BIKE: Low maintenance commuter bike

[Patrick Goetz]

3rd post, I'm an evil person.

Eric Anderson wrote:
>  
> Like Dick Ryan, I would highly recommend the Bianci Milano. Bianci also 
> has a a couple of other nice commuter bikes, one equipped with a modern 
> "dyna-hub" for your lights.
>  

My GF just got a Bianchi Castro Valley and loves it.

    http://www.bianchiusa.com/607.html

This is the closest thing I've seen yet to what I consider the ideal 
commuter bike (lightweight and fast, but reliable and practical).  It 
features 700CC wheels, a front dyna-hub, and a single chainring to allow 
for a pants-saving chainguard, and fenders.  (Not to mention that it 
looks fly.)


Of course to turn it into a truly safe and useful commuter bike we 
replaced the handlebars with a Nitto Dove bar (Albatross for someone 
with broader shoulders):
    http://www.rivbike.com/webalog/handlebars_stems_tape/16123.html

with super comfortable, long lasting Dimension hand-stiched leather grips:
    http://shop.airbomb.com/site/intro.cfm?PageID=37&SKU=HT1306

and added a Jannd Expedition rack:
    http://www.jandd.com/detail.asp?PRODUCT_ID=FREXP


Of course the Tubus rack would have been cool, too:
    http://www.tubus.net/eng/produkte/hinterradtraeger/cargo.php

If you have $700 to spend, this is the bike to get.