I call it a utility commuter bike because i can just throw a leg over the seat and ride a quick trip to get pizza, yogurt, go to grocery store, or just ride with my wife and son, without putting on clipless shoes (my other bike is look type cleats)
It has a rack and baskets (wald folding) so I can can carry stuff.
It has lights and blinky to be seen (and see a little)
It has fenders so I don't get too messy in rain or leaking sprinklers
It is sorta of simple....1 x 8, don't work about front derailler...pretty clean look
I can put spd shoes on (platform/spd pedals) and do a five mile commute or longer fun/get some exercise ride (not perfect for longer distances...but my other bike is in pieces :p )
I had fun building it (not utility requirement but pride of ownership)
So for me utility is a swiss army knife able to use it every day kind of thing...I'm not car free...but this has reduced a lot of trips.
and of course it is a cool green (Duplicolor grabber green engine enamel)
jim
Ps here is more detail on the build http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=293760&highlight=nishiki
PPS: My wife's definition of utiliyt is easy stepover, comfy seat, and cute little basket up front for under 2 mile trips....ie an Electra 7 sp (not nexus ) cruiser with a little wicker basket..... to each their own :D:D
Raiyn
08-15-07, 06:15 PM
Hey I remember you posting that bike in my "Stealth" Reflectors (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=297284) thread :D
http://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w142/squirtdad/nishikinight01.jpg
I've got a few questions for you:
What do you think of the Wald folding baskets? Any excess rattling?
I noticed you went with a flat bar, was there a reason you didn't go with something like a Nitto Albatross?
How's the Engine Paint holding up? I'm interested in that particular shade for another project of mine.
JonathanGennick
08-15-07, 06:17 PM
Nice build. Nice looking bike. Well done.
I bought a bike this spring intending to make it into a utility bike. I've become schizophrenic about it though. It's a mountain-style hybrid with 29er tires and front suspension, and it's so much fun to ride on trails that I can't decide which way to go: keep it as a trail bike, or go ahead with the racks and fenders.
Mine's green too, a grey-green. Must be something good about green.
The transformation from what you began with to what you ended up with is amazing. You really did a great job.
Buglady
08-15-07, 10:24 PM
Very nice bike! I like the colour. Engine enamel eh? How did you prep the surface? I need to do a couple of my bikes.
My best "utility" bike is turning out to be my Raleigh 5 speed, Sir Lancelot. It has a big springy saddle that's comfortable to ride in any pants, fenders, a sturdy rack that I'm not afraid to load up, and it's generally the easiest ride I have.
I want to build some bigger panniers (love the idea someone posted with plastic bins attached with industrial zip ties!) and replace the freewheel with a Shimano 7-speed with a bailout cog, because right now Sir Lancelot and I are not so happy on hills, and there is a BIG hill between me and the bead shop!
bragi
08-16-07, 12:08 AM
That's a very nice looking bike; you do good work. I agree that the green paint is a nice touch.
My utility bike (actually my only bike) isn't quite as attractive as yours, but it has similar attributes. I bought a used 1995-1997 Diamondback Lakeside (not exactly sure of the vintage), replaced the rear cassette and crank, got rid of the knobbies and put 700 x 35 road tires on, added fenders, a bigger saddle, Jandd heavy duty rack, and waterproof panniers. It's a bit scratched, and not at all featherweight, but it rides well, and, since I'm not at all handy, I'm kind of pleased with the way it turned out. It's turned out to be the perfect workhorse. I do virtually everything with that bike; I recently used it with a trailer to haul an outboard motor, and it worked out fine. Best of all, it looks like the bicycle equivalent of a beat up old pickup, so it's not likely to get stolen. (knock on wood...)
squirtdad
08-16-07, 11:54 AM
Hey I remember you posting that bike in my "Stealth" Reflectors (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=297284) thread :D
[I've got a few questions for you:
What do you think of the Wald folding baskets? Any excess rattling?
I noticed you went with a flat bar, was there a reason you didn't go with something like a Nitto Albatross?
How's the Engine Paint holding up? I'm interested in that particular shade for another project of mine.
Raiyn
Yep I've posted this bike a few times....it was my first big rebuild and I'm still a prod pop.......the stealth part of this is that the entire frame if reflective becasue I misted "Duplilcolor Nite effects" over the clearcoat..makes the whole thing reflective.
I like the walds....I don't get rattles when they are folded. Some when open and lightly loaded, but nothing to drive me crazy.
Flatbar...i was trying for a bit of an upright stance, simple feel....I did get a pair of nitto "priest" style bars, but couldnt fit brakes, shifter etc on cleanly...so I went cheap performance flat bar....the key though is the cane creek ergo bar ends....I use those 90% of the time......next build (find frame and do a 3 speed or single speed I hope to use the priest bars.
The engine paint is ok...it is simple not as durable as powder coat or catalized auto paint, so I do get chips...i just touch them up....but am thinking of using pink in the future to get a green/pink spot thing going :)
Very nice bike! I like the colour. Engine enamel eh? How did you prep the surface? I need to do a couple of my bikes.
Buglady, thanks.
I stripped the frame using chemical stripper, then rattle canned it.....I had fun, but honestly would seriously consider powder coating the next time....it is durable and all said and done not that much more expensive than rattle canning...but the chance to be creative is fun. The is a good write up on painting in the Painters sticky in the Classic and Vintage forum.....
Raiyn
08-16-07, 01:18 PM
I like the walds....I don't get rattles when they are folded. Some when open and lightly loaded, but nothing to drive me crazy.The rattling is the #1 reason why I haven't gone to a rack and basket setup. I guess it's due to dealing with the cheap-o racks that are commonly available these days. I like my bikes to be as close to silent as possible when in operation (I can handle the ratcheting of the hub because it's supposed to do that.)
Flatbar...i was trying for a bit of an upright stance, simple feel....I did get a pair of nitto "priest" style bars, but couldnt fit brakes, shifter etc on cleanly...so I went cheap performance flat bar....the key though is the cane creek ergo bar ends....I use those 90% of the time......next build (find frame and do a 3 speed or single speed I hope to use the priest bars.
Hmm, if it were me, I think I would have gone with a thumbshifter on the priest bars.
The engine paint is ok...it is simple not as durable as powder coat or catalized auto paint, so I do get chips...i just touch them up....but am thinking of using pink in the future to get a green/pink spot thing going :)I see, I think I'll pop for the powdercoat when I do mine.
squirtdad
08-16-07, 01:44 PM
[color=blue]Hmm, if it were me, I think I would have gone with a thumbshifter on the priest bars.
That was my original vision...but try finding an 8 sp, indexed thumb shifter:D:D....the only options i could find were the Paul adapters, nice but expensive I even got a Sachs 8 sp twist grip....but not enough room before the bend.... I could just convert this guy to a 3 spd....but it works pretty well now....
Raiyn
08-16-07, 02:36 PM
That was my original vision...but try finding an 8 sp, indexed thumb shifter:D:D....the only options i could find were the Paul adapters, nice but expensive
Indexing :p No, no, no. Friction! Some nice ratchet action Suntour Mighty. That way you can run whatever you want in the back 5-6-7-8-9-10 It won't matter :D That's utility :D
JunkyardWarrior
08-20-07, 12:22 AM
love the color and the reflective idea..........i guess you could still do the reflective stuff over the powder coat
i just finished my fwd recumbent and would like a durable finish.............any idea how much it costs to powder coat a frame?......and what kinda prep work needs to be done?
squirtdad
08-20-07, 11:27 AM
I think it varies area to area, but it seems from the posts that I have read,l that a simple single color goes from roughly $70 to $120. Locally (SF bay area) there is a place that will bead blast and coat for $110. A good source to find a powder coater is you local bicycle or motorcycle shop.
The impression i get is that most places bead blast so that there is good adhesion. Also other posts have noted that to remove powder coat you use chemicals.
There is a good stick in classic and vintage that has a good amount of infomation on painting and frame painters, but also sometimes mentions powder coating