I like the Breezer Finesse

JT, the manager of  Breezer Bikes, loaned me a Breezer Finesse bike to try out. I’ve had it a couple of weeks, and I think it’s worth sharing my perceptions. I’ll start by reflecting on what I’ve told people in person. Here’s what I’ve said to people:

• “You’ve got to try out this bike”
• “It’s so quiet”
• “The generator hub and ambient light sensors for the lights totally change my perception of night riding in the suburbs. It’s great. And look how they handled the wiring. It’s in the fenders.”
• “It’s very comfortable”
• “The 8 speed internal hub is nice, though the range could be a little wider.”

Basically, Breezer has paid attention to little details that make for a really nice bike.  It’s the kind of bike you’d want to ride to a business meeting – elegant, functional, and comfortable on a 1 mile hilly bike ride to Starbucks or a 10 mile urban bike ride to Mugshots.  It’s a bike people would admire, but it doesn’t call attention to itself (I’d like to think… though many people have noticed I was riding a new bike).

So… the question is, how do I get one?  My daughters and wife like the look of it.  This is a good start.  But we just bought a tandem last year, so the question becomes how one justifies buying a new bike two years in a row.

Basically, I think it comes down to budgeting about $5 a day for transportation costs.  And then the price becomes less of an issue.  It definitely beats driving a car or riding the train.  And with an awesome lighting system, the Breezer is a great bicycle for riding at night.