robind

Obligatory Xtracycle:

Strangely Made

This is mine as of now, probably still more to do to it. But for now I'll see how it goes. Bare Ali frame, 44/16 teeth so about 70-72 gear inches.

Added the centre stand this weekend, should make it easier to load the rear rack.

RecceDG

A Dummy for a roadie.

DG

NormDeplume

I do a lot of errand-running on my bike, but my husband is really getting used to doing things with the trailer. I didn't think to snap a pic of the day when he lugged all the tail marking supplies before a foot race that he RD'ed. Here he is getting ready to take the recycling. Looking at this I can't believe that those two kids used to both fit in that trailer!

Brennan

I really like this thread. It makes me happy to see people who view their bike as something more than a recreational toy. Plus, a lot of the bikes here are just really cool.

Here is my utility bike. I call it BOB (Big Orange Bike). Built on a Schwinn Mirada frame, which was a lower end mountain bike from around 1991. I got it at the local ReCyclery. The frame is nothing special other than it fits me very well. Plus, it sports my custom, rattle can paint job. The only original part left ls the front wheel. Everything else has been swapped out with parts I had on hand or bought new or used. Right now, it's a single speed, running a rear coaster brake and front cantilever brake. The picture actually makes the bike look nicer than it is. Up close, it appears more beater-ish. I plan on getting a bell for it today, and then it will be complete...at least, until I decide to change something again.

Singlespeed92

Just now moving to an area where I can actually DO some errands/etc by bike. Haven't done any more than exploring the new city and riding around the nighborhood with the kids so far,and budget is next to nothing,LOL,but I had this rack laying around for a few years and threw it on there. Also have a Nashbar front (brake post mount) mini-rack at the old house I'll try and remember to pick up next trip there.




We'll see how it gets molded into what I need as I'm able to do it (physically as well as financially)

omegapd

My Trek Navigator 1.0 Love this bike. Waiting on a mirror now and then that should make it perfect for my little runs about town.

Sixty Fiver

Converted my Shasta back to an 18 speed with a bunch of XT parts I had... expanded the gear range and makes towing that loaded trailer even easier.



Last night's grocery run...

qmsdc15

You need to lower that rack!

qmsdc15

2010 Marin Bobcat Trail outside of a liquor store on Capitol Hill. Picking up four bottles of Scotch for delivery downtown.

qmsdc15

Your kids have attitude!

Phil_R

Surly Big Dummy for cargo and adventure touring.



Yuba Mundo v4.0 for heavy hauling.



Motobecane Gran Turismo for light utility, and everyday riding.

BAH

Bi yearly tear down, clean, paint, lube etc





Back on the road

Singlespeed92

Tell me about it...I'd have to get the drill out from what I see though,rack was designed for a different style bike I guess

A lower rack would give more room to fill this up...

MossHops

Just got my CETMA up and running today. Super excited about it. It's pretty now, but fenders, box and rain canopy all coming online in the next few weeks to make it more "utility."

Reynolds 

My new utility:


Old GT clone frame, Nexus 4 hub, homemade front rack.




Homemade dynamo powered LED lights.


Homemade steering stabilizer.


Towing my homemade trailer. Heaviest load so far, about 44 kg, but I think it could easily carry 60 kg, plus another 15 in the front crate.

digthemlows

Just got an xtracycle
Here it is set up

and loaded with some groceries and the best passanger ever!!

fenderbender

Very clever build! : Þ

Reynolds 

Thanks! I built it using mostly old parts I had laying around, so I think it turned out fairly well.

freediver

My wife and I just got back from a 10 day trip to Italy. I loved the fact that I never had to drive a car once- and wished we could have suck an efficient train system back here.

I also was interested in what bikes people road on a daily basis. I saw a few "roadies" decked out in Lycra out on their carbon fiber rockets, but the average person riding around town on their way home from the store I found much more interesting.

I don't think I saw a single bike helmet over there, and people road in whatever dress clothes they happened to be wearing. When the rain poured down in Florence I realized what a wimp i was for owning a full set of rain wear for my bike when I could have just ridden down the street holding an umbrella like I saw the locals doing!

There were specialized bikes for the post office workers and plenty of electric bikes for use on all of the crazy hills we found in towns like Siena. Many times I saw people ride until they hit a wall of a hill and then just get off and walk. There was no downshifting to a smaller gear, as many of the bikes didn't have any. It was just a matter of fact that you ride where you can and walk when you have to. I was also amazed at the bike handling skill of the average grandmother as she snaked her way down a crowded street full of dumb tourists ( like me!) without ever putting a foot down.

Here's a few of the bikes that I saw while I was there.

Jon

jankdc

Jon thanks for sharing your pictures and experience of Italy. While I wear a helmet (usually), I've been reading a bunch on how helmet laws don't protect people that much and will actually discourage riding.

xn7

wow very cool bikes.

bikecopXXX

Hey reynolds. who makes that double kickstand? or is that your handiwork also?

Reynolds 

I don't know, it was salvaged from an old bicycle years ago, no makers name on it. But I think Velo Orange sells some similar kickstands.

nutcase

I would just lie to say how much I for one love to see all your UTE bikes,and all the ways you guys and gals outfit them and give them the perssonal touch needed for your paticular needs. I like looking at bikes that are used for utility and are used daily for transportation. Id rather look at a bicycle that is dirty, but has tons of charcter,than a brand new fancy got to have that bike before Indie kind. The people I've met that really use thier bikes for everyday runs are usually always interesting to talk with. I live near two colleges and belive me theres a lot of cool bikes to observe.