Wednesday, July 16, 2008

Finding Some Local Style Over Speed

I have received so many emails inquiring where someone can find "dutch type bikes" or "bikes with style" here in Jacksonville after this previous post. I thought It might be helpful to those who have asked and those that have not yet done so to have a list of what "city" style bikes can be found at local bike shops in the Jacksonville area.

I'm also going finish this list up with a few bikes by manufactures that currently don't have local dealers. But, your local bike shop should be able to order one for you. Prices listed for each bike are the manufactures list price.

I have included a link to the website pages of each bike so you can see the spec of each and compare models. There is also a link to any independent reviews I was able to find.


All the bikes listed here have the following:
  • Upright Riding Position
  • Fenders - To keep water and other debris off
  • Chain Guard - So a rider need not make any alterations to his or hers street clothes prior to riding.
  • Multiple Speeds (Internal Hubs or Derailleurs)
  • Kick Stand - To steady the bike while racks and or panniers are loaded/unloaded.
  • Rack or the ability to install.
  • Style
Click on images for larger view

Electra Amsterdam - $550

Electra Website

Local Dealers:

Cycle Spectrum
4624 Town Crossing Drive
JACKSONVILLE, FL 32246
904-928-2453

Cycle Spectrum
1263 - 3rd St. S.
JACKSONVILLE BEACH, FL 32250
904-249-3959

BIKE FITTERS
1110 A1A NORTH
PONTE VEDRA FL 32082
904-285-3775

Cannondale Street - $ Unknown


Website

Local Dealers:

CITY CYCLE INC.
2740 PARK STREET
JACKSONVILLE FL 32204
904-356-2453

BICYCLES ETC
8036 PHILIPS HWY # 8
JACKSONVILLE FL 32256
904 733 9030

BIKE FITTERS
1110 A1A NORTH
PONTE VEDRA FL 32082
904-285-3775

Giant Tran Send EX - $760



Website

Local Dealers:

CHAMPION CYCLING
1025 ARLINGTON RD N
JACKSONVILLE FL 32211-5899
904-724-4922

CAMDEN BICYCLE CENTER
1929 OSBORNE RD
SAINT MARYS GA 31558
912-576-9696

ISLAND BICYCLE
211 ANASTASIA BLVD
ST. AUGUSTINE FL 32080
904-824-4010

Bianchi Milano - $775


Website

Local Dealers:

OPEN ROAD BICYCLES, INC.
3544 SAINT JOHNS AVE
JACKSONVILLE, FL 32205
(904) 388.9066

OPEN ROAD BICYCLES, INC.
4466 HENDRICKS AVE.
JACKSONVILLE, FL 32207
(904) 636-7772

OPEN ROAD BICYCLES, INC.
1560 BUSINESS CENTER DR STE 4
ORANGE PARK, FL 32003
(904) 541.1816

Redline 530 - $590


Website

Review of 530

Local Dealers:

LAKESHORE SCHWINN
2108 BLANDING BLVD.
JACKSONVILLE FL 32210
(904) 388-0612

BICYCLES ETC
8036 PHILIPS HWY # 8
JACKSONVILLE FL 32256
904 733 9030

BICYCLES ETC
10095 Beach Blvd.
Jacksonville, FL 32246
(904) 997-8114

Schwinn Coffee/Cream - $390



Website

Local Dealers:

LAKESHORE SCHWINN
2108 BLANDING BLVD.
JACKSONVILLE FL 32210
(904) 388-0612

Schwinn Sid/Nancy - $500



Website

Local Dealers:

LAKESHORE SCHWINN
2108 BLANDING BLVD.
JACKSONVILLE FL 32210
(904) 388-0612

Gary Fisher Simple City 3 - $550 - Simple City 8 - $880



Website

Local Dealers:

BICYCLES ETC
8036 PHILIPS HWY # 8
JACKSONVILLE FL 32256
904 733 9030

BICYCLES ETC
10095 Beach Blvd.
Jacksonville, FL 32246
(904) 997-8114

Trek Bicycles of Jacksonville
9965 San Jose Boulevard #6
Jacksonville , FL 32257-5866
904-880-7227

American Bicycle Company
240 South 3rd Street
Jacksonville Beach , FL 32250-6717
904-246-4433

CAMDEN BICYCLE CENTER
1929 OSBORNE RD
SAINT MARYS GA 31558
912-576-9696

Sprockets Bicycle Shop
34 Riop Vista Drive
St Augustine , FL 32084-4162
904-824-2422

Specialized Globe City - $630 - $910


Website

Local Dealers:

OPEN ROAD BICYCLES, INC.
3544 SAINT JOHNS AVE
JACKSONVILLE, FL 32205
(904) 388.9066

OPEN ROAD BICYCLES, INC.
4466 HENDRICKS AVE.
JACKSONVILLE, FL 32207
(904) 636-7772

OPEN ROAD BICYCLES, INC.
1560 BUSINESS CENTER DR STE 4
ORANGE PARK, FL 32003
(904) 541.1816

LAKESHORE SCHWINN
2108 BLANDING BLVD.
JACKSONVILLE FL 32210
(904) 388-0612

The Following Bike Have No Local Dealer. Your Local Dealer Will Order For You.

KHS Green - $330


Website

Review

Local Dealers:

Jacksonville = None

BIKE FITTERS
1110 A1A NORTH
PONTE VEDRA FL 32082
904-285-3775

Biria Classic Dutch - $550




Website

No Local Dealers

Biria Easy Boarding - $500


Website

Review

No Local Dealers

Breezer Freedom - $500


Website

No Local Dealers - Which baffles the hell out of me

Breezer Uptown 8 - $1100



Website

No Local Dealer - Still Baffled

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I hope this helps some of you find what you are looking for. If you do, send us a picture or two of your new ride. Also let us know about your experience at the bike shop.

There are some really great bikes that I left off this list because they lacked just one of the requirements. They were missing either a kick stand, fenders or a chain guard. But those items could easily be added.

Also don't think you have to purchase new to find a quality  commuter. Visit CycleDelic Fixity and check out what Brooklyn has or have him build you a new old ride. Or go to Zombie Bikes and have them help you build your own. My ride is a vintage Schwinn I picked up on Craig's List for $20 and then put another $40 in repairs and added a rack and panniers for one stylish fun daily ride.






6 comments:

Linda said...

I would like to leave a thought about using recycled bikes as commuter bikes. If you are having trouble with price of a new commuter bike, I suggest that there are used bikes available which could serve your purpose.

If you are willing to drive south to Gainesville, a real bike mecca, you have a greater chance of buying a decent ride on a used bike. I bought a used Raleigh three speed from a bike shop several years ago, got some upgrades to tires, and a new seat for about a third of the cost of a new bike.

I was advised to check used bikes after graduation and before fall session starts up.

Local dealers here in Jax don't make money on used bikes and don't want to mess with them. Maybe that will change someday if we get more people commuting. Anyway, think about recycling a cycle.

GhostRider said...

Great roundup of urban commuters, and a great idea to track down the various local dealers of those bikes!

My, that's a beautiful old Schwinn you've got at the end of the article, too. I, too, am a big fan of breathing new life into an old bike, whether it is "recycled", as Linda suggests, or is just one that's been languishing in the garage for years.

Wordnerdy said...

No love for the Electra Townie Commuter? Every time I have to stop, I wish I had gone with "flat foot technology." Because I don't like waiting at intersections on my tippy-toes.

Nice job. I'm now considering a scooter for longer rides, like Jax or Orlando, and maybe for the frigid winter months. Just thinkin'. I have a bit of saving to do first, plus all that research ... and completion of a motorcycle class. But I think I'd be precious on a Vespa. Who needs speed anymore? I'd take US 1; you know I hate 95 as it is.

Bike Jax said...

Linda, your comments are right on the money. However the majority of newbie commuters have neither the skill, knowledge or desire to deal with finding, repairing or restoring an older bike.
Let's get them on a bike and riding. And for their second bike we'll ease them into the recycling of products and anti-consumerism club. We don't want to force too much green goodness on them and take the chance of scaring them off. (smile)

Hey Ghost, Thanks for the compliment. It took a lot of time and effort to put this list together. But I happily did it in the hopes that if enough people inquire about these bikes. Our LBS's will start to get it. And that just maybe they will start to order and keep city bikes in stock.

That Schwinn Collegiate is the most fun bike I have ever owned. I make up reasons to go places so I can ride it. There is no greater pleasure than throwing my leg over that bike, putting on my ipod and listening to some freshly loaded Morbid Anal Fog while cruising along the St. Johns River.

Wordnerdy. Yes, no love for the Townie. All models with exception of the 21 are missing fenders and a kick stand. And the second reason is the total lack of style with the Townie. The riding position is more of a laid back cruiser position than an upright one. And for my aesthetics, those bikes just don't make the grade.

GhostRider said...

So, Matt...you're a lover of bacon, too, and I'm guessing you're also a reader of HTATBL, right? ;)

Anonymous said...

nestliving in 5 points are now selling abici, a retro styled Italian built commuter bike. the display models should be in the store in May. you can see the line by clicking on the link below:

http://www.nest-living.com/collections/abici-bicycle