Always drawn to the elegance of classic city bikes, my desire for one intensified after a trip to Copenhagen. State Bicycle Co.'s Elliston, with its timeless design and affordable price, immediately caught my eye. The sleek black frame and minimalist aesthetic promised a stylish and enjoyable ride.

I snagged one at a bargain price through a warehouse deal, paying around $310 for the bike and a rear rack. Initially, I planned to use it as a secondary bike for errands and short trips where I needed to lock up outside. However, the Elliston quickly became my go-to choice for almost everything – commuting, running errands, and even longer recreational rides.

To make the Elliston truly my own, I personalized it with a few upgrades. For a more comfortable ride, I swapped the stock handlebars for ones with more rise and replaced the seat with a Brooks leather saddle. I also upgraded the pedals and grips and tires to improve performance and aesthetics. While the original components were functional, they lacked the refined look and feel I desired.

My riding primarily consists of a 5-mile round trip commute on city streets in the Pacific Northwest. I've also enjoyed plenty of longer rides, including an 80-mile day trip. The Elliston's gear ratio is perfect for flat city riding, and the steel frame provides a comfortable and stable ride on paved roads.

Unfortunately, my experience hasn't been without its hiccups. I had to true the front wheel early on, which was a minor inconvenience. However, after about 8 months, the crank arm started to wear out, rounding out where they connect to the bottom bracket. To ensure reliability, I upgraded to a Sugino crankset and bottom bracket, which necessitated removing the chain guard – a disappointing compromise.

Shortly after, I began experiencing a recurring issue with broken spokes on the rear wheel. I've been replacing them with higher quality DT Swiss spokes as they break, I continue to break the older spokes at a rate of about one a month. This ongoing problem has been frustrating, and I've considered rebuilding the entire wheel with new spokes. For context, I weigh 180 lbs and typically carry a couple of panniers with gym clothes and food, occasionally exceeding the rack's 30 lb weight limit when carrying groceries.

Despite these setbacks, the rest of the bike has held up well. The steel frame feels durable and comfortable. The fenders effectively keep road spray at bay and accommodate the 700x38 tires I added, though they can rub if not perfectly centered. The rack and chrome fender supports have developed some surface rust from being stored outside year-round. The headset and coaster brake are still functioning as expected, though the braking power could be stronger.

Overall, I'm happy with the Elliston in its current state. It's a head-turner, and I've received numerous compliments on its classic style. I especially love the clean lines of the frame, uninterrupted by shifter cables or brake lines. However, considering the unexpected costs of upgrades and repairs, I'm not sure I would purchase this bike again. While I appreciate its stylish appearance and comfortable ride, the Elliston required more maintenance than I anticipated. If you're seeking a truly low-maintenance city bike, you might want to explore other options.

Great looking, well built bike!

Best customer service! I picked up a Black & Tan bike for neighborhood pedals and brewery rides. Such a pleasure!

While taking the Black and Tan City Bike out for it's "maiden voyage", it was eerie just how much the ride reminded me of my Dutch-made city bike. The geometry and ergonomics are so close to identical, with one's eyes closed, one might be fooled into believing they were, indeed, cruising on a European machine! I do not, however recommend riding ANY bicycle with your eyes shut, for reasons no one should have to explain.
The similarities end there, however. The State Black and Tan is a MUCH PRETTIER and less utilitarian two-wheeler than its Dutch counterpart. This is one gorgeous bike! The classic look really turns heads (and gets compliments from those more discerning, refined and aesthetically inclined, but I may be a bit biased)! Love it!!! I ring the bell and find myself transported to the busy streets of Amsterdam...:)

It does everything advertised and more. Its pretty fast

Its a lovely bike for taking a leisurely ride around town on a nice sunny day. And it still has some get up and go to go fast if I need it to!

I just love my bike from State Bicycles. I ride it about 6 times a week. Sometimes twice in one day. I use it for getting groceries, library, going to the movies. She is my companion.

Thank you, State Bicycle Co. Will be cruising the board walk. !

Third State bike I've purchased. Two for myself, one for my wife. We love them!

A few of the screws/nuts didn’t easily thread together.

One of the nuts for the back rack is completely stuck on the screw and doesn’t allow me to turn in leaving the rack to rattle during the ride. It’s completely distracting. The bike looks great, but the parts are subpar.