BURLINGTON, Vt. -
No matter the season or the weather, there's never really a shortage of bicycles rolling around Burlington.
Recently some more groovy bikes have cruised into town, called Budnitz Bicycles.
"We make high-end city bikes," Paul Budnitz said. "Our bikes are comfortable and they're made to last the rest of your life and they're lightweight."
Budnitz comes from Boulder, Colo. Owner Paul Budnitz says the move to Burlington was the right one because of the growing bike culture and the great people.
"In a way Boulder has made an investment that Burlington is just starting to, investing in bicycle paths on every road," Budnitz said.
Budnitz has four design models. Parts come from places like Germany and the U.S., and each one is custom-built.
"This one has 11 speeds. These bikes use belt drives instead of chains, so you'll never get your pants dirty; there's no grease. These bikes are no maintenance," Budnitz said.
So how much exactly does a high-end bike cost? Budnitz starts at $2,600 and goes up to $8,000 for all the bells and whistles. With things like honey leather seats, cream tires, and steel and titanium frames, not only are these bikes sleek, but they're built to last a lifetime. And if someone else pedals your bike on the street, Budnitz has you covered.
"If your bike's ever stolen and you've insured it, we cover the difference between the deductible and what the insurance company owns you. So, you get another bike for free," Budnitz said.
Last year the company shipped 300 bikes around the world. It's gearing up for an even bigger year with its new Vermont location.
