Utility Cycling - Recomend me a new utility bike/frame $1-2000 range

Hi all! I've been getting really sick of riding in the rain without fenders lately, and as my bike can not accommodate them, it may be time for a new one ;)

I have been out of the bike market for the last four years or so, so any recommendations y'all can give would be greatly appreciated!

Here's what I'm looking for:

Something to run errands, including groceries in the 0-5 mile range. Also, just for general all purpose travel needs, winter and summer. It should be quick, though I am not opposed to a slightly more relaxed geometry. It needs to be completely utilitarian and able to last for at least a decade. I'm willing to spend no less than 1000, and not much more than 2000. And there have to be attachment points for any conceivable fender and or rack.

Also, I'm partial to a classic narrow tubed frame :love: though that's not a deal killer.

Here is one I found in my initial research- minus the bar end shifters:

http://www.trophybikes.com/content/Image/bikes/surly_lht.jpg

Any other brands I would be wise to look at?

In that price range you may also wish to look at the Salsa Cassaroll.

Oh I may get creamed for this but how about the Rivendell Sam Hillborne? Highly versatile and right around $2,000 complete: http://www.rivbike.com/products/show/sam-hillborne-framebike/50-700

Salsa Fargo?

Pake C'Mute

http://pakebikes.com/product/F8EF09/C%27Mute+Frame

http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l58/bugly64/pakecmute.jpg

Oh I may get creamed for this but how about the Rivendell Sam Hillborne? Highly versatile and right around $2,000 complete: http://www.rivbike.com/products/show/sam-hillborne-framebike/50-700

http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l58/bugly64/hb60_fendersR14.jpg
That bike is dope.

http://www.somafab.com/sagatouring.html
http://www.velo-orange.com/vopomfr.html
http://waterfordbikes.com/images/upload/AC2000Cat-23802web.JPG
http://www.pakebikes.com/pakemute5.html
http://www.traitorcycles.com/Bikes_Ruben.cfm
http://www.traitorcycles.com/Bikes_Exile.cfm
http://salsacycles.com/bikes/casseroll_double/

Two and half more, Torker Cargo T, and Surly Pugsley, and the 8 speed version of the Cargo T from Joe bike, Portland.

The Cargo T is not especially skinny tubed, but it is hell for stout. And the Pugsley, well any bike that is designed to interchange the back wheel with the front, and use 4 " tires into the bargain can't be all bad.

Civia (http://civiacycles.com/) makes some pretty complete, well though out utility bikes in that price range. As far as utility bikes go you really can have your pick of the litter for 1 to 2k.

Your criteria are kind of a hodge podge mix. Quick is a function of power to weight. If you are light and strong nearly any bike can be quick, if it's loaded with groceries any bike will be slow. When you said completely utilitarian I imagined a Worksman bicycle with big metal baskets, coaster brake and heavy wheels, not quick.

It looks like drop bars are acceptable so the LHT is perfectly acceptable. You can carry a hella lot of stuff on that with panniers/baskets front and back with stuff on top. When you say groceries do you mean the ability to bring two cases of beer or one bag of groceries home? If you're just thinking of a bag of groceries and a couple six packs then there are a LOT of bikes you can put a rear rack and panniers on. But if you're thinking of more than that you start looking at bikes like the LHT with heavy racks front and back and it's no longer "quick". So how much stuff do you need to carry for utilitarian purposes?

BTW the LHT doesn't have narrow road tubes. The Cross-Check has tubes that are closer to "normal" and the rear triangle is more than sturdy enough for a heavy pannier load.

It looks like drop bars are acceptable so the LHT is perfectly acceptable. You can carry a hella lot of stuff on that with panniers/baskets front and back with stuff on top. When you say groceries do you mean the ability to bring two cases of beer or one bag of groceries home? If you're just thinking of a bag of groceries and a couple six packs then there are a LOT of bikes you can put a rear rack and panniers on. But if you're thinking of more than that you start looking at bikes like the LHT with heavy racks front and back and it's no longer "quick". So how much stuff do you need to carry for utilitarian purposes?

BTW the LHT doesn't have narrow road tubes. The Cross-Check has tubes that are closer to "normal" and the rear triangle is more than sturdy enough for a heavy pannier load.

+1 for the Surly LHT. :DI also like commuting on my Big Dummy. Not "quick" but not bad either.:thumb:

Ciao,
Tim