I just moved to Paris and want to buy a road bicycle. Do you know of
any good brands in Europe?
— Megan Paris, France
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Good bicycle brands in Europe? Nah, not one. You definitely want to
order a bicycle from the U.S.
Slap me with a bike pump somebody, oui. I'm only kidding. After all, I think the Europeans INVENTED
bicycling—and bicycles—and remain far more into it than
Americans. The Tour de France will still rivet that continent's attention
long after Lance Armstrong has retired and Americans have forgotten
all about it, not to mention countless other big road races we've
barely heard of. Anyway, I will make a Herculean effort to get over my
insane jealousy at your casual "I just moved to Paris" statement, and
bring you the good advice you crave.
One certain bet is to buy just about any bike made by Bianchi
(www.bianchi.com). That company's Veloce, which sells for about
$1,600 in the U.S., is the epitome of a fine, well-priced European
bicycle—aluminum frame, carbon front fork, Campagnolo
components (no Shimano allowed on a good European bike!). It's a
race-ready bike, but one that winks at you a little by incorporating a
triple chainring. Meaning, you can crank it up nearly any hill without
blowing out your knees.
Bianchi makes a full range of bikes in a full range of prices, so you're
sure to find something there. Besides, I like Italian bikes for the same
reason I like Italian wines—just the idea of them makes me
supremely happy.
There's also a little Belgian company called Eddy Merckx
(www.eddymerckx.be), founded by one of the great all-time road
racers. They're awfully serious bicycles, though. The Alu Cross is a
frame that's meant for cyclo-cross racing but suitable for all sorts of
riding—the frame sells for $1,000 in the U.S.; you probably can
find a built-up bike for about twice that.
Then, for sheer beauty, you'll never beat a Colnago bicycle (also
Italian; www.colnago.com). You pay for that beauty,
though—even its entry-level Active frame is $3,000 by the time
you hang components off it.
Anyway, here's my advice: Find a Parisian acquaintance who is
reasonably knowledgeable about bicycles, then take him or her along
as you visit three or four shops in Paris. A bike in one of those shops
will speak to you, softly, with a European accent. Buy it.
Grab a copy of Outside's April 2005 issue, on
newsstands now, for a glimpse of cycling's handcrafted, carbon-fiber,
tricked-out future in "St
ate of the Art".
Readers' Mailbag: The Gear Guy digs into some of your more bizarre, obscure (and let’s face it, downright weird) posts from years gone by to see if he can make sense of it all, or if it’s just time to run up the white flag. Previous column: Beat the Cost of Gear.
The Gear Guy reports from the 2005 Outdoor Retailer summer trade fair, with his rundown of ten products to watch in 2006, plus the inside scoop on what shook down at the bi-annual gearapalooza.
Good bicycle brands in Europe? Nah, not one. You definitely want to
order a bicycle from the U.S.
