Airisto Commuter 8-Speed Pelago

How is a city bike different from other types of bikes?

Behind each bike lies a designer, and within each designer lies assumptions. The assumption of most North American bike designers is that people ride bikes for recreation, which usually involves a bike path, a country road, and several hours of spare time. The bikes that result from this assumption are usually hunched-over, have exposed oily drivetrains that require tighter athletic clothes, feature anywhere from 21 to 33 speeds, and aren’t often made to be locked up to metal poles all day, especially in foul weather. A city bike is quite the opposite. Its position is gloriously upright, the chain is able to be totally covered, you can wear whatever you want, you have all the gears you’d ever need (3-speeds for flatter terrain, 7 or 8-speeds for hills), and tough frames and sealed mechanisms to battle all kinds of weather. 

What’s the difference between a brand like Pelago and others you carry?

Here in Canada, winters can suck. But Finland is reported as being the happiest country worldwide – and their winters are much colder, darker, and longer than ours! Part of this can be attributed to the fact that they cycle year-round, with the city of Oulu being the informal winter cycling capital of the world. You can ride in all seasons with any bike (and many Canadian cyclists do) but the Fins are dedicated to riding good bikes that are made to handle winter weather – with powder-coated steel frames, internal gear hubs, upright riding positions and puncture-proof tires.

When comparing a Pelago to a Linus, the Pelago will be a lot longer-wearing – the paint won’t “pock” over time and the frame is stronger. A fair comparison would be a Pelago against an Achielle, but the latter is much heavier and designed for slower rides than the more moderately-positioned Pelago. A Fahrradmanufaktur cuts its teeth on being an excellent trekking bike as well as a city bike, whereas the Pelago shines in urban environments with some longer rail-path rides thrown in.

Is a Step-thru for Women and a Roadster for Men?

Heck no! It’s the 21^stcentury and anyone can ride either a Step-thru or a Roadster. The difference between the two is not gender, but position. A Step-thru has a remarkably high head-tube that raises the handlebar up very high so the back is straight and the hips pointed forward. A Roadster has a much shorter headtube that positions the rider over the handlebars for more control, and the hips over the cranksets for more power. If you imagine yourself toodling through the bike lane at a stylish and efficient pace, choose a Step-thru. If you imagine a bit more zip and power then choose a Roadster.

How strong are the wheels and will I get a lot of punctures?

Wheels are always the first part to break on most bikes and these wheels are strong! All the city bikes we sell feature strong double-walled rims that are internally box-sectioned to handle streetcar tracks and potholes. They all feature strong stainless-steel spokes that can never rust. Bikes like the Pelagos also feature Schwalbe Delta Plus tires that are Kevlar-belted to drastically reduce punctures in the city.

What is an internal gear hub?

In Europe a bike with an internal gear hub is what makes it a definitive city bike. Internal gear hubs are awesome. Because the chain isn’t derailed up and down a set of external cogs (using a derailleur), the chain will never fall off again, and best of all, the chain can be covered so you can wear whatever you want. The gears are sealed inside the rear hub and they hold a tune two times longer than a derailleur, minimizing tune-ups and allowing you to store the bike outside throughout the winter problem-free.

How do I ensure my new bike won’t get stolen?

Research shows that very few bicycle thefts are related to a bicycles value and are best defined as low-risk/low-return. A good bicycle lock is expensive to break through and takes time, thus increasing the risk and lowering the return. Estimates are that over 90% of bicycle theft is tied to cash-for-drugs and that makes every bike a target. Make sure you buy a good Abus U-lock or a chain and you’ll be fine. You can read more about bike theft here.

What’s the warranty?

Five year warranty for manufacturer’s defects on frame and fork, one year on parts. Does not include wear and tear.