For quite a while now, we’ve been dreaming and scheming a design for our own “house” brand. We are not exactly sure where this is eventually lead (it may just die a quite death) but we thought it worthwhile enough to share:

If you take a look at the bikes we sell, you will conclude two things about our preferences:

1. A proclivity for classic lugged steel, traditional sized tubing, and “balanced” proportions.
2. Bikes with versatility are good.  Wide tires, fenders, racks, etc. are a positive things for non-competitive riders.

So naturally, these design elements are reflected in our little sketchbook:

And yes, these are a rough draft of the same bike.  We envision a do-all style cyclocross bike that can “Race on Sunday, Commute on Monday.”

But the other thing that cannot be conveyed in these unpolished drafts is the way we would like to go about building the bike.  In fact, anyone can produce concept drawings like these via BikeCAD (and please don’t hold us to any of the details, these are simply drafts), but what separates this bike from other worthwhile offerings is:

• High quality lugged steel — something of the Reynolds 853 or Columbus variety.
• A line of standard frame sizes. Custom options available upon request.
• Pricing that falls in the $1250 – $1500 range for frame + fork.
• Made right here in the U.S. of A. by a handful of selected craftsman.
• Reasonable production turn-around times. Ideally a month or less.

Basically, we are thinking of offering a sub $1500, standard frame sized, lugged steel, made in America ‘cross bike that can be used for commuting and light touring.  And although that sounds like somewhat of a stretch, no one (and let us know if we’re wrong) is doing it right now.  As per usual Renaissance Bicycles is looking to fill a niche in the Market.

But regardless of our day-dreaming, the real question is: Do you think people will be interested?

Sure we think our opinions are always spot on, but it’s good to hear the thoughts of others as well.  Tom Wyland, the curator of Bikes For The Rest Of Us, takes a moment to reflect on the current state of cycling for transportation in the following Guest Post:

You’re a typical American Bicyclist.  On your car is the latest Swedish roof rack to cradle your road bike as you drive it to your rail-trail or group ride.  Your carbon fiber rims with the skinniest of tires to carry you with a rumble to your maximum speed.  Brightly-colored spandex shows off your sponsors as you speed by dog walkers and runners.  Let’s not forget about the shoes that you selected from the wall-of-shoes at your local bike shop.  How else would you make those lollipop pedals go around?

Is this really as good as cycling gets in the US?  Why isn’t bicycling something I can do every day with my children or their grandmother?  Where are my dedicated bike facilities for pedaling to the store or to work or to dinner?  What about high-quality bikes with platform pedals, chain guards and fenders?   I want a shop in my town that sells Bikes For The Rest Of Us.  Putting together a transportation bike shouldn’t involve a Trans-Atlantic flight or bike-hacking or dredging bike tips from eccentric bike shops halfway across the country.   I just want to be able to walk into my LBS and buy a bell – a brass one – not one with Spiderman on the top that’s hanging next to the multi-colored bar-end streamers.

So will ranting in a blog bring alive my vision of transportation bicycles taking over the US?  No, but there are things everyone can do to make a difference:
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