I've seen this bike before in "The Village". The owner must work nearby. Didn't have a real camera along for the ride on this one so forgive the photography. I've posted a few "in the Wild" type posts. As they say; "when you want to learn about animals don't go to the zoo, go out into the wild". For me, these candid photos of real in-use "volkspedes" are where it's at. Lunchpail, working bikes... and winter ones too. I think this model 610 stated it had splined tubing on a decal on the top tube, or, it could've read triple butted. I'd go for one if it fit.

Note the cheeky saddle arrangement. The packmule in the background looks on impatiently.

That bike was not an inexpensive bike when it was new. But 30+ years, and a succession of ownership have lost the importance of this machine- and just being used and locked up, unprotected from the winter elements. It doesn't look like it's in too bad of shape-it looks like a lot of stuff has been replaced- and I guess there's something to be said about it being ridden; but I just think perhaps a bike with a little less of a pedigree could be the "winter duty" bike.

If I see the guy (or girl) I'll ask him about it. The 610 seems to be a nice frame. At least whoever pedals it is cruising the cold in style. The milk will always be chilled. I know I wouldn't be running that as a winterbike but if it was all I had I'd have to.

My '84 610 is my winter/rain bike, but it has been powder coated and re-decaled as both elements were toast when I got it. It has a host of modern parts on it and is a superb winter rig. If modern steel-bike-producing companies copied the geometry and added disc brakes, I'd be instantly sold. For now, I'll just have to plan braking in the rain and on hills.

You people go OUTSIDE in that weather? I don't go out on my ride if it gets down to 45 degrees. Please post more photos like this so I can look at them when the next hurricane is threatening South Florida. It will help me remember why I am here.

Sure, all the time. It goes with the territory. Here are a couple of other recent similar threads in the "series":

Haro Escape in the wild today

CCM Targa 3000 Spotted in the Wild

I doubt there will be many more opportunities to document the winter-bike variety as the snow is melting down nicely.

[MENTION=438301]as50x20[/MENTION] yes we do. Now, it rarely snows in Seattle but there is plenty of rain and cold-enough to go around. 45° is windbreaker (but waterproof!) jacket and gloves, rain or dry. One bike for rain/yuck (my 610), and any day where it's dry in the sky and on the ground, the rest of my bikes are qualified for. Sure, arm and leg warmers under jacket and jeans is less fun, and still cold at 35°, but hey, I'm riding my bike and not stuffed in a overcrowded bus going slow. On the flip side, your 90° and humid is manageable (or so) for you, but we would be melted into a puddle. Too hot!

My 610 spent 20 years and 27,000 miles as an all weather commuter fix gear until its life ended with a hard crash. Good bike. Very good workmanship (under a very ordinary brown factory paint job - so the workmanship was a well disguised secret). Poor fit for the job until I put an enormous stem on it.

That bike did long hard service with never a complaint. The Trek that replaced it fits me far better and is a much better ride (despite not so nice tubes) but had to go back to a framebuilder for repair for what would have been a warranty issue had I been the first owner.

As for that bike seeing abuse re: being ridden in snow? My bike saw at least as bad, but ... it always wore full fenders.

Edit: it came with OEM Shimano cantis that were so good I quickly took them off and put them on my Mooney where they reside to this day.

Ben

I'm certain now our mystery Miyata rider is a regular at this same "Village" location. She's switched over to a summer ride now, a Motobecane Mirage. It seems riders around here enjoy their single speeds for winter. I haul heavy stuff on mine and keep to a shiftable setup. Why she doesn't use the Moto for Winter instead I don't know.

I took another few of a different winter mode bike that day too, a Marin of some type, complete with Betty Crocker easy bake mitts affixed the handlebars. For a seat set that high plus with sloping T.T. I don't know why he'd need a sacksaver but luck favours the prepared. It wasn't cold out today, only -4c or so but 10 degrees below normal for this time of year. Nice Sunshine too. Your clothes feel hot, but the air is chilly.

Despite 2.5cm of snow forecast in the next few days and the possibility of more snow yet, I'd say this will be the last of winter volkspedes picture fashion show for 2018.

Someone get that Miyata fenders asap!

Looks like she dropped down to 700c and went meaty with the tires on the Mirage, Nice! I am usually in the keep the 27 wheel camp but I can appreciate this modification, and the side pulls and flat bars. I do like seeing old bikes getting used and being useful especially with entry level bikes like the Mirage. I see Rain bike and errand bike examples like this all the time at my Farmers market in West Seattle, of course I stop and oggle them.

Like this Cannodale R300, once an entry level road bike now a Porteur

[IMG]Cannondale R300 Portuer by Ryan Surface, on Flickr[/IMG]

Hi Ryan, that's a two hipster ride if there ever was one