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Long Term Test: Breezer Finesse – The Alfine 8 Speed Super Commuter

Breezer Finess Full Bike
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Breezer Finess Full Bike

Four years ago I sold my car and moved to Portland with two bicycles.  I haven’t owned a car since, which means I use a bike and public transit to get anywhere and everywhere.  The bike collection has grown to four, plus any test bikes I have at the time, but still no car.  However, my personal stable consists of drop bar road bikes (and one cyclocross bike).  So, when offered up the chance to test out a flat bar commuter bike from Breezer I was excited to have something a bit different to ride.

I have had the Breezer Finesse since June, 2011.  This has provided ample opportunity to ride the bike in all sorts of different conditions.  I have ridden fully loaded, long distances, and short commutes.  Click through for the full review.

Breezer Finesse Rear Hub

As mentioned, the Finesse is a flat bar commuter oriented bike, and it runs a full Shimano Alfine 8 speed drive train.  The Finesse is part of Breezer’s Range series of bikes, and for 2011, it was slotted in at the top spot, costing $1799. The fame is made from Breezer’s D’Fusion hydroformed aluminum, and it comes in three sizes, S (48cm), M (52cm), L (56cm), XL (60cm). Up front is a Breezer designed carbon fiber fork, Alfine hydraulic brakes provide the stopping power, and an Alfine wheelset with front generator hub wrapped in Schwalbe Marathon 32c rubber keeps things rolling.  The generator hub runs a B&M Lumotec IQ Fly LED headlight, as well as a B&M DToplight Plus LED taillight.  The cockpit is comprised of a Breezer aluminum bar and adjustable stem, as well as a Breezer (made by Velo?) saddle perched a top a Ritchey Pro carbon seat post.  Mounted to the bars are a set of bar ends, but oddly, they are set up for an “aero” position, being placed in the center of the bar.  More on this in a bit.  And while the Finesse normally comes with the Breezer Truss Sport Rack mounted to the canti studs, mine was built using the newer Breezer tubular aluminum full rack specced on 2012 Breezer line.  For the full list of specifications, head to the end of the post.  The complete build comes in just shy of 30 lbs.  While that is 11 pounds more than my heaviest bike, it’s right on par with pretty much anything in this class.  All in all, it’s a very solid build, and there is little I would change.

Breezer Finess Hydroformed Top Tube

I was shipped a size large, and at 6’2 with a 33” inseam, it fits well.  Riding the Finesse took some getting used to for me.  By design, the rider is positioned very upright.  Until it showed up, my primary commuter was my single speed road bike.  Going form a fast, quick handling, drop bar road bike, to this was a big change.  At first, the Finesse felt large and cumbersome.  It’s a lot like driving a small sports car, vs large SUV.  However, the more I road the bike, the more I got used to it, and the more I liked it.  It’s comfortable, stable, and once up to speed, it just keeps rolling.  Dodging pot holes is a thing of the past, as the wheels are super solid, and with bigger tires, the impact isn’t nearly as bad.  The aluminum frame is fairly stiff, and under heavy efforts frame flex was never an issue.

Breezer Finesse Shimano Alfine Trigger Shifting

The drive train has performed very well, and I love how low maintenance the internally geared Alfine 8 speed system is.  After a couple hundred miles on the bike, I had to adjust the shifting a bit due to cable stretch.  However, that is to be expected on any bike during the initial break in period.  Otherwise, shifting happens very smoothly.  I love the ability to shift when not pedaling.  It’s a lot like depressing the clutch in a car and hitting first gear while rolling up to a stoplight.  One thing of note is that the trigger shifter on the Alfine system is setup backwards, with the top paddle being the negative shift.  It took take a few rides to get accustom to.  Besides that, the only issue I had with the Alfine set up is that there is a noticeably large gap when going from the 4th to 5th gear.  This is due to the fact that it is changing to a different planetary gear set.  It’s not a deal breaker by any means, and after riding the set up for the past few months, I really like it.  The gearing is adequate for any terrain I have encountered, but this is not a climber.  If you ride anywhere with big hills, look elsewhere.

Breezer Finesse Front Hub

When riding, it was nice to have the carbon fork up front, and the Ritchey Pro aluminum, carbon wrapped post under me.  They worked well to kill road buzz.  The carbon fork is very stout and had no flex issues that negatively impact handling.  It was always stable and predictable at speed.  That said, I would prefer the addition of rack mounts up front.  The fork felt beefy enough to handle light loads.  For 2012, Breezer’s Range line of bikes are running a metal fork with rack eyelets on it.

Breezer Finesse Panier Loaded with Beer

Speaking of racks, the full rack on the rear of the bike is very useful.  I take this bike to the grocery store every couple of weeks and ride home with the rear fully loaded.  I have had no heal strike on the panniers, and the bike remains stable with the added weight.

Breezer Finesse Handlebars

Breezer Finess Handlebars front view

I do have two nits to pick with this bike.  The first is with the “aero” bar ends in the center of the handle bar.  I just don’t get it.  I understand that additional hand positions can be nice, but in practice, this set up is not comfortable.  When using the bar ends, the bike feels a bit less stable.  Plus, I couldn’t grab them without getting a handful of cables along with the bar.  Thankfully, the 2012 Breezer bicycles are absent of the odd handlebar set up.

Second, rear flats are a major pain to change.  Changing a flat is annoying in of itself.  When you add in the Alfine internally geared hub, it becomes more so.  Make sure to carry a wrench for the axle nuts with you as there is not a quick release.  Also, you must release the shift cable from the hub which requires a 2mm allen key (or spare spoke), and a pair of needle nose pliers.  I only had two flats over the past 7 months however, as the Schwalbe Marathon tires are pretty puncture resistance.

Note: the bike was normally specced with Vittoria rubber, but mine showed up with Schwalbe tires.

Breezer Finesse Shimano Alfine Brake Caliper

There are two things about this bike that I absolutely love.  The first being the Alfine hydraulic disc brakes.  I ride rain or shine, and here in Portland, it seems to be more of the rain than less of the shine.  These brakes stop the bike equally as well, no matter the conditions, and they have required no maintenance the entire time I have had the bike.  After riding these, I never want another commuter bike with rim brakes again.  SRAM, you have those hydraulic road levers ready yet?

Breezer Finesse Front Light

The other thing I love about the Finesse are the permanently attached B & M lights.  I ride a lot at night, and never having to make sure I have a light packed in my bag, or take them off when I get to my destination is so very nice.  I can literally just hop on the bike and go.  Plus, they never have to be charged up thanks to the generator hub.  The output of the headlight isn’t going to blow you away, but it is good enough to be seen with, and on really dark roads, it puts out enough light to get you home again.

Breezer Finesse Rear Light

At first, it was hard to get excited about the Finesse.  Having a stable of light, nimble road bikes to choose from, the Finesse isn’t always my go to bike.  That being said, it definitely has it’s place in the bunch, and I am not looking forward to giving it up.  It is a very comfortable, easy to ride commuter bike.  It does exactly what it was designed to do, and it does it very well.  It’s a lot like driving a sporty car on a daily basis, but owning a SUV or truck for when you need to haul something.  You are always glad it’s around when you need it.

Breezer Finesse Alfine Shifter Top View

I also realize that the average Joe doesn’t have a collection of bicycles hanging around the house.  Should you be looking for that do all bike that will get you to work, be at home on a family bike ride, and still be fast enough for a nice fitness ride, the Finesse fits the bill.

Note:  Breezer has dropped the Finess from their 2012 Range lineup.  It appears to have been replaced by the Liberty.  The Liberty runs the same frame, but opts for an aluminum fork with chromoly steerer, and an Acera / Deore mixed drive train. It comes in at a very reasonable $1089.99.  If you are interested in an internally geared bike, I suggest browsing Breezer’s Town Bike offerings.  I was informed that the Finesse will be available in 2012 again, but hasn’t been added back to the new Breezer website yet.

Specifications:

Model FINESSE
Sizes Step-Over: S (48cm), M (52cm), L (56cm), XL (60cm)
Color(s) Midnight Blue, Pearl White
Main frame Breezer D’Fusion hydroformed aluminum, integrated head tube, dual water bottle mounts, Breezer Eccentric bottom bracket
Rear triangle Breezer D’Fusion aluminum, Breeze-In dropouts
Fork Breezer Carbon Fiber, chromoly steerer
Crankset Shimano Alfine FC-S500 w/ 39T chainwheel
Bottom bracket Shimano Exterior Bearing System
Pedals NA
Front derailleur NA
Rear derailleur NA
Shifters Shimano Alfine SL-S500 Rapid Fire 8-speed
Cassette Shimano, 18T
Chain Shimano HG50
Wheelset Shimano Alfine DH-S501 QR Dynamo Front/Alfine  S501 Rear, 24H Centerlock Hubs, Shimano Rims
Tires Vittoria Randonneur Hyper 700 X 32C folding w reflex sidewall
Brake set Shimano Alfine hydraulic
Brake levers Shimano Alfine hydraulic
Headset VP-A46ACk
Handlebar Breezer Aluminum, 25.4, 26mm rise, 590mm wide, 33° sweep
Stem Breezer Aluminum, 25.4, 7° FlipFlop, Ahead Style
Tape/grip Breezer Ergonomic Kraton Rubber
Saddle Breezer Performance Saddle
Seat post Ritchey Pro carbon 350mm
Fenders Polycarbonate, 41mm, Stainless Fittings, Integrated Lighting Conductors
Headlight B&M Lumotec IQ Fly,  Standlight, Auto Sensor, w/ Switch
Taillight B&M DToplight Plus, Standlight
Rear Carrier Breezer Truss Sport Rack with 14-inch Bed
Other Kickstand, Bell
Weight, lbs 28.5 lbs

 

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11 Comments
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John
John
12 years ago

I don’t know why he needed anything other than a 15mm box wrench to remove the rear wheel. I have been riding an Alfine Rear wheel for over a year, changed a dozen flats, and never needed pliers. The bolt on rear wheel makes it hassle free to lock up also.

APEX
12 years ago

Tyler, John speaks some truth. Meet me for a beer and I’ll show you the sub 10 second method to remove the shift cable from an Alfine with no tools. I’ll even buy you the beer.

APEX
12 years ago

I meant Nick, not Tyler. The offer still sands.

Cheers,

a
a
12 years ago

It looks like a nice bike, but I’m thinking that a “super commuter” would need to include a belt drive, for lower maintenance, rust avoidance, and non-greasy pant legs. The Novara Gotham may turn out to be that bike.

NCjazzman
NCjazzman
11 years ago

Changing the rear is no big deal, you just need a 15mm tool. For the cable free up some slack, rotate, then pull up. This bike is awesome. I bought mine last week. Agree with the light comments. Oh, I like the aero bars. The one dislike is the mini rear rack. Have already replaced it with a full rack. Note: my bike was a demo so it’s either a 2010 or 2011.

Marc Vendetti
Marc Vendetti
11 years ago

I like this bike so much I bought another one after my first one was stolen. For a bike like this, I like the Performance “Campus” pedals that have both a cleated side and a rat-trap side. The aero bars are nice when you want to make some time or against a head wind. I changed my shifter out to a twist as I ride a MTB a lot and it was confusing. My latest Finesse came with both racks. I agree with Nick that this could be someone’s only bike as it is so versatile…have a fun ride on the way to work, or tow a trailer, it can do it all. Is a belt drive with the new Alfine 11-speed in the future? Thanks Joe!

aphid
aphid
11 years ago

I’ve been rocking my Breezer Finesse here in the Nation’s Capital since April 2009, and I’m still quite happy with my purchase! I had to go through a couple of LBS hassles to get one to try out. I own just this one bike, and it’s true that it compromises in many different areas. It’s also true, as many comments at other reviews have said, that one might be able to build something similar for less. But–at least for me–it represents a wonderful balance of efficiency, comfort, and utility. It’s a pleasure to ride such a well-integrated machine. As Nick wrote, I can just get on and go. Integrated, generator-powered lighting for worry-free travel in the dark? Check! The most comfortable seat of any bike I’ve ever tried? Check! Silent propulsion? Check! Stable ride? Check! Amazingly consistent and near maintenance-free brake system? Check!

planetmike
planetmike
11 years ago

I have a Breezer Uptown 8 with similar specs and have two comments;

– The tail light uses a fender with an integrated conductor. These failed over time and I had to bypass this with my own wiring.

– Schwalbe’s make some of the best commuter tires I have owned. I have NEVER had a flat on these. When I see the tread wear down, I change them. Don’t wait for a flat. The key here is these tires are made with a barrier between the tread and the tube, which makes them less prone to simple punctures. Also, I recommend to everyone to over-inflate their tires by 5psi. For example, if your tire says 65psi max, then inflate to 70psi, and do this weekly. It may be counter-intuitive but a harder tire has less chance of getting a flat.

Mr mark
Mr mark
11 years ago

This bike sucks. I bought mine in March. The bottom bracket keeps moving around. It’s been to the shop 4 times. Breezer will not admit it is defective. They request the shop to adjust each time. Yesterday I had a total failure and a bad crash. Stay away from Breezer’s internal hub and adjustable bb!

harry krishna
harry krishna
10 years ago

does anyone know a source of replacement fenders? the integrated conductor has worked well for me.

Convert
Convert
8 years ago

I bought my bicycle Breezer “finesse” 3 years ago, It is stored in my garage in Houston, Texas.

All the spokes of the front and rear wheels are rusted and also the support for the fenders.

About the same time I bought a REI bicycle and this bicycle stored in the same conditions does not have any rust.

I am a little surprise.

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