Classy and classic

Raleigh Coasting: Reinvention of an old-fashioned steel English three-speed.

Likes: Fastest bike reviewed here due to 700-centimeter road-bike wheels (several inches taller than the 26-inch mountain-bike-size wheels of the other bikes tested). The Shimano Coasting three-speed electronic drivetrain (also used on Giant and Trek bikes here) shifts automatically into higher gears when a monitor on the front wheel detects speeds of around 7 and 11 miles per hour. It includes coaster rear brakes (backpedal to stop) and stylish hub caps on the wheels. The bike has classy, retro styling.

Dislikes: No front-wheel brake. The bars are too low for long, out-of-the-saddle climbing. For all the Coasting bikes, in general, the coaster brake and automatic shifting (which sometimes can shift too late or early) can be irritating for anyone already comfortable with hand brakes and shifting gears. It tends to shift abruptly when working hard up a hill.

Price: $450 (men's and women's models). (800) 222-5527; www.raleighamerica.com.