Still being somewhat tied to the industry I keep an eye on what others are doing. For the most part, the American bike industry seems to be hopelessly mired in a game of "me too" pursuit of trying to get people to buy either impractical racing bikes or tank like "comfort" bikes. There's precious little in the way of truly interesting or practical bikes. If your idea of fun is a nice, long ride in the country and you want to stay dry and be able to pack a lunch you're probably out of luck with most companies. Ditto if you want - GASP - to use your bike rather than your car to run errands. Fortunately, a few smart product managers still exist and more importantly they were somehow able to sneak the following bikes into their lines:
1) Breezer Citizen
If Joe Breeze has his way this is the bike that will save the world. Even if it doesn't, it's great to see bikes like this. Fenders, a rack, generator lights, internal gears, and a chain case make this bike WAY more interesting than any carbon racing bike. More companies need to make bikes like this. More importantly, they need to actually MARKET bikes like this!! See it here.
2) Novara Safari
I work for the 800 pound gorilla and I know that some in the industry take glee in pointing out that REI is typically a leader rather than an innovator. This is the bike I'd like to use to smack those people upside the head. Show me one other company cranking out an off-road touring bike! In many ways this bike is the spiritual descendant of the Bridgestone XO-1 - it even has the funny handlebars! It's about as unique a bike as you'll find anywhere - the perfect bike when you REALLY want to get away from it all. If I had the time I'd love to take this bike on a week long tour of the logging roads up in BC. See it here.
3) Kona Sutra
This bike has the best of both worlds. It's a traditional steel touring bike fitted with modern disc brakes. Having experienced the terrifying combination of cantilevers, pouring rain, steep mountain pass and 40 pounds of panniers I love this bike! Discs on touring bikes make soooo much sense. Can't believe someone didn't come up with this earlier. See it here.
4) Bianchi San Jose
It's a steel, single-speed cross bike. Seriously, what more do I need to say? If you can't have fun on this bike you have no right to call yourself a cyclist. See it here.
5) Redline 925
Pretty much an off the shelf messenger bike. Fixed gear, solid steel frame, moustache bars and fenders. People will be copying this bike next year, just you wait and see! See it here.
6) Gary Fisher Rig
The single speed MTB thing is old news so GF came out with a 29" single speed. In many ways it's a BMX bike for big boys. Cheap enough to own, light enough race. It's a hard bike not to like. See it here.
7) Bianchi Castro Valley
This is the bike many people eventually end up with. You start with your basic steel touring bike. Then you add fenders because who wants to show up with a skunk stripe? They you add a dynamo hub because it's dark in the winter and you eventually realize that rechargeable batteries are a pain. The Castro Valley is perfect for longer commutes and is ready to roll right out of the box. See it here.
I'm sure there are others out there. I no some people will say "What about Surly/Soma/Rivendell/Kogswell/etc.?" Well, I'm keeping this list strictly to complete bikes and not framesets. The frameset list will come later.
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