Post your utility bike thread
#752
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Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Michigan
Posts: 31
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Here is my dedicated grocery getter a 1976 Schwinn. This bike started out to be a restoration project but after I cleaned it up and rode it a few times I realized that this was really a sweet bike and suitable for an old man. The rack is made from a discarded skate board trimmed to fit. The stay for it is the seat stay from a frame I had taken other parts from for another project. Strong, wide and flat it makes a good seat for a passenger or to tie down a case of beer. The half-buckets are held on by industrial zip ties. I had planned to do something more sophisticated but zip ties are so cheap and quick I have continued to use them. Since the bicycle is used for cargo I leave the buckets installed. I can get more in them than I really want to carry. The front bucket is a Bell off the shelf item easily detached and really convenient with a carrying handle.
The original running gear has all been replaced with heavier stuff. The original wheels were light weight 1 3/8's replaced with 1.95's on steel wheels. The original gearing was a 10 speed but is now a 15 speed. The crank set is a 3 piece and has 3 chain rings (28-38-48) and the rear is 14 through 28. I don't have any hills here (unless you count the bridges) so you'd think I wouldn't need that kind of gearing but there are no bike paths, side walks or smooth shoulders either. Sometimes I need the gearing to get through the tall grass, gravel and in and out of pot holes. I retained the stem shifting levers for the chain ring shifting (nostalgia) and have an index shifter for the rear. Mostly I stay on the center ring (38t).
The brakes have been replaced with heavier duty rim brakes and would be inadequate for hilly country but that is not here.
The bike is stable and rock solid empty or under load. It weighs 45lbs.
I haven't needed more capacity yet but I think I will add an extension like the extracycle only home made. I'll post pictures when I do.
It ain't real pretty but it works and I have become emotionally involved. I get offended when it is insulted. Maybe I need professional psychiatric help.
The original running gear has all been replaced with heavier stuff. The original wheels were light weight 1 3/8's replaced with 1.95's on steel wheels. The original gearing was a 10 speed but is now a 15 speed. The crank set is a 3 piece and has 3 chain rings (28-38-48) and the rear is 14 through 28. I don't have any hills here (unless you count the bridges) so you'd think I wouldn't need that kind of gearing but there are no bike paths, side walks or smooth shoulders either. Sometimes I need the gearing to get through the tall grass, gravel and in and out of pot holes. I retained the stem shifting levers for the chain ring shifting (nostalgia) and have an index shifter for the rear. Mostly I stay on the center ring (38t).
The brakes have been replaced with heavier duty rim brakes and would be inadequate for hilly country but that is not here.
The bike is stable and rock solid empty or under load. It weighs 45lbs.
I haven't needed more capacity yet but I think I will add an extension like the extracycle only home made. I'll post pictures when I do.
It ain't real pretty but it works and I have become emotionally involved. I get offended when it is insulted. Maybe I need professional psychiatric help.
#753
Boss
Join Date: Sep 2013
Posts: 3
Bikes: 2013 Surly Karate Monkey, GT Timberline, Steve Bauer Chinhook, 90s Haro (not sure) ridgid MTB
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I made this from an aluminum mountain bike, new paint, fenders, rack with a milk crate, locking grips (i know not necessary and i might change them to slip on and bar ends from the GT timberline), microshift shifters.d today
#754
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Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Michigan
Posts: 31
Bikes: 7
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#755
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Colorado Springs
Posts: 1,134
Bikes: Borealis Echo, Ground Up Designs Ti Cross bike, Xtracycle, GT mod trials bike, pixie race machine
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Pictures from helping my friend with a bike move today!
#756
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Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Sisters, OR
Posts: 47
Bikes: Salsa Vaya, Trek 850 Xtracycle
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This is my 94' Trek xtracycle daily rider. A more recent build to me, I decided to take it up the Scenic McKenzie Pass in Oregon to see how it would fair on the climb. I was only carrying extra warm clothing and some PB&J's, but the bike did better than I expected. The road at this time of year is closed to motorists, and on this particular day was so beautifully foggy. Right now I am running studs with some back end ballast, and the bike is doing great in the snow.
Last edited by Radials983; 12-08-13 at 10:01 AM. Reason: Fixed broken photo links
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#757
Velocommuter Commando
This is my 94' Trek xtracycle daily rider. A more recent build to me, I decided to take it up the Scenic McKenzie Pass in Oregon to see how it would fair on the climb. I was only carrying extra warm clothing and some PB&J's, but the bike did better than I expected. The road at this time of year is closed to motorists, and on this particular day was so beautifully foggy. Right now I am running studs with some back end ballast, and the bike is doing great in the snow.
#758
Junior Member
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Amish Country, PA
Posts: 88
Bikes: Jones Plus LWB
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This is my 2013 Surly Troll, just in from a breezy ride, temps around 40 F. Dialing in new handlebar set up today, and really digging on some chemical toe warmer packs. I've been chomping at the bit to get out and ride, but the recent sub zero cold snap was a little chillier than I felt like dealing with. Happy to finally get a nicer day to ride.
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#759
Team Beer
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Sacramento CA
Posts: 6,339
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First post here and a new project. I just got the frame and it should be built in the next few weeks.
__________________
I'm not one for fawning over bicycles, but I do believe that our bikes communicate with us, and what this bike is saying is, "You're an idiot." BikeSnobNYC
I'm not one for fawning over bicycles, but I do believe that our bikes communicate with us, and what this bike is saying is, "You're an idiot." BikeSnobNYC
#762
Team Beer
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Sacramento CA
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It's built by Cycletrucks here in the Sacramento area. It's also build to come apart between the steertube and the cross tubes. Parts are on order to get this built and I need to build a seat for my kids. Give me a couple of weeks and I'll post more photos.
__________________
I'm not one for fawning over bicycles, but I do believe that our bikes communicate with us, and what this bike is saying is, "You're an idiot." BikeSnobNYC
I'm not one for fawning over bicycles, but I do believe that our bikes communicate with us, and what this bike is saying is, "You're an idiot." BikeSnobNYC
#764
Member
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Colorado Springs
Posts: 47
Bikes: Disc Trucker, Big Dummy, 74 Le Tour, Stumpy FSR 29, Tall Bike, Foundry Broadaxe, Burley tandem
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#765
Full Member
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Whitestone,Queens/Bayonne N.J.
Posts: 344
Bikes: Aurelia*Bianchi*Cannondale*Colnago*Dahon*Giant*Haro*Lynsky*Monkey Faction*Origin8*Panasonic*Paramont*Peugeot*Ross*Schwinn*SE*Specialized*Trek
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Here is my dedicated grocery getter a 1976 Schwinn. This bike started out to be a restoration project but after I cleaned it up and rode it a few times I realized that this was really a sweet bike and suitable for an old man. The rack is made from a discarded skate board trimmed to fit. The stay for it is the seat stay from a frame I had taken other parts from for another project. Strong, wide and flat it makes a good seat for a passenger or to tie down a case of beer. The half-buckets are held on by industrial zip ties. I had planned to do something more sophisticated but zip ties are so cheap and quick I have continued to use them. Since the bicycle is used for cargo I leave the buckets installed. I can get more in them than I really want to carry. The front bucket is a Bell off the shelf item easily detached and really convenient with a carrying handle.
The original running gear has all been replaced with heavier stuff. The original wheels were light weight 1 3/8's replaced with 1.95's on steel wheels. The original gearing was a 10 speed but is now a 15 speed. The crank set is a 3 piece and has 3 chain rings (28-38-48) and the rear is 14 through 28. I don't have any hills here (unless you count the bridges) so you'd think I wouldn't need that kind of gearing but there are no bike paths, side walks or smooth shoulders either. Sometimes I need the gearing to get through the tall grass, gravel and in and out of pot holes. I retained the stem shifting levers for the chain ring shifting (nostalgia) and have an index shifter for the rear. Mostly I stay on the center ring (38t).
The brakes have been replaced with heavier duty rim brakes and would be inadequate for hilly country but that is not here.
The bike is stable and rock solid empty or under load. It weighs 45lbs.
I haven't needed more capacity yet but I think I will add an extension like the extracycle only home made. I'll post pictures when I do.
It ain't real pretty but it works and I have become emotionally involved. I get offended when it is insulted. Maybe I need professional psychiatric help.
The original running gear has all been replaced with heavier stuff. The original wheels were light weight 1 3/8's replaced with 1.95's on steel wheels. The original gearing was a 10 speed but is now a 15 speed. The crank set is a 3 piece and has 3 chain rings (28-38-48) and the rear is 14 through 28. I don't have any hills here (unless you count the bridges) so you'd think I wouldn't need that kind of gearing but there are no bike paths, side walks or smooth shoulders either. Sometimes I need the gearing to get through the tall grass, gravel and in and out of pot holes. I retained the stem shifting levers for the chain ring shifting (nostalgia) and have an index shifter for the rear. Mostly I stay on the center ring (38t).
The brakes have been replaced with heavier duty rim brakes and would be inadequate for hilly country but that is not here.
The bike is stable and rock solid empty or under load. It weighs 45lbs.
I haven't needed more capacity yet but I think I will add an extension like the extracycle only home made. I'll post pictures when I do.
It ain't real pretty but it works and I have become emotionally involved. I get offended when it is insulted. Maybe I need professional psychiatric help.
#766
Full Member
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Whitestone,Queens/Bayonne N.J.
Posts: 344
Bikes: Aurelia*Bianchi*Cannondale*Colnago*Dahon*Giant*Haro*Lynsky*Monkey Faction*Origin8*Panasonic*Paramont*Peugeot*Ross*Schwinn*SE*Specialized*Trek
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Very nice bike
#767
Junior Member
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 157
Bikes: They have two wheels!
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Did some work yesterday and put my xtracycle back to work, but this time on a frame that fits me. I really love the way this thing rides. It makes for a great commuter, errand runner, townie, etc.
#768
Junior Member
Sold the Royce Union. My 'new' grocery/shopping ride. You can tell I don't have alot invested,in it yet, but it's lighter and a lower step thru. Been in storage awhile. Did a cat food run yesterday. Nobody tried to steal it. Found a gratitude rock.
Last edited by rdlange; 03-02-14 at 10:48 AM.
#770
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Eugene, Oregon
Posts: 1,345
Bikes: 2014 Specialized Dolce Triple, 1987 Schwinn Tempo, 2012 Windsor Kensington 8
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As a Christmas present to myself, I purchased a Wald Giant Delivery Basket. This thing carries quite a payload.
#771
Senior Member
or is it just to hold the headlight?
Last edited by hotbike; 03-20-14 at 11:00 AM. Reason: second guessing
#772
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Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Eugene, Oregon
Posts: 1,345
Bikes: 2014 Specialized Dolce Triple, 1987 Schwinn Tempo, 2012 Windsor Kensington 8
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Just to hold the headlight. I don't even use it for that anymore, as I got a Cateye Volt 300 to mount on my helmet. I love it so much, I'll probably never go back to having my front light mounted on my bike.
ETA: I have no idea what the pipe is made of. It was the plunger to hold my Cat Tree against the ceiling, but it was too long. (I replaced it with a shorter section of scavenged pipe.) It was, however, just the right size to keep my lights secure on the front of my basket.
ETA: I have no idea what the pipe is made of. It was the plunger to hold my Cat Tree against the ceiling, but it was too long. (I replaced it with a shorter section of scavenged pipe.) It was, however, just the right size to keep my lights secure on the front of my basket.
Last edited by kookaburra1701; 03-20-14 at 12:56 PM.
#773
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Chicago Western 'burbs
Posts: 1,065
Bikes: 1993 NOS Mt Shasta Tempest, Motobecane Fantom Cross CX, Dahon Speed D7, Dahon Vector P8, Bullitt Superfly
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Wife and son on our Taga. My Bullitt Superfly is coming next week.
#774
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Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 214
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My sturdy and ever-reliable Trek-1000. Used as commuter, dog tow-er, and grocery getter. Need to get a set of fenders and front rack for it. I just converted it to disc (San Francisco hills while towing are a bit sketchy!) and built my first wheel! It was pretty easy actually.
#775
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Chicago Western 'burbs
Posts: 1,065
Bikes: 1993 NOS Mt Shasta Tempest, Motobecane Fantom Cross CX, Dahon Speed D7, Dahon Vector P8, Bullitt Superfly
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Loaded with groceries and a kiddie picnic table we junked on the way home from the store.