MrEss

This evening I'm planning on heading to the coop and starting the work to turn my partner's neglected Schwinn Varsity (north road bars, step through frame) into a serviceable four-season errand bike. I'm thinking it'll be pretty nice with a coaster brake, 26x1.5" semi-knobby MTB tires, and no cables at all.

One big problem that only now occurred to me is clothing compatibility... in winter I like to wear a calf-length military greatcoat. This thing's going to need dressguards in addition to the stock chainguard and fenders.

I've been thinking it should get a rear basket (like this: https://waldsports.com/index.cfm/wald...rcarriers.html) anyway... do you all think that'll provide enough rear-wheel coverage to keep my coat out of the spokes?

jtgotsjets

Probably, but wouldn't it be more fun to make your own? I've often considered using a bikes rack+stays and weaving some twine through them to make a skirtguard. Just never had a good enough reason to.

wahoonc

You can buy ready made coat/skirt guards from Morgan Imports.

Aaron

MrEss

Hmm, maybe I'll get lazy and use those if the basket doesn't turn out to be good enough!

mickey85

I had a set of baskets on my commuter for a while. They were functional as carrying devices (loaded a 40 lb bag of dog food on them once). They didn't leave much of the wheel exposed...I'd think unless it was a super flappy coat, and she hung it off the back of the saddle instead of sitting on it, and you didn't have fenders, you'd have a problem. But, if you had her sit on the coat, or throw fenders on it, you'd probably be good to go.

daisy101

Veloria, the lovely bicycle blogger, just posted on her blog that she installed black twine like dress guards on her Gazelle. She has photos of the those dress guards (available at antbikemike) on her blog.

I think these dress guards are very good looking, but it's not entirely clear how much they might do in the way of keeping loose clothing from getting entwined in the spokes...