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