Yglesias notes that bikes in the U.S. tend to be racing or mountain rather than aimed at the urban commuter. He links to Seth Stevenson who lists specific features of urban bikes:
1) Upright posture. You sit with your back perpendicular to the ground instead of hunched forward over the handlebars. It’s a far more comfortable and relaxed position. Because your head is up high, it’s easier to see over car roofs in traffic. It’s also easier for the cars to see you.
2) Fenders. These semicircular arcs hover just above the tops of the bike’s tires. They prevent any up-splash when you ride through puddles and also lend the bike a rather dignified appearance.
3) Fully covered chains. Greasy metal links are hidden far out of sight, behind a chain case, meaning you can ride to work in a suit without schmutzing your trouser cuffs.
I do enjoy my mountain bike. It’s been a while since I last rode it, but I’m thinking of getting back in the habit. The shock absorbers are useful and even in suburbia they come in handy regularly. That said, a fully covered chain could do wonders for me. I know I’ve ruined at least one pair of pants by biking. I do have velcro pant restraints but would prefer a more bike based solution. That said, I do wonder how much harder that makes maintenance. I do know how to get the chain back on the gears in the field and have done so on a good number of occasions.
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