Roadie607

So I'm toying with the idea of converting an old rigid MTB, something like an 80s-90s Trek 930, into a dedicated utility bike. Seems like it would be a good option since I prefer the low maintenance of a single speed for those daily commutes where a bag is enough, but single speed is rough when you're burdened with 40+ lbs of gear on a frame that wasn't designed to carry that kind of weight. Seems like a older MTB would be a good alternative: lower center of gravity, smaller wheels, fat tires, gears, etc. If you guys would be so helpful as to show me your rigid mountain bikes turned cargo haulers, I'd appreciate it!

Thanks

shipwreck

here is my old KHS Expedition mtb.

https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8388/8...91468deb_z.jpg

Roadie607

Wow. You got some serious hauling capability there. What's the trailer?

shipwreck

Not real sure, it's a kiddy trailer that a buddy found and gave to me. I have had about eighty pounds on it max, and I sure don't want to try any more, that's for sure.
This bike has a long wheelbase, a lot longer than a trek like you are talking about.
its my night/heavy load bike. With four full panniers and the trailer it's quite a sight.

badmother

My sons 90`s Nakamura. Doublebutted Cro Mo, made in France (acording to framesticker):


Bike plus Tarzan

This bike is at the moment undergoing serious upgrade/rebuild. Front rack or lowriders will be added.

Still I think that if you want a serious cargohauler you should look into a small wheeled bike. Can take mor weight and have more space for cargo than a big wheeled bike. https://www.bikeforums.net/search.php?searchid=7468633

https://www.flickr.com/groups/smallwh...oto_3846450476

Roadie607

I'm seeing the night bike coming through; you ought to get a pic of what that thing can do to a dark road! I imagine the triple is a necessity... I never really considered a trailer before, mostly out of space issues but now you got me thinking. How does the trailer handle on inclines?

Roadie607

To be honest, I just don't know if I'd be able to get over looking like a circus gorilla riding a bike... I do understand the concept though, you can get the load pretty darn low on those bikes.

I forgot to mention how great that bike looks though. Those Nakamuras are gorgeous and the white tires were an excellent choice!

badmother

So you fear... something like this?

Roadie607

YES. That is exactly what I'd picture myself as. Road cyclists are shallow people. It's a sad truth.

badmother

They may kill us for this but yes- a lot of them (maybe most of the "insect peopel are").

If you do a bit of reading in the folder forum and in similar forums you`ll discower that a small wheeled bike with same components (gears tyres and so on) can go at least as fast as a road bike, especially when climbing. A lot of the folder peopel have fun with once in a while "wipe the grin off the face" of peopel who think carbon= fast and "dressed like an insect"+expensive bike= fast.

Childish of course but oh so fun! Just the other day I rode a small wheeler together with others on "normal" bikes. They all commented on the bike (that came out of the back seat of my small car) and later in the ride one woman said "you of course have to work much harder than us becouse of the small wheels..". At first I was stunned but then I decided to let them belive it- that I was stronger than them and working harder than them Why not?

Best thing is to let them ride the bike. Only then they understand.

Remember, the guy in the picture is on a bike with wery small wheels, and he is bigger than most of us. An avreage sized person on a bike with 20" wheels- especially if loaded up is not looking bad at all.

Did you see the videos of the Brompton shampionships by the way?

https://www.youtube.com/results?searc...be.BSm1B39Y6JI

Small wheels- 16 inch.

Gartenmeister

Here's mine. I just got it, so it is most definitely a work in progress. It is a Trek 890 from 1984. Trek says it is the ATB for the "urban canyon." Seems particularly well suited to this purpose- long wheelbase, Reynolds 501....even came with a rack originally.

First photo is as found, the second is like half an hour ago. Just did a Costco/grocery run and came back with about 35lbs of food and beer. It rides great loaded! I think it will be worth the project.

So far I have cleaned it up & adjusted everything, swapped the freewheel, repacked the rear hub, fixed the tubes about 10 times, wrapped the bars, and threw on the rack, Technomic stem and B17. I like the bike so I am planning upgrades to the brakes, tires and hopefully wheelset. Debating what to do about the bars....kind of thinking Nitto North Road, but not sure. Drivetrain works well, so I am not going to mess with it now. I mostly just use the middle ring though.

Roadie607

I do realize that that man is using smaller wheels than most folders, making the gorilla image look a bit worse than it would normally be. I also realize that yes, a smaller bike running the same gearing as a 700c road bike is obviously going to be slower, which is why small wheelers have huge chainrings. However, I'm sure it is still something I'd have to ride first to get over my discomfort about riding 20" wheels. I will however see if I can test ride a folder sometime, preferably when I go test ride the Surly Pugsley at my LBS Thanks for putting that option on the table though guys, I never would have considered a 20" wheeler to be a cargo hauling option.

Roadie607

Wow, that's gorgeous! I have a Trek 500 SS, which looks like an 890 in sport touring form; same paint and tubing. If it can haul the bulk goods of Costco it has my vote. Great build.

For handlebars, I recommend the Velo Orange Belleville handlebars. Had them on my last commuter, they were fairly upright and so comfortable, probably the most comfortable bars I've ever had. They are a porteur style bar though so they are a bit more narrow in width than most city/cruiser bars.

TuckamoreDew

1990 Rocky Mountain Fusion with Wald Giant Delivery Basket.

semaler

Here's my steel MTB with Basil front carrier. It weights a ton but it's quite an useful beast!

syncro87

I think my Hardrock Sport is an 00 or 01. I mounted a Yepp Maxi seat base to the cargo rack and then the Yepp seat. I prefer the trailer to hauling weight on the bike itself whether I'm hauling the kiddo or not. Center of gravity of heavy cargo is way lower in the trailer and does not affect the bike's handling nearly as much as weight on the bike itself. Others may have differing opinions. With this setup you can lose the child seat or trailer on a moment's notice and use just the bare bike if you want to. Versatile. I'm running Michelin Tracker 26x1.85 tires. I like these tires a lot for all around use. Good on pavement but can take the occasional rock bike trail or grass. Good puncture resistance. Alternately, you can run narrower Michelin City in 26x1.4 if you want more of a road tire that's still nice and flat resistant but rolls slightly easier. Around here, you get sidewalks/cracks in pavement/etc and the 1.85 tires handle this a lot better than the more street 1.5 Cities I had on there before.

rdlange

You know, I actually like this post. Take something you've already got or get cheap, modify it cheap, and USE IT productively.! Some of us [alot of us?] don't have the resources to get a fine specialty bike or several, or even the knowledge to do this. We just NEED/WANT an USEFUL bike, not a toy or an elitist show-off gadget. If it's not USEFUL what good is it? All my 'toys' better be able to do REAL work or they're gone. Tools are my toys. And that's why this is my favorite of all the BF forums, even if I don't have much to contribute yet. JMHO...

Thanks.

wahoonc

Not sure how I missed this thread the first time around.

But here is my 1989/90 Giant Iguana that has been repurposed for loaded hauling.

Also a picture of my semi-retired 1971 Raleigh Sports Standard that is used for beer hauling.

Most of my bikes are set up for utility use, some can haul more than others. But for the most part I will not own a bike without a rack or basket on it. Even my fixie has a small rear rack

Aaron