Utility Cycling - Ute r Commuter

Just a note that I recently bought a Kona Ute and after finding very little in the ethernet by people actually owning one and using it daily, I started a Blog to document my usage and modifications.

There is not a lot of content yet, but as soon as my camera returns expect some actual pics of the Ute in action. I plan to use it to commute, haul cargo, and run my woodcarving business.

we will see how it goes

rod
http://utercommuter.blogspot.com/

Congrats on the new bike, I see you mention you also have a LHT, I use the same for my day to day and went with a trailer for larger loads.

I thought about a trailer, but I am working toward only 2 bikes. 2009 is to be the year of simplification, but we will see where that gets, me. Planning on a cargo bike and a folder (already have an old one). I am sure many have said/planned this before, but lets be honest - we love bikes. I have 6 bikes now and am working in selling at least 3 of them after purchasing the Ute.

Yes, I do realize that my rational above does nothing to justify the Ute, or negate a trailer, but...

Nice bike. I think Kona made some really nice changes for the 2009 model. I am also from Lincoln, NE and bought a Big Dummy last year and am really liking it. I also happen to be in IT and have a co-worker looking at getting a Ute, so we could start a Lincoln chapter of IT geeks with utility bikes. :)

Cheers,

Rod: So the bike only comes with bags for one side? Kinda misleading from the stock photo. Does Kona sell the same bag so you can have a pair?

Rod,,I bought one last summer and here's what I did, replaced the handlebars with longer stem,straightbars and bar ends. You might find some kind of bar extension for the existing bars that meets your needs. The stock grips aren't that comfy and bar ends can get your wrists into a more comfortable position. Profile makes some nice fat ones. I just finished wrapping the grips and bar ends. At 37 yr not old enough to complain about getting old so fix the wrist/grip problem if you use your hands for work.

The front end DOES shimmy badly and can be remedied with front rack and panniers. I put on an oldmanmountain sherpa rack and panniers. Made all the difference in the world. Yeah,,it's pricey but it works. Maybe others have recomendations for front rack on disc wheels . I am kind of surprised by the shimmy given how solid the frame is in the back.

re. bike stand,,yep, it's nearly worthless as it allows the bike to lean too far over and with any weight it's all the way over. Let me know what you find, I'm looking for a chainstay mounted stand.

My Ute came with two black bags about 2/3 the size of the one you have, they would pop right off with any big load. The folks here recommended zip ties,,,duh,,and they work great now. Regarding the back rack I've got a long milk crate attached to the rack right up against the seat.

For easy loading/riding putting on small front panniers (Jandd economy) and a long milk crate(1 1/2 sized regular ones) make for a good ride with the rear panniers loaded up for big loads. The long crate is good for tossing in any size item without worrying about balancing loads left/right.

The far back rack supports get scratched up easily leaning against walls so wrap them with heavy gorilla tape. With lots of weight I went through the paint into the aluminum in a few days leaning and bumping against walls. You can also mount a couple (go crazy,,four?) Planet bike superflash lights inboard of the far aft rack supports. They'll never get hit there.

re. visibility,,get these and apply as desired,,MUCH better than most reflective tapes on the market and almost as good as prism reflectors. I put some on the back supports and forks.

http://www.landfallnavigation.com/-spfdt.html if that price still exists it's about 1/2 what WestMarine charges for them.

ps. re. bells,,I finally found another Crane brass bell. So far it's the loudest clear tone bell I've found. About 2" in diameter. Worth it.

LeeG - thanks for the commentary. I am really wanting to see a pic of your Ute. I could add it to the Blog? PM me if you want I can send you my email.

I don't have a camera, it's a green bike, looks pretty much as described. I still think it's a killer value and good bike for the details, I wish it came in a larger version as advertised. The OMM Sherpa front rack looks slick, in retrospect a front rack that had lower mounting option for panniers would be better. Before I switched around the bars I was tempted to put on some narrow "bar ends" inside of the brake levers on the existing bars but for heavy loads I didn't want my hand grip so far inboard.

I just posted some upgrades to the Ute on my blog. In short this is turning out to be a great bike and i would recommend it to anyone wanting a utility bike for not a lot of $. It does have some issues, but I have used it to carry groceries, my son, countless trips to the recycle center, another bike, tons of wood for carving and the list continues.

http://utercommuter.blogspot.com/