Comments on: Civia Cycles due out in March http://www.commutebybike.com/2008/02/16/civia-cycles-due-out-in-march/ Tips, Hints, Reviews and Safety for Bike Commuters Sat, 11 Feb 2012 19:00:59 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: rick http://www.commutebybike.com/2008/02/16/civia-cycles-due-out-in-march/comment-page-1/#comment-76973 rick Tue, 04 Mar 2008 13:45:14 +0000 http://commutebybike.com/2008/02/16/civia-cycles-due-out-in-march/#comment-76973 I really like the design of the Civia. It has a very industrial urban look that appeals to me. Of course they say beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I think if it had a matching front rack it would be more useful as a car replacement bike, I see bikes like the Ute and Extracycle as truck replacements. As useful as Utes and Extracycles are they are not the most fun bikes to ride I see them more as work bikes. Bikes such as the Civia are like station wagons, bikes such as an Ute I liken to pick up trucks. I really like the design of the Civia. It has a very industrial urban look that appeals to me. Of course they say beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I think if it had a matching front rack it would be more useful as a car replacement bike, I see bikes like the Ute and Extracycle as truck replacements. As useful as Utes and Extracycles are they are not the most fun bikes to ride I see them more as work bikes. Bikes such as the Civia are like station wagons, bikes such as an Ute I liken to pick up trucks.

]]> By: wannaCmore http://www.commutebybike.com/2008/02/16/civia-cycles-due-out-in-march/comment-page-1/#comment-76581 wannaCmore Sat, 01 Mar 2008 15:55:29 +0000 http://commutebybike.com/2008/02/16/civia-cycles-due-out-in-march/#comment-76581 This one being marketed as a "car replacement", eh? I'm not buying it. I would rather get something more versatile like the Xtracycle or Kona Ute and save some $$. This one being marketed as a “car replacement”, eh? I’m not buying it. I would rather get something more versatile like the Xtracycle or Kona Ute and save some $$.

]]> By: Quinn http://www.commutebybike.com/2008/02/16/civia-cycles-due-out-in-march/comment-page-1/#comment-76541 Quinn Sat, 01 Mar 2008 04:34:18 +0000 http://commutebybike.com/2008/02/16/civia-cycles-due-out-in-march/#comment-76541 I agree with Mike Myers, I too took another look at Civia today, and they don't seem as bad as they used to. However, for those prices, I think people expect- 1. a race ready road rocket Or 2. A Bruce Gordon type bike. I agree with Mike Myers, I too took another look at Civia today, and they don’t seem as bad as they used to.

However, for those prices, I think people expect- 1. a race ready road rocket Or 2. A Bruce Gordon type bike.

]]> By: Mike Myers http://www.commutebybike.com/2008/02/16/civia-cycles-due-out-in-march/comment-page-1/#comment-76540 Mike Myers Sat, 01 Mar 2008 04:24:06 +0000 http://commutebybike.com/2008/02/16/civia-cycles-due-out-in-march/#comment-76540 I was pretty anti-Civia at first. I've had some time to reconsider it, and I've changed my opinion to "meh". I don't think it's going to do well at all, BUT---at least somebody is gambling and trying. I just don't think the way to get people on commuter bikes is by aiming at the mass-produced super high end. High tech isn't the answer----or at least not this kind of high tech. If we're going to design a commuter bike that truly is single purpose, then let's go for broke. How about monocoque carbon, hidden cables, hidden dynohub wiring, mag wheels(pothole proof), hard luggage, electric assist, etc? It's not a bad bike, the Civia. I just don't think they're going to hit the market they're aiming for. It's just not COOL. The guy who rides a Madone is going to want a little more flash in his commuter, and the guy who rides a Waterford is going to want a lot more organic feel in his commuter. I wish them luck, but I really doubt that stores are doing lots of preorders on this thing. Any Trek dealer that took a bath on the L200(or whatever the fully specced commuter that bombed was) will think twice about investing in this thing. But the Simple City is going to do VERY WELL, and the SC8 w.basket isn't exactly cheap. Why? Style, friends, style. It's distinctive and unique. The cream color, especially, looks expensive and rich and delicious. The Civia looks bland and stark. I was pretty anti-Civia at first. I’ve had some time to reconsider it, and I’ve changed my opinion to “meh”. I don’t think it’s going to do well at all, BUT—at least somebody is gambling and trying. I just don’t think the way to get people on commuter bikes is by aiming at the mass-produced super high end. High tech isn’t the answer—-or at least not this kind of high tech.

If we’re going to design a commuter bike that truly is single purpose, then let’s go for broke. How about monocoque carbon, hidden cables, hidden dynohub wiring, mag wheels(pothole proof), hard luggage, electric assist, etc?

It’s not a bad bike, the Civia. I just don’t think they’re going to hit the market they’re aiming for. It’s just not COOL. The guy who rides a Madone is going to want a little more flash in his commuter, and the guy who rides a Waterford is going to want a lot more organic feel in his commuter.

I wish them luck, but I really doubt that stores are doing lots of preorders on this thing. Any Trek dealer that took a bath on the L200(or whatever the fully specced commuter that bombed was) will think twice about investing in this thing.

But the Simple City is going to do VERY WELL, and the SC8 w.basket isn’t exactly cheap. Why? Style, friends, style. It’s distinctive and unique. The cream color, especially, looks expensive and rich and delicious. The Civia looks bland and stark.

]]> By: Mike Flanigan http://www.commutebybike.com/2008/02/16/civia-cycles-due-out-in-march/comment-page-1/#comment-76010 Mike Flanigan Mon, 25 Feb 2008 22:55:45 +0000 http://commutebybike.com/2008/02/16/civia-cycles-due-out-in-march/#comment-76010 Coyote, Thank you for mentioning my Boston Roadster. http://www.antbikemike.com/bostonroadster.html the ANT BR does cost $1,995 complete with a rear rack and is very nice [nice details and comes in about 23 sizes]; however my delivery time is pretty bad at 9 to 12 months etc.. I am hoping that the Civia and others like it will drive people towards cycling for transportation in general. Having more people on bikes will help with the cycling image, getting funding for better cycle paths, roads etc...and maybe buying a bike from me too:) At first I was bummed with the Civia's aluminum frame and carbon fork, but now after giving it some thought this may work for their intended market...new people to cycling. the internal gear hubs, lights, fenders etc...really add a lot of weight and shaving a few lbs with the Al and Carbon will help with selling these bikes. The styling [while it does not appeal to me] I think will appeal to the new commuter, moving back into the city [from the burbs], likes stainless steel appliances kind of person. The people that do not like the Civia have many choices that look nice...Kogswell, Surly...ANT Sincerely Mike Flanigan/ANT Coyote, Thank you for mentioning my Boston Roadster. http://www.antbikemike.com/bostonroadster.html

the ANT BR does cost $1,995 complete with a rear rack and is very nice [nice details and comes in about 23 sizes]; however my delivery time is pretty bad at 9 to 12 months etc..

I am hoping that the Civia and others like it will drive people towards cycling for transportation in general. Having more people on bikes will help with the cycling image, getting funding for better cycle paths, roads etc…and maybe buying a bike from me too:)

At first I was bummed with the Civia’s aluminum frame and carbon fork, but now after giving it some thought this may work for their intended market…new people to cycling. the internal gear hubs, lights, fenders etc…really add a lot of weight and shaving a few lbs with the Al and Carbon will help with selling these bikes. The styling [while it does not appeal to me] I think will appeal to the new commuter, moving back into the city [from the burbs], likes stainless steel appliances kind of person.

The people that do not like the Civia have many choices that look nice…Kogswell, Surly…ANT

Sincerely Mike Flanigan/ANT

]]> By: Steve http://www.commutebybike.com/2008/02/16/civia-cycles-due-out-in-march/comment-page-1/#comment-75728 Steve Fri, 22 Feb 2008 12:38:30 +0000 http://commutebybike.com/2008/02/16/civia-cycles-due-out-in-march/#comment-75728 1900 for an ANT? I didn't know they were that inexpensive. He was one of the few this year that I really enjoyed at the NAHBS. 1900 for an ANT? I didn’t know they were that inexpensive. He was one of the few this year that I really enjoyed at the NAHBS.

]]> By: burnsey http://www.commutebybike.com/2008/02/16/civia-cycles-due-out-in-march/comment-page-1/#comment-75705 burnsey Fri, 22 Feb 2008 06:00:19 +0000 http://commutebybike.com/2008/02/16/civia-cycles-due-out-in-march/#comment-75705 My two cents worth. Yes it is a good looking bike.I It is what the new Volkswagon Beetle is to the old Bug, you immediately recognize it, but appreciate the updated styling. My fear of high prices commuters, is leaving them unattended for long periods of time, thus my penchant for riding a bike I put together from pieces. Sort of like the old car that no one wants to steal. It may incite more people to commute, and may be just in time for an economic crunch where a family gives up one car and buys one bike. Overall, I think there will be a shift in thinking, albeit it slowly, concerning commuting. It will become more respectable as more and more people ride. My two cents worth.
Yes it is a good looking bike.I
It is what the new Volkswagon Beetle is to the old Bug, you immediately recognize it, but appreciate the updated styling.
My fear of high prices commuters, is leaving them unattended for long periods of time, thus my penchant for riding a bike I put together from pieces. Sort of like the old car that no one wants to steal.
It may incite more people to commute, and may be just in time for an economic crunch where a family gives up one car and buys one bike.
Overall, I think there will be a shift in thinking, albeit it slowly, concerning commuting. It will become more respectable as more and more people ride.

]]> By: Cte http://www.commutebybike.com/2008/02/16/civia-cycles-due-out-in-march/comment-page-1/#comment-75696 Cte Fri, 22 Feb 2008 03:21:44 +0000 http://commutebybike.com/2008/02/16/civia-cycles-due-out-in-march/#comment-75696 I don't get it, at the same price (~$1,900) you could get an A.N.T. Boston Roadster with a dynamo hub and lights, Brooks saddle, kick stand, chain guard equipped bicycle, made in the US by a craftsman. Instead of an off-shore built, corporate branded, corner cutting bike that frankly looks like a bit of a rip-off. I don’t get it, at the same price (~$1,900) you could get an A.N.T. Boston Roadster with a dynamo hub and lights, Brooks saddle, kick stand, chain guard equipped bicycle, made in the US by a craftsman.

Instead of an off-shore built, corporate branded, corner cutting bike that frankly looks like a bit of a rip-off.

]]> By: Steve http://www.commutebybike.com/2008/02/16/civia-cycles-due-out-in-march/comment-page-1/#comment-75500 Steve Wed, 20 Feb 2008 14:36:22 +0000 http://commutebybike.com/2008/02/16/civia-cycles-due-out-in-march/#comment-75500 Mike hit it on the head. Civia is way ahead of the market here. I hope they take these next two or so years to establish the brand and succeed. Great job all the way around. I did a 650b conversion (Ed Braley, thank you!) on my Al/C bike and it's great for around town. I see no problem with the materials or design. Mike hit it on the head. Civia is way ahead of the market here. I hope they take these next two or so years to establish the brand and succeed. Great job all the way around. I did a 650b conversion (Ed Braley, thank you!) on my Al/C bike and it’s great for around town. I see no problem with the materials or design.

]]> By: Quinn http://www.commutebybike.com/2008/02/16/civia-cycles-due-out-in-march/comment-page-1/#comment-75420 Quinn Tue, 19 Feb 2008 17:26:24 +0000 http://commutebybike.com/2008/02/16/civia-cycles-due-out-in-march/#comment-75420 changes the orenge flag to white and rides away. changes the orenge flag to white and rides away.

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