ve looked at Public bikes (C7 loop frame, 7-speed derailleur), Biria bikes (Citibike loop-frame, 3-speed internal hub and 8-speed derailleur), and Brooklyn Bicycles (Willow and Franklin step-through frame with 3-speed internal hub or 7-speed derailleur, respectively). I love the looks of the Public and Biria but we’re actually leaning toward the Brooklyn bikes because while I can ride all of them comfortably in their largest size, my husband felt the Brooklyn was a more comfortable fit for him than the others. Plus, they have a handlebar that seems especially well-suited to riding with a front-mounted child seat, as it’s a bit more swept-back than the others.
However, there are other differences and I have a few questions specific to this type of riding that I’d love some feedback on, never having shopped for this type of bike before, that would help us decide.
1. All of these bikes have fenders, and chainguards above the chain, but not all of them have a chainguard on the chainring. Is this actually something we will miss (we plan to ride in regular clothes, including skirts) or does it not matter? Or should I not be looking at these bikes at all and only go for some sort of vintage bike with a full enclosure over the whole drivetrain or is the guard over the chain top likely sufficient?
2. I’m not sure what type of gearing to get. I’ve read all the arguments for an internal hub (lower maintenance, less grimy, etc.) but again, how much am I really going to notice the difference? This is not an attempt to get someone to reassure me that I don’t need one; I’m honestly asking – the idea appeals to me, but realistically, we’re not going to ride in terrible weather or the winter; we walk/take the subway or bus, or drive, in cases where it’s really raining or extremely cold/unpleasant to be outside and I imagine that’ll continue, especially with a toddler. The thing that probably appeals to me most about the internal hub is the ability to shift gears while stopped, but I also wonder if it’ll be tricky for us to switch back and forth between our bikes if one is an internal and the other a derailleur. Finally, do you think that a 3-speed internal hub is sufficient for biking around Boston (specifically Cambridge/Somerville if you’re familiar with the area), with the extra weight of a kid and possibly a pannier/bag on the bike? We’re not a hilly city in general, but it’s definitely not always flat; I’d say there are lots of very gradual hills, with the occasional steep incline (College Ave. in Somerville, going over bridges, etc.). I guess the hesitation I have of going with the derailleur is that it will somehow make it harder to ride in regular/nicer clothes. Any thoughts on this?
3. Does anyone know where I can find a front rack similar to what comes on the Biria, if we don’t get that bike? Does this even exist, if your bike doesn’t have rack braze-ons halfway up?
4. I’d love any feedback in general on these particular bikes, especially the Brooklyn Willow or Franklin (formerly Brooklyn Cruiser) since that is sort of what we’re leaning toward.
Thanks for any thoughts you have!
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Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Praesent tempus eleifend risus ut congue. Pellentesque nec lacus elit. Pellentesque convallis nisi ac augue pharetra eu tristique neque consequat. Mauris ornare tempor nulla, vel sagittis diam convallis eget.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Praesent tempus eleifend risus ut congue. Pellentesque nec lacus elit. Pellentesque convallis nisi ac augue pharetra eu tristique neque consequat. Mauris ornare tempor nulla, vel sagittis diam convallis eget.
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