Looking for a utlilty bike

[Domromer]

I'm looking for a grocery store around town type bike. Something like a Breezer but less expensive. Maybe around 600$. I'd like something that you sit very erect and there is very little weight on your wrists. Thats the most important thing. I have really bad wrists and a position that puts much weight on them causes a lot of pain. I'm posting this because there are so many different bike models it's hard to know what good or bad.

So to summarize;

Upright position
Able to take racks and fenders
600$ or less would be nice
Steel would be real nice but I don't know if I can get that in my price range.

[Nightshade]

I'm looking for a grocery store around town type bike.

So to summarize;
Upright position
Able to take racks and fenders
600$ or less would be nice
Steel would be real nice but I don't know if I can get that in my price range.

Without a doubt a Worksman bike will do the job in sweet comfort for you in either a
bike or trike .....built to your order your way....by an American company!

Worksman are the ultimate simple bullet proof cycles made to work for decades.

http://worksmancycles.com/shopsite_sc/store/html/recreational.html

http://worksmancycles.com/shopsite_sc/store/html/cruisers.html

Once you place your order it will be built and then delivered ready to ride to your door!!


One note: Many here will tell you that a Worksman is a tank that doesn't deserve
your consideration. 'Taint true!! I've rode Worksman for 40+ years and now
own/ride a Worksman PAV as my main transportation in town. A Worksman
bike will out last most bikes with minimum care.

You can spend more money but you will not buy more bike than a Worksman for
pure utility duty. ;);)

[wahoonc]

Domroamer,


I would suggest something from the Schwinn (http://schwinnbike.com/products/) line up if available to you. The Coffee (http://schwinnbike.com/products/intbikes_detail.php?id=1064) or the Cruiser 3 (http://schwinnbike.com/products/bikes_detail.php?id=1016) are a couple that come to mind. I have seen both of these bikes up close and they are a decent value for the money.

Aaron:)

[Sirrus Rider]

I'm looking for a grocery store around town type bike. Something like a Breezer but less expensive. Maybe around 600$. I'd like something that you sit very erect and there is very little weight on your wrists. Thats the most important thing. I have really bad wrists and a position that puts much weight on them causes a lot of pain. I'm posting this because there are so many different bike models it's hard to know what good or bad.

So to summarize;

Upright position
Able to take racks and fenders
600$ or less would be nice
Steel would be real nice but I don't know if I can get that in my price range.

I second Tightwad's recommendation of Worksman for a bombproof, castiron-no-fail utility bike. One thing I may add is for grocery getting I found a trike to work best. Why? No need to prop it up while loading it up with groceries. No need to risk breaking off a kickstand from excessive weight and the ability to carry cases of coke/beer without having to break the cases down to fit in panniers along with any other groceries you may have bought. Granted, by cubic inch a bicycle with front and rear panniers might carry a bit more by volume than a box stock trike, but volume is but part of the logistical equation. The one counterpoint is I have found a trike harder to ride over uneven or sloping pavement. The Answer to this problem? Slow down and make like an offroader.. :D

My grocery getter is one step from yard sculpture (reads cheap Wallyworld type conveyance). It's A '07 Schwinn Town & Country made by the Red Chinese and imported by Pacific Bicycle, but surprisingly for the $475ish I paid, it works quite well.

http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q219/Sirrus-Rider/07%20Bikes/07SchwinnTownCountryII.jpg


It comes with a built on collapsible basket (I have opted to keep it deployed at all times).

http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q219/Sirrus-Rider/07%20Bikes/07SchwinnTownCountryRearCloseup.jpg



I suppose a front rack could be added for additional cargo capacity with some engineering around the phat front forks and I might do that as a future upgrade.

http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q219/Sirrus-Rider/07%20Bikes/07SchwinnTownCountryFront.jpg

It does come with fenders; however, I found the front fender a little too short and even though the frame tube catches most of the slop from getting on the rider, I'm considering getting a Bikeplanet Freddy Fenders hard core set so that not splatter reaches the underside of the chain. (No, Bike Planet doesn't make a set of fenders for trikes, but I'd just lift a front fender from a hard core bike set.


Currently $479 from Performance bike..

http://www.performancebike.com/shop/Profile.cfm?SKU=24438&item=30-0642&slitrk=search&slisearch=true

[Kimmitt]

I have an Electra Townie that also may fill your needs.

I swapped out the original handlebars for some chopper bars, expressly for the purpose of decreasing the pressure on my wrists, and I recommend it.

[Doug5150]

I'm looking for a grocery store around town type bike. Something like a Breezer but less expensive. Maybe around 600$. I'd like something that you sit very erect and there is very little weight on your wrists. ....Steel would be real nice but I don't know if I can get that in my price range.
I bought a Worksman new. Other than the wheels, they're nothing special. The prices are okay but it took two months for mine to be delivered (their usual estimate is 35 days) and the largest frame they offer (20") wasn't nearly big enough for my 6'2" tall hide.

For what you want, any old bike on Craigslist can work, for way less than $600. Getting a junky-looking one makes it even less likely to be stolen, something important for a bike you plan on leaving locked up all over town.
All you need to sit upright is some riser handlebars.
Townies have the pedals forward and are something to watch for as well.
~

[StephenH]

I've got a review of the Worksman Industrial Bike in the "Clydesdales" forum, if you can hunt that up.

[Nightshade]

I've got a review of the Worksman Industrial Bike in the "Clydesdales" forum, if you can hunt that up.

I am unable to locate your review anywhere on the forum. Please post a link as I'd like to
read your opinion of the Worksman.

[Abneycat]

+1 on the Electra Townie. It fits your description, save for being aluminum, but as far as ride is concerned its a nice bike.

[JeffS]

Domroamer,


I would suggest something from the Schwinn (http://schwinnbike.com/products/) line up if available to you. The Coffee (http://schwinnbike.com/products/intbikes_detail.php?id=1064) or the Cruiser 3 (http://schwinnbike.com/products/bikes_detail.php?id=1016) are a couple that come to mind. I have seen both of these bikes up close and they are a decent value for the money.

Aaron:)

Aaron, where did you see the coffee? I've been interested in looking at them.

------

To the OP, what about an Electra Amsterdam?

[Sirrus Rider]

I am unable to locate your review anywhere on the forum. Please post a link as I'd like to
read your opinion of the Worksman.



I took the liberty.. Here you go.:D



http://bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=355199

[Nightshade]

I took the liberty.. Here you go.:D



http://bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=355199

Thank you.;)

Forwarded link to Wayne Sosen, President of Worksman. He needs to
see the comments on quality issues.

[wahoonc]

Aaron, where did you see the coffee? I've been interested in looking at them.

------

To the OP, what about an Electra Amsterdam?

Jeff,
You are going to LOVE this: at Lanky's Bicycle and Mower Shop in Dunn, NC. They are just off of exit72 on I-95. If you need more info let me know. They had special ordered a pair for someone right before Christmas and they were still in the back when I was in buying parts the other day. I think they are going to order another pair for floor stock.

Aaron:)

[curb hash]

I like the Schwinn Coffee. I also like the Redline 925. I can live without gears on a utility bike but I prefer to have a coaster brake to prolong rim life in rainy or gritty road salt/snowy conditions.

Has anyone seen or test ridden a KHS Urban Green?

[wahoonc]

I like the Schwinn Coffee. I also like the Redline 925. I can live without gears on a utility bike but I prefer to have a coaster brake to prolong rim life in rainy or gritty road salt/snowy conditions.

Has anyone seen or test ridden a KHS Urban Green?

I have a Redline, wouldn't recommend it as a grocery getter unless you are pretty hardcore. It isn't intended as a heavy load hauler.

As far as the KHS Green...I think it is a figment of someone's imagination. My "local" (60 miles away) KHS dealer can't even get pricing on it. It suffers from the same problem as the Coffee and several other bikes of the same type, they only come in one or two small to me sizes...

Aaron:)

[curb hash]

Thanks much Wahoonc. I guess I'll just keep using my old, slow Specialized Armadillo-shod Jamis Boss cruiser for utility duties.

[joelpalmer]

The Coffee made me laugh a little, except for coloration it's the same as my '74 Schwinn Speedster. Guess they decided that style is worthwhile after changing the Speedster into a more straightforward road bike.