City Rides: Specialty Bikes

Let’s face it, sometimes you just want to add another bike to your stable. Here are three more cool bikes to fill up your garage.

::GEARBOX
Ticino 20D – $2,499
Electra
13062

Few companies can boast of the quality and coolness factor of Electra. But for 2010, the company has what might just be its coolest bike yet. The Ticino lineup includes 13 bikes for men and women that look completely vintage, but offer modern technologies such as 700c wheels. The top-of-the-line 20D has a retro-looking Shimano 105 drivetrain (complete with down tube shifters), hammered alloy fenders, front and rear racks, an old-school paint job and leather grips, saddle and toe clips.

::GEARBOX
Rush Hour – $925
Raleigh
13063

Fixed-gear commuter bikes continue to be hot sellers – especially when they look this good. With minimalist graphics and a cool grey/light blue colour scheme, the Raleigh Rush Hour is a great choice for riders who want a fun bike to get around the city on. It has a Reynolds 520 Chromoly frame, Tioga Chromo fork, Sugino 42t chain ring and Tektro brakes. The wheels are Weinmanns with Vittoria tires and a flip-flop hub so you can go fixie or singlespeed freewheel. It’s available in 50, 53, 56 and 59cm frame sizes.

::GEARBOX
Hammerhead – $1,599
Dahon
13102

In 20 seconds you can go from having an extra piece of luggage to a reasonably-lightweight road bike. The Dahon Hammerhead uses the company’s LockJaw folding frame technology to create a surprisingly comfortable and agile road bike. It has an aluminum frame and fork with a carbon flat handlebar. SRAM X.9 shifters are used with an X.9 rear derailleur, FSA Gossamer cranks, Avid Speed Dial 7 brake levers and Kinetix ProStop V-brakes. The wheels are lightweight 20″ Kinetix Pros with special Schwalbe Kojak tires made for Dahon.