Trek, With a Twist of Lime
by Warren McLaren, Sydney 
on 04. 2.07
When we first noted the Trek Lime auto transmission city bike it had not yet been unleashed in the wild. It is now and has it own dedicated website with attendant flash style graphics! His and Hers frames available in six colours each. And we’d failed to observe earlier that the seat (saddle, if you wish) flips up to reveal a mini trunk-like pocket for storing goodies. Add-on extras include chrome fenders, a bell and bike computer. That rear hub, which shifts the three gears automatically, is electronically driven, with its power coming from a generator on the front hub. We love the idea of a return to pedal brakes. Oh, weren’t those the days! And a gearing system that drops back to First, when coming to stop, like at traffic lights. Bliss. Click around the site and you’ll get the opportunity to hear a podcast with Hans Eckholm, Trek's senior industrial designer, discussing the Lime project. The $500 to $580 USD you’ll have to find for yourself. ::Trek Lime.
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With bikes being such a healthy alternative (for humans and the environment), why do they always have vinyl seats? Anybody know of an alternative? I know there are leather seats (not a great choice), but surely someone has addressed a better alternative somewhere.
Trek bikes look great... but if you are shorter than 5'5" forget about finding one with a comfortable ride. They position their pedals in a way that promotes upright riding on their "hybrid" and commuter bikes (like the Portland)... that's fine for someone that has longer legs... but if you are shorter it feels like you are pedaling from behind the seat. It takes a long time to get use to in my opinion.