Redline Metro 9: The Hip Urban Commuter

Sultana Cycles is almost ready for the soft opening in just two days. The shipments came in all on the same day and we came close to drowning in cardboard, newspaper, plastic wrap, and styrofoam peanuts. However, after a busy weekend of Windex, price tags, and a lot of coffee, it's starting to look like a real shop! Aaron put together Sultana Cycles' first bike last week: The Redline Metro 9.

The Metro 9 is a 9-speed commuter bike with a double-butted 4130 cromoly steel frame and straight-leg 4130 cromoly steel fork with eyelets for easy rack installation. The Sram X-5 shifters control an X-5 rear derailleur over a wide range 11-28 cassette. The durable Alex G-200 Aero Rim wheel set is sturdy and reliable for urban commuting. Can you tell I am reading from the brochure? I am confident that someone out there is reading this who understands what a sweet bike the Metro 9 really is.

Here, Aaron adjusts the front brake on the almost-complete masterpiece. (Thankfully I arrived with a clean t-shirt for my husband, who managed to spray green gook all over the bike shop trying to get Flat Attack through the Presta valves -- a messy but useful task in Arizona, where even the most unassuming plants will stick you, and your tubes.)

I took it for a spin around the parking garage and was ready to ride off into the sunset. The bike MOVES -- super smooth and with almost no effort. Aaron and I both added it to our wish list.

This particular Metro 9 only stayed with us a short time before we made our first bicycle sale -- Jim Ledbetter of The Ledbetter Law Firm in Cottonwood (aka My Boss) made the first purchase of a Redline Metro 9 three days before the doors opened!

Naturally, Jim's son Grant was on hand to make fun of his dad on his new bicycle. "That's a road bike," he says, a very distinct and recognizable my-dad-is-a-geek look on his face. "No," Jim retorts, "it's a hip urban commuter bike." (I think he may have stuck his tongue out at Grant and wiggled his hands by his ears too.)

And the crowd of attorneys and legal staff murmured in agreement, as Jim was clearly the picture of hipness. And this bike was clearly suited for someone in a pin-stripe suit with alligator wingtips in the toe clips. Plus, it's a chic shade of conservative navy blue with just a hint of sparkle and the fenders will ensure that Jim never arrives to work with road-spray on his back.