A while back, I noted the Budnitz No. 1 is a beautiful bike but wasn’t in love with its price. Paul Budnitz must read my blog because he recently introduced the Budnitz No. 3, available in either stainless steel or black chromoly steel for about half the price of the No. 3.
The No. 3’s clean lines and beautiful simplicity reminds me of the red Schwinn cruiser I learned to ride on, though with some nice upgrades in the centerdrive belt drive, 29-inch wheels, mechanical disc brakes, and an 11-speed Alfine internal gear hub.
I think I’d feel guilty putting fenders and a rack on it, though not putting it through its paces on a forested single-track trail.