Town Bikes

I stopped by a bike store the other day and noticed the new city, or town, bikes that are all the rage now. They had front shocks, massive aluminum frames, seat posts with shock absorbers, 24 or 27 speeds. They weigh over 30 pounds. Who needs all that stuff? Most towns and cities are built in flat locations. One gear will do. Even pot-holed streets will seem smooth on wide, but good quality, tires. We so soon seem to forget the lessons of the past. Look at these two bikes I photographed in a little town in Europe. They are light, inexpensive, and practical. They are what town bikes should be.