I’ve been contemplating a bicycle for my apartment in Toronto, though my buddy Dave would correct my adjective to “obsessing”. Can’t argue that, I have a fiendishly curious and convoluted thinking process and a need to know, before I make a “qualified” choice.

First problem that I need to tackle: do I really need a new bike, or should I drive my old “anonymous” Montreal-bred mountain-bike here.  Option one is 500+ km of on-roof-rack cost in increased fuel consumption due to drag.  Not that much money really.

Option two:  buy a good “hybrid” bike, something not too flashy so that bike thieves will leave it alone locked-up on the bike rack among other commuter bikes.  That pretty much precludes really cool things like hydrolic disc brakes and such.  Very sad to have to think this way.  I’ve only made one targeted decision so far: I really want a Shimano Nexus Inter-8 internal gear hub.

Among the contestants for “T.O. Bike” there is :

Louis Garneau Cityzen One/One

Price 650$ @ Urbane Cyclist

Frame Square geometry single speed w / city pack, Twin-Flex stays, 6061 aluminum
Fork Garneau Zen steel
Wheels Alloy, 700C, 36H, double wall
Front derailleur N/A
Rear derailleur Shimano Nexus, internal 8 speeds
Crankset Prowheel Pioneer single, 170 mm, 42T

Ride Impressions:  Tight and smooth, surprisingly comfortable seat/handlebar position.

I would change: Add stand, bottle holders

Pros: Price, ride, price , nice complete starter city commuter

Cons: cheapo brakes, no front mount for rack, convoluted setup for a classic bike stand

Giant Seek 1

Price 899$ @ Sweet Pete’s

Frame ALUXX-Grade Aluminum
Fork CroMo, alloy steerer w/ rack mounts
Wheels Alloy, double wall, 36H
Front derailleur N/A
Rear derailleur Shimano Alfine, Rapidfire Plus, 8SPD
Crankset Shimano Alfine, 45T

Ride Impressions:  Went for a ride on Seek 1 large and Seek 2 medium chassis.  Funny, I’d like something between the two.    And maybe a Seek 1 in black would have been great, this one white only, matte no less, attracts dirt like crazy.

I would change: Add fenders, rear cargo rack, stand, bottle holders

Pros: Nice un-cluttered chassis, great form, nice brakes, nice frame angle for stop-and-go

Cons: price given all the accesserious still to add, nice brakes scream “steal me!” , feels alittle heavy

KHS Urban X

Price 469$ @ Urbane Cyclist

Frame Alloy 6061, TIG welded w/Replaceable Derailleur Hanger
Fork Hi-Tensile unicrown
Wheels Weinmann Alloy Black w/machined sidewalls
Front Shimano FD-C051
Rear derailleur Shimano RD-2200
Crankset Shimano FC-191, 48/38/28 w/Chainguard

Ride Impressions:  Handlebar felt weird, seat was crap

I would change: Add stand, bottle holders

Pros: Very good price, complete city commuter, 26″ wheels

Cons: crap seat, iffy quality brakes/derailleurs, not a Shimano Alfine/Nexus 8

The wildcard choice, one that eliminates roof-rack needs, alleviates security issues for storage…

This little foldaway bike would set me up for a large price, given that I would option the “Season tikit” with the Shimano Nexus 8 … at somewhere north of 1600$.  Probably far north of that price.

No matter how neat, I do have to ponder how often I would attach a suitcase trailer and all that.  But I would certainly get the foot-stand, rear rack and the cover bag.  Taking it aboard trains, especially VIA rail, may pose a large problem due to bureaucratic interpretation of this being a “bike”.  But deep down, this appeals very much … I’m afraid it triggers some sort of “nice toy” gimmick response, on top of the obvious “utility” response.  Dave besmirches this choice for its obvious “not going to get laid” sticker it implies. I don’t dispute his view, though I wouldn’t be surprised if this bike would trigger many comments and conversations.

Just watch this:

UPDATE:

During my lunch hour today, after a tasty spicy sausage & fries in front of Federation HQ, I visited Urbane again and had a chance to test-drive the Bike Friday standard Hyperfold.  Not very surprising, the steering is nervous, being a small wheelbase and the front fork’s angles being so close to center point.  I described it as if the bike wanted to “Judo roll” while turning.  Of course, this is because I’m used to slow radius turns on much larger wheels.  Another surprise is the chassis flex, which again, make sense.  But the biggest surprise, it rides very well.  Maybe my butt took more of a beating then a larges frame/large wheel combo, but that is easily remedied.  Upon my return, I discovered that some 2008 Model T, “You can have it in any color as long as it’s black.”, are still in stock for 1000$.  That’s nice, since I could buy the bike without paying PST and then add the some of the necessary bits.  Very, I mean VERY tempting.

The other folding bike, which I didn’t have the time to test but may do so, was a no-name ugly duckling with impeccable parts.  Essentially, it’s a collection a pieces that form a “non-folding” folding bike.  The last bit translates to “it needs an Alan key” to fold.  But for 500$, it includes the Shimanu Nexus 8 red-band, worth 350$+ by itself.  Hmm….  I may need to test it.