This is an incredible bike. The fit is perfect and I look forward to riding for many miles. I always struggle with hand pain so I did add the upgraded seat and swept back handle bars. They were both great additions that allowed me to be more upright. The color is beautiful as you can tell in the reference photo. I appreciated the customer service and quick shipping of the bike. I would highly recommend this bike and this company.
Thank you so much for sharing your feedback and photos Janet. We are thrilled you're enjoying your Franklin 8. -Ryan Zagata
After enjoying my Roebling for about 4 years now, I decided I wanted something more laid back and fun to ride. I chose the Franklin 8-speed because of the design and upright handle bars. The minute I test rode it at my local bike shop, I knew this was the one! The price point is reasonable for what you're getting, its comfortable, stylish and its quality built. I'm debating on whether I should keep my Roebling because it's also a great bike, but more for city commuting.
Thank you so much for sharing Heidi. It seems you've fallen into the N+1 trap whereby the number of bikes you need is N (the number you have) plus one more. We're honored that your +1 is a Brooklyn and we're thrilled to be with you wherever you're going. Thanks again. -Ryan Zagata
Bought this step through for the purposes of putting a child seat on the back. The reason I bought the step through was so I don't kick the kid's everyime I get on or off. In that regard, it is perfect. The 3 speed is perfectly adequate for NYC; no hill is so steep here that more speeds are necessary.
Only complaints are really nitpicks. I wish the clasps that held the brake cable were enclosed; my cable keeps coming out and rubs against the chain as I ride. Also, It would have been nice if, when purchasing, one could choose the type of handlebars come with it. I would have loved the swept back handle bars, but its too much trouble to order and bring back to the bike shop to be redone.
Customer support is excellent and the bike rides well. I would definitely recommend this bike
Thanks for sharing Andrew. We're thrilled you're enjoying your bike. As our bikes are assembled and packaged at the factory and ship directly to a third party warehouse, we are limited in our ability to offer bespoke handlebars. That being said, the handlebars are available and as you experienced, VERY easily swapped out. -Ryan Zagata
This is the first new bike I have owned in 30 years. I have always had used bikes because new ones don't last long in NYC. It is light and uncomplicated making it easy to carry up the stairs and into my destinations. Because it is stylish and classic nobody minds. Once I've had it a few years and it has garnered an urban patina then I will lock it on the streets. But not overnight. Never overnight. It's fast. The protected bike infrastructure in NYC has improved. I use it to travel much further than I ever did before. I often go weeks without using the subway. (Which continues to get worse, not to mention that one can catch a deadly disease). It is well constructed. It is dependable. I smile whenever I see it. My Bedford bike is my new friend. I highly recommend it.
Thanks so much for taking the time to share your feedback and thoughts on your new 'friend.' We hope your friend is with you for many future journeys. -Ryan Zagata
Very cool bike! My Wife loves it. I wish I would have known about the clicking sound the 3-speed internal hub makes- (it's totally normal according to Shimano, just unexpected).
Thank you for sharing. As we shared previously, the internally geared hubs are a bit chatty by design. There is a lot of engineering that goes into getting all of these gears stuffed into a rear hub. -Ryan Zagata
An electric CitiBike and I collided barely three days after I got this bike. Took me about three days to get things like the seat, brakes, gearshift, and so on back into working order—but my god, does she ride not just like brand new, but like the kind of bike I think I always imagined bikes were supposed to feel like ever since I learned how to ride. She has almost too many gears for riding around Manhattan (thus why that CitiBike and I aren’t the best of friends), but I cherish her. Absolutely delightful to ride
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. We're thrilled you got your bike back together after that crash so that it's performing as expected. -Ryan Zagata