Greasing the “New” Uptown 8 Chain??

I’m FINALLY retiring my ‘72 Schwinn Suburban 5 speed (having completely worn out sprockets & chain) & so am in the market for a replacement commuter bike.

After reading LOTS of web reviews (MANY thanks to the 6-Miler) I put my money down & ordered an Uptown Classic yesterday, only to learn today that they’re no longer available from Breezer

I’m sold on the 8th gear & hub-driven lights, & like the idea of the Senso auto switch, therefore prefer the Uptown to the Villager BUT AM CONCERNED about dis-ease of lubing the chain with a full chaincase rather than the chain guard that leaves the chain partially exposed.

The sales literature mentions an “access panel” in the new chaincase. Can anyone tell me how accessible the chain is?? Am I going to regret the upgrade from a Villager everytime I need to grease the chain??

Many thanks for your insights!!
Teri

Here’s Joe Breeze’s answer:

“As you know, the big plus of the chaincase is reduced maintenance. Yes, it protects clothing from the chain much better than a chainguard, but a clean chain was what I was looking forward to most. The chain on the Classic Uptown8 still gets grimy.

I’ve seen hammered bikes from the 1950s with chains that have been sequestered away in chaincases. They are like new! I don’t think anyone ever found the “access panel.”

But the Breezer chaincase does have an access panel, and it’s relatively convenient to remove. This rear-quarter panel can removed by removing just two screws.”

MORE ON THE BREEZER UPTOWN 8

… all the internal hub bikes I have tested seem too upright after that lightweight speedster, and i have developed an affinity for madly dashing about for adrenalin and time reasons. You mention that you set a pretty leisurely pace, but I’d be interested to hear your impressions when riding your Breezer vs. your other bikes with a more aero position.

Anyway, the Breezer is definitely at the top of my list. My biggest issue with the Breezer, though, is the v brakes. Disc brakes seem like such an improvement, or even hub brakes like the REI competition has, that i’m puzzled why Joe went with rim brakes. Do you have any insight on this issue, or comments on why you like/dislike the brakes?

Nathan, thanks a lot for the great questions.

You correctly infer that I am no speed demon — my major goal on most rides, in fact, is to avoid sweating.

That being said, I do ride a Bridgestone XO-1 with mustache bars, and have ridden a nice 12-speed with drop bars. Both provide a more aerodynamic riding position, and I do notice a distinct difference on the Breezer, mostly on (ahem) breezy days — it’s tough to “get below” the wind, and I usually just get into first gear and spin.

One might be able to get a flatter position on an Uptown 8 by putting bar-ends on the flat part of the bars near the stem. I haven’t tried this, but I have considered it. Breezer did this on their new $2,000 bike, the Finesse.

The Breezer is designed for a certain type of cycling that fits with the upright position — getting-from-here-to-there riding, as opposed to the speed/fitness/special shoes/screen-printed jersey riding. Asking the Uptown 8 to perform as a go-fast bike would be a little like saddling up a draft horse to round up cattle.

On to your second question: I like the V-brakes just fine, although the original pads seemed to wear out pretty fast for me. Disc brakes have always seemed to me like needless complication — more moving parts, more opportunity for things to go wrong, special wheels required. I have never used them, but I have read favorable reviews and have no reason to disbelieve them.

I don’t know why Joe went with the V-brakes, but I suspect it was one of those cost-benefit issues that come up whenever he specs a bike. (The Finesse , on which price is far less of a concern, has disc brakes.)

This might sound too short and sweet, but the truth is, the V-brakes do what I need them to do (and I have ridden with them in all weather),  so I give them thumbs-up.

I have forwarded the V-brakes question to Joe, and I will publish his response if he chooses to answer.

I ride on a bike path that is not well-illuminated. In the winter, it gets dark early. Will the hub generator of the Uptown 8 cut it? Also, I am looking at the Novara Fusion. You mentioned Joe Breeze gave a point-by-point comparison. Could you post that or pass that on privately? What about the “hub brakes” on the Fusion. Do you think they are superior to the V-brakes of the Breezer Uptown 8?

Brian, thanks again for the questions. Breezer founder/owner Joe Breeze himself and I answered the question about the lights in an earlier post. The answer about the Fusion is a little more involved. Brian is referring to this post: I considered the Fusion before buying the Breezer Uptown 8, and e-mailed Breezer to ask for a comparison. Joe himself sent a specific reply.

I asked Joe whether it would be OK to publish his reply here, and he gave permission. Major caveat: Joe wrote this in December 2005 — the specs of the Fusion might have changed since then. From what I have seen online, they haven’t changed all that much. (It’s also worth mentioning that I have repeatedly e-mailed REI, over several weeks, trying to get specific specs for the Fusion, and they have not been forthcoming.)

I left out the last paragraph, which included prices that have changed. (These days, the Breezer Uptown 8 goes for somewhere around $960; the Fusion, for $749.)

Joe Breeze compares the Uptown 8 and the Fusion

Here is Joe’s response, from 5:24 p.m. on Christmas Eve, 2005:

Hi Todd,

I looked at the Fusion [right] a month or so ago. This is what I recall:

Breezer Uptown 8 ride (same frame as all our Town bikes): With medium-diameter aluminum tubing, 1.5-inch tires and Ø1-inch steering tube and tapered curved-blade forks, the ride is compliant, yet plenty stiff for a good sprint. The ride is important to me–I ride one.
Fusion: Deep draw seat tube and down tube, 1-3/8-inch tires and Ø1-1/8-inch steering tube with straight-blade fork. (I was considering leaving out further comment here, not being keen on a harsh critique, but on the other hand it’s important to let you know. Todd, all my experience points to this being a dreadful design, one that would most surely give a harsh ride.)

Breezer, Shimano Premium Nexus 8 hub (signified by red line around rear hub
shell): The Premium hub is 10 ounces lighter. It also has low-friction bearings in it.
Fusion, Shimano Standard Nexus 8 hub.

Breezer has Standlight feature, so lights stay lit when you stop at a signal. No batteries to fuss with or throw away. And there is the Senso safety feature, so the lights come on automatically at dusk or whenever it is darker (dark clouds, underpasses, etc.)
Fusion: Requires batteries for that feature.

Breezer tail light: Protected by the rack Fusion tail light: Exposed. Also, attach a BOB trailer and after one harsh road transition the light might get scraped off.

Breezer, chainguard: The real deal
Fusion: Chainring guard only

Breezer, gearing: Plenty of room to customize gearing useful to most people.
Fusion, gearing: The 46×21 gearing leaves little room for a lower gear (23T is the biggest cog available).

Breezer, rear carrier: 14-inches long makes it a real useful rack. Includes spring clip.
Fusion, rear carrier: 12-inches

Breezer comes with a lock that can be very convenient for quick stops at stores, etc. For higher security situations, it means one less lock to hassle with.

The Fusion was shown at $749, and our Uptown8 MSRP is $909. I won’t disregard that $160 difference, but if $909 is beyond your budget, the Villager at $769 would get you a much better bike.

Best wishes,

Joe Breeze

I ride on a bike path that is not well-illuminated. In the winter, it gets dark early. Will the hib generator of the Uptown 8 cut it? Also, I am looking at the Novarra Fusion. You mentioned Joe Breeze gave a point-by-point comparison. Could you post that or pass that on privately? What about the “hub brakes” on the Fusion. Do you think they are superior to the V-brakes of the Breezer Uptown 8?

To take these one at a time: The Uptown 8’s light is more of a be seen light than a seeing light, in my opinion, if you’re going fast. At the speeds I ride (English country gentleman), it does just fine, and I ride home at midnight.

I asked Joe Breeze, owner/founder of Breezer Bicycles, for an answer to the question, and here’s what he said:

“I ride a Villager with the stock B&M Oval Plus with Halogen bulb. I’m fine with the lighting in unlit areas for speeds up to 20mph on pavement. Beyond that, I’m on my toes. New Breezer Uptowns have LED headlights which offers more visibility if not more lumens.”

I have the older-style Breezer Uptown, so I can’t say how well the new light does. If it’s brighter than the old one, I would feel pretty good at trusting it on a bike path at moderate to low speed.
I will pass along Joe’s info on the Novara comparison in a future post.

Please let me know if you know of a bike that could be included but isn’t.

I have been using this bag on my daily commute for a little more than a year. (What’s a pannier?)

PRICE: $85 plus shipping from Breezer, also available here.

DESCRIPTION: Made of Dupont Cordura fabric, the Year-Rounder sports the Breezer logo on the flap.

The bag features a strap-handle on top for carrying off the bike; a roomy roll-top, waterproof liner; a zippered compartment in the flap; and a pouch on the outside.

Capacity is 1390 cubic inches. There is a reflective strap on the side. There are two plastic eyelets for attaching a shoulder strap.

MOUNTING SYSTEM: The bag attaches to the bike’s rear rack this way: Two rubber-covered metal hooks fit over the top of the rack, and an S-clip on the end of a strap fits onto the bottom of the rack.

A cam-lock pulls the strap tight and cinches the S-clip into place, thereby holding the bag against the side of the rack.

The system looks like it would work on any rear rack.

PROS: There is a lot to like here.

• I have ridden with the bag in heavy rain, sleet and snow (I don’t think I’ve done hail yet!), and it has proved to be waterproof.
• The zippered compartment in the flap is plenty big enough for a tool kit, and the exterior pocket is a great place to carry a bike lock.
• It’s easy to get the bag on and off the bike. All it takes is loosening or tightening the cam lock.
• The mounting system allows for mounting the bag at the back of the rack, so your heels won’t hit the bag while you pedal. (I wear size 9 1/2 shoes, and there is plenty of clearance.)
• The bag looks nice on the bike. Its color scheme and logo integrate well with the Uptown 8’s classy look.
• You can fit A LOT in there. On a recent ride I carried two bottles of wine, a stuff sack with hats and shoe covers in it, a portfolio, and a binder for business-size checks. Here’s a picture of the load. I frequently carry a lunch, all my raingear and a lock, and there is plenty of room to spare.
• Durability. So far I don’t think I’ve made a mark on it.

CONS: If there has to be one, I’ll say price. It’s more pricey than some, less pricey than others.

Maybe you are paying a little extra for the logo on the flap.

But the price is not far if at all out of line with the market for a good pannier, and there is no question you are getting what you pay for.

VERDICT: Very, very highly recommended for daily commuting.

OTHERS’ REVIEWS: I haven’t found any. If you know of one, let me know and I will link to it.

POSTCRIPT – RIDING WITH ONE PANNIER: I have found that I need only one pannier for my daily needs — the Year Rounder’s capacity is actually more than I need.

I have loaded this pannier heavily and have barely noticed the unbalanced load.

Please note that I am not charging up and down mountains, and I am not cornering fast — I’m riding more like an English country gentleman.

You might hear something else from someone else, but for me, a load on only one side is not a problem.

So it’s worth knowing the differences between the two.

I have the older-model Uptown 8 (right). I heartily recommend it. But there are significant improvements in the newer model.

Your local Breezer dealer might have the older model in stock. They could order the newer one for you, but they might be willing to sell the one they have on hand for a bit less in the interest of moving inventory.

You never know until you ask. (How much? Prices I’m finding online range from $900 to $1,100. Is that too much to pay for good transportation? I don’t think so.)

The Uptown 8 came out in 2004. Its parts specifications remained unchanged until 2007, when the bike got four improvements.

The Uptown 8 will be unchanged in 2008, company owner Joe Breeze told me in a recent Q&A.

Here is an overview of the differences between the older and newer models:

TIRES: The older Uptown 8 has CST Europa 26 x 1.6 tires. The 2007 version has Schwalbe CityPlus 26 x 1.75 tires. Both tires have a reflective white strip on the sides.
ANALYSIS: Breeze says he likes the Schwalbe better because it has a flat-fighting puncture guard layer. My Uptown 8 has the Europas, and I have not had a flat in a year of frequent riding on a 6-mile daily commute.

GRIPS: The older Uptown 8 has fairly plain-Jane Kraton rubber grips. The newer model has BioLogic ergonomic grips (right).
ANALYSIS: The BioLogic grips are flared and contoured. “Your palms rest on a broader, softer surface,” Breeze says. The BioLogics look comfortable, but I have no complaints with the Kratons.

HEADLIGHT: The older Uptown 8 has a lightbulb in its Lumotec Oval Senso Plus headlight (left). The new model has the DLumotec Oval Senso Plus (right), which uses an LED light.
ANALYSIS: The manufacturer says the LED won’t burn out. In fact, you can’t even open the lens cover on the new light. The older model’s lightbulb can burn out. (The manual for the new light is here; the manual for the old light is here. You can look for both lights on the manufacturer’s site, but there’s no direct link; click on “catalog” in the menu on the left-hand side and look for the name of each light.) I favor the LED because it’s simpler. The manufacturer says the lightbulb version puts out more light: 17 lux, compared with 16 lux for the LED version.

CHAINCASE: The older Uptown 8 has a partial chaincase, but the newer version has a full chaincase.
ANALYSIS: The full chaincase is a great feature because it protects the chain from water and grime, and it lessens the chance that the chain will rub against your clothes (although the partial chaincase also does a good job of this). Because my Uptown 8 does not have the full chaincase, I asked the company whether I could install one; here’s the verdict.

[[Find more about the Breezer Uptown 8, including a ride report and more about the bike's features and benefits.]]

Most bike reviews I have seen are written after a single test ride, or after a few rides shortly after the purchase. These are my impressions based on riding the bike several times a week for more than a year:

While standing over the top tube, ready to push off and pedal, the first thing I notice is the position of the handlebars. They bend toward me at a natural angle, easing my wrists into a comfortable position as I put my hands on the handgrips.

The bell sits within reach of my left thumb, and I get to the twist-shifter for the 8-speed internal hub by moving my right hand a couple of inches.

I start pedaling. As I roll the shifter toward me (like a motorcycle throttle) to upshift, it clicks. That’s the only noise from shifting — the 8-speed hub does the rest of the work without a sound. The only noise the bike makes is the light whir of tires on pavement.

There’s nothing to notice about the seat, and that’s good — it gives where it needs to and supports where it needs to.

I can lean forward a bit and reach down, with a quick downward glance, to turn on the switch on my headlight while pedaling. The V-brakes over the months have gotten a bit mushy, and they could use an adjustment, but they do what I need them to do. I can shift into a lower gear while stopped — a particularly nice feature of the internal hub.

Because of the upsloping top tube and the sweep of the handlebars, I maintain a comfortable upright position. There is very little weight on my hands. It’s not aerodynamic, but I’m not racing and I’m not worried about speed; in the wind, or while going uphill, I downshift until it’s easy to pedal. My elbows are slightly bent. It’s easy to keep my head on a swivel to survey the traffic around me.

The position is so good, in fact, that it’s almost possible to forget I’m on a bike. I’ll find myself thinking about something else, then coming back with pleasure to the realization that I am still riding.

It is the feeling you can get only on a bike that is dialed in for you, in a good marriage of utility and design. (Just as with any bike, it takes some adjusting of the seat and stem height to get the Breezer set up just right. The bike comes in four sizes; get the biggest one you can straddle comfortably — in other words, the biggest one you can stand over without hurting yourself, if you take my meaning. When you get the biggest size that you can comfortably stand over, you won’t have to raise the seat or the stem much to get a good riding position.)

The tires and suspension seatpost eat up the bumps, allowing for a smooth ride. The bike is not exactly agile around corners, but it’s not clumsy, either. It’s not “racy.” It’s steady, predictable, but still … fun.

In a comment on one of my earlier posts, Joe M. of Los Alamos, N.M., put it this way:

I don’t know a good way to describe this, but the Breezer is just plain fun to ride. Simple-intuitive, and it really brings back the thrill when I was 9 years old on my banana-seat Schwinn.

In short, this is a great city ride — perfect for keeping your head up in traffic, nice for an unhurried pace (although it’s gone as fast as I’ve needed it to), and ideal for taking the turbulence out of a bad piece of pavement.

This was a subject of a post yesterday. (Here is the full archive of Uptown 8 posts so far.)

Breeze sent me an e-mail after I asked for permission to publish the message in yesterday’s post. I continue to be impressed by Breeze’s responsiveness to his customers. Here’s what he told me:

I actually was able to shoe-horn a chaincase onto an earlier Breezer (and it already had a bracket hole on the inboard side of the chainstay), but I wouldn’t wish this exercise on anyone. It took all day and results were marginal.

The NEW Uptown8 frame (first available in 2007) is designed specifically for the chaincase. The rear dropouts are such that the axle is on center with the chainstay. The inboard side of the chainstay also has an attachment point for the rear of the chaincase. Early frames had the axle about 15mm lower than the chainstay. Some even had the bracket hole.

In fact, all 2007 Breezer Town (Uptown 8, Villager, Citizen, Freedom) frames have the in-line type of dropouts and bracket hole on the inboard side of the chainstay near the right rear dropout.

I hope that helps.

So I’m sure this after-market modification can be done, but somebody else is going to have to do it. I have enough projects going, plus I’m not a great wrench. Competent, but not great. If it took Joe Breeze all day, it would take me at least twice that long, and I’m pretty sure my results would be far more marginal than his.

If anybody HAS attempted this maneuver, please drop me a note and describe the experience — I’ll be happy to pass it along.

Not to beat this subject even further into the ground, but my next question to Breezer on this subject would be: If somebody does want to try this, how do they get the chaincase, and how much would it cost? If/when I find out, I will let you know.

The bottom line: If you want a full chaincase on an Uptown 8, I’d advise taking the path of least resistance and making sure you get the newer model.

Then again: I heartily advise that the lack of this nice part is no reason to rule out the older model, because the partial chainguard works great as well.

(Incidentally, this whole subject reminds me of Alex Wetmore’s interesting do-it-yourself chaincase story, involving a Trek 400 and a Pashley chaincase.)

[[Find more about the Breezer Uptown 8, including a ride report and more about the bike's features and benefits.]]

Breezer started putting the full chaincase on this year’s models, and I had hoped to get one for mine. (The picture of the full chaincase, left, is from Breezer’s Web site; the picture on the right is my bike.)

Here’s the news straight from the company:

Hello,

Thank you for checking in with us and for riding a Breezer. However,
I’m sorry to inform you that your Uptown does not accommodate the new
chain case. The new models with the chain case have special attachment
points built onto the frame for the chain case that your bike is
missing. So as I have done before, the best I can do is suggest that if
you really want a chain case you find a friend or family member who you
can gift your current Breezer to before buying a new one . This has
actually been done before.

Thanks again for checking in,

Mitch @ Breezer

Too bad! Hmm. I guess I could try drilling the holes myself …

[[Find more information about the Breezer Uptown 8, including a ride report and more about the bike's features and benefits.]]