I've read recently that Breezer was planning to put out mountain bikes once again. I've been checking their website for details and finally, lo and behold - there they are to ogle. They look fantastic - to me anyway. Fully modern hardtail with old school Breezer graphics. Smart parts pick - all XT - and really, do you need anything more? Fox fork - best out there. Frames available in steel and aluminum. I'd have a hard time deciding between the two, but would relish the opportunity should it arise. The 18.5" size looks to fit me perfectly. Please send money - small bills, unmarked. I'd really like to see one in the flesh, uh - metal, so to speak.
As you may or may not know, Joe Breeze is behind Breezer bikes. Well, used to be - he sold the company, but is still involved in some capacity. If you ride mountain bikes and don't know who Joe Breeze is, I suggest you get your ass to mountain bike history school ASAP. Call now, classes are forming. Financial aid is available to those who qualify.
The illustrious Mr. Breeze is one of the founding fathers of mountain biking - one of the folks who kick started this whole mountain bike thing - at least as we know it today. He designed and built the first actual mountain bike frame, after he and other famous cohorts (Gary Fisher, Charlie Kelly, Tom Ritchey, etc.) started thrashing around on old ballooner Schwinns. He also was involved with NORBA, the first mountain bike racing organization, and even designed the NORBA logo. Old school mountain bikers now nodding heads in approval and shedding a tear. Go ahead, no one is looking.
During the '90s and I don't remember exactly when production ceased, Breezer made some really nice mountain bikes. They looked very much like the new models - well, paint anyway. I always thought the bikes looked cool, since they retained a bit of the old Schwinn graphics - kind of a tribute to the ancient clunker bikes that started it all.
Later, Breezer focused solely on commuting and transportation bikes, with Joe himself very involved with the pushing the bikes as transportation agenda. A noble cause indeed.
Out of the zillions of bikes out there, the occasional one really catches my attention and starts the mental gymnastics of how can I afford this. The new Breezer mountain bike is on that list.
There are some bikes that just look right. The Breezer -- with its sweet paint job has always looked right to me.
ReplyDeleteThe latest is pretty sweet. It's nice to see a high qaulity production steel hardtail.
What's the difference/benefits/cons between a steel sus fork and an aluminum sus fork?
My wording may have been misleading - the frames are steel or aluminum - not the suspension fork. I just tweaked the post a bit to clarify. My posts tend to be posted on the fly with little to no editing. Basically a quick brain dump of something on my alleged mind.
ReplyDeleteYeah - it is nice to see a quality production steel hardtail out there - bit rare now. Of course there's a ton of small builders doing 'em - and well - but of course much more expensive. Seeing a (relatively) affordable steel production bike with higher end kit and Fox fork is great.
The aluminum model with same kit is really nice also. I'd have a tough time choosing one for real. That option for me doesn't exist at the moment - though I'm gonna try and track down one of these to look at.
Thanks for checking out my blog, your Spokane based blog is pretty cool - I've been checking it out.
I remember lusting after a breezer, but all of my hard earned lire had just gone to buying Super Record (the original one!) components.
ReplyDeleteAhh... the memories. MTBs were a new fangled foreign thing for us here in Italy...
Always loved Breezers back in the day. And that still does it for me... of course, it would have to be steel.
ReplyDeleteJoe is THE MAN and heavily involved in the new company. If you know Joe, you know he's not one to license his name and not have a say in design and production of anything. He's meticulous about everything, so expect the very best from these new bikes. I saw a prototype at last year's Sea Otter and it was amazing. Joe is heavily featured in my film, Klunkerz. I'd be happy to send you copy for possible review on your fine blog if you're interested.
ReplyDeleteRide on,
Billy Savage
writer/producer/director
KLUNKERZ
www.klunkerz.com
www.facebook.com/klunkerz
Billy Savage - awesome. I do own a copy of Klunkerz and wacky enough, just watched it again over the weekend. I planned to post a review of the film this weekend, but ran out of time. Will post something soon. Seeing the new Breezer bikes sparked my interest to watch the film again.
ReplyDeleteYou did a great job on the film - really well done. I've seen it a few times now, picked it up when released (two years ago?). You have any other film projects completed or in the works?
Thanks for stopping by my blog!
That is one sweet full suspension mountain bike I'm sure the ride is spectacular.
ReplyDelete@Tim - that is one sweet full suspension mountain bike. Is that a titanium or carbon fiber kickstand?.....
ReplyDelete