100%
Human
We believe that you shouldn't have to be a 'bike warrior' to ride in NYC. We were in Amsterdam this spring and were amazed at the variety of regular people who were riding their bicycles everywhere, and carrying everything imaginable with them. Grandmas, school-kids, fashionistas and businessmen alike glide through the city not only looking cool, but staying in shape and getting there faster than they would with a car.
The bikes they ride look nothing like what you find in typical NYC bicycle stores, and are so much better for getting around and doing stuff than the racing and mountain bikes you see most people ride. Inspired by how quiet, clean, and stylish the dutch are, we started looking for cool bikes for NYC that you don't see elsewhere. While some of the really cool rides they have (like 70 lb, 8 foot long Bakfietsen) don't make much sense for NYC, the concept of being able to carry real cargo (like a weeks worth of groceries for a family of 5) was one we saw being neglected by regular shops.
So far, the best transport and cargo bikes we have found are from Electra and Xtracycle.
Electra (not electric!) is an American company that understands design and style for this segment better than any other. We carry both their 'Amsterdam' line of 'Dutch Style' bikes as well as some super cool models selected from their Ticino and Cruiser lines. All of them have been designed for the US market, and therefor are significantly lighter than you would expect. For now, visit www.electrabike.com, and we'll have many more individual product reviews and pictures shortly.
Girard
in Greenpoint
Growing up on the Lower East Side of NYC, my first experience with bike riding was on a ten speed bike that belonged to my brother's super tall buddy and in tiny broken glass and garbage strewn "park" when I was 17. Needless to say, it was not a fun experience. So, when we got our first batch of bicycles at carbon(-), I was a bit nervous. But the moment I got on the Electra Amsterdam, I finally got that, "Whee, this is fun!" feeling. Not only did the bike fit me (finally), but it was a breeze to ride. The fact that I didn't have to worry about my trench getting caught in the wheels or getting dirty from road spatter was great. Can't wait to ride it all summer!
Amsterdam
Royal 8i
I have been riding the Royal 8i around the city and I have to say I love it - the set of features that it has works really well for New York. With bicycles, its all about the details - the Royal has a rare combination of features in a relatively light package. The coat guard and enclosed chain keeps your pants and any long cloths clean and intact, without the pants-tucked-in-sock look which I hate. The internal brakes is another detail many don't think of - but they work exactly the same (well) regardless of how wet or slimy the streets or wheels get. I certainly have ridden plenty of bikes where the brakes pretty much go away entirely as soon as they are wet - no fun at all when a cab swerves into the bike lane. Before I logged any real miles, I kinda scoffed at the 'flat foot technology' that Electra touts on their website, but it actually works to give you correct knee geometry for speed and low strain, while taking all the load off your wrists and allowing easy, flat foot stops at lights etc. Combined with the 8 speed internal hub, this makes stop and go riding very easy - unlike a derailluer type gearchange, you can shift gears after you have come to a stop, without pedaling. Very, very slick!
Electra
Amsterdam
The dutch have been using bicycles as their primary form of transport for a hundred years or so, and have refined the concept of a bike meant for transportation as well as any in the world. The Amsterdam line of bicycles from electra are inspired by and draw from the best of these traditions with a few twists that make them even better suited for the us market. In broad strokes, Electra bicycles are significantly lighter than you would expect, and all feature their 'flat-foot' technology.
