Here's a Public M3 and a Linus Dutchi... not exactly apples-to-apples, but a good-enough comparison.
Both have pretty classic lines and decent paint.
The Public has a generic microadjust seatpost and somewhat modern comfort saddle.
The Linus also has a microadjust seatpost (though a little rougher) and a sprung cruiser style saddle -- very indicative of the saddles you find on entry level European market city bikes.
The Linus has a very short 1" threaded stem with a lot of rise.
The Public stem has a nicer finish and provides a lot more reach. The riding position of the Publics are kind of half way between an upright Dutch posture and an American market hybrid.
The 1" threaded Public headset is just OK.
The 1" threaded Linus headset makes me a little sad. They really don't adjust very well.
Suprisingly nice alloy seat collar on the Public.
Pretty rough collar on the Linus, but at least it's silver.
Excellent Wellgo grippy pedals on the Public. They work well with all sorts of shoes and have decent bearings.
The Linus pedals make me a little sad.
Both frames seem to share the same dropouts. Note the Linus M5 bolts are galvanized steel and Philips head.
The Public M5s take 4mm allen keys and are stainless.
The Linus rear stays. Note the rough welds at the brake bridge.
The Public really starts to differentiate itself when you look at the welds.
From a distance, both bikes appear to have the same fenders, but the hardware and mounting system is different.
Here is the Public fender. I actually like the Linus design better.
Public has a few extra bells and whistles like these stripes on the fork.
Both frames have nice metal chainguard, but the Public is slightly better.
Not a bad design, really -- but pretty difficult welds on the Linus.
Linus crank and chainring.
Public crank and chainring. Can you tell the difference?
Public headtube welds.
Linus headtube welds.
The Linus bottom bracket has plastic cups.
The Public bottom bracket has metal cups.
Another big difference between the two lines are the wheels. Public uses presta valves, slightly higher spec 38c Kenda tires, and some oddly modern Deep-V profile rims with machined sidewalls.
The Linus wheels do look the part, but they are certainly not as rigid as those on the Public, which may explain a lot about the differing ride characteristics. Shrader valves and lower spec 35c Kendas.
Loose ball bearing front hub on the Linus.
Ever so slightly nicer spokes and hub on the Public.
