Ohhhh, if you want European coolness, go test ride a Novara Fusion at
REI. I just checked it out by accident the other day, and a bit [censored]
as they said they weren't gonna stock in here in Nashville, and I
wasn't about to buy a bike I couldn't test ride (in that price range).
So I ended up getting a very cool derailleur bike, and went to REI to
get some gear--there it was. [censored]! :-P I regret my purchase just a
little as the Fusion is still 200 bucks more.
At any rate, they're a bit futuristic looking and a bit retro and have
that super cool 8spd Nexus rear, and front dynohub powered lighting
with stand light. Dual headlights which look great and promise good
lighting, and a proper tailight on the fender. The color is much more
handsome in person than on the website, kind of a retro burgundy brown.
If I'd seen it available before I bought my current ride, I'd sat on my
hands and saved up a couple hundred more, as I love Nexus hubs to
death. My current Tiagra setup shifts OK, but I'd rather just have 8
linear gears in the city than deal with two chainrings.
Might be just the thing, or might be too stately for ya, just a heads
up. Really fair price considering the hubs and accessories, around 750.
http://www.rei.com/online/store/ProductDisplay?storeId=8000&catalogId=40000008000&productId=47970934&parent_category_rn=4500775
http://tinyurl.com/8jhd5