Commuter Bicycle Pics
Thread Killer

Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 13,140
Likes: 2,162
From: Ann Arbor, MI
Bikes: 15 Kinesis Racelight 4S, 76 Motebecane Gran Jubilée, 17 Dedacciai Gladiatore2, 12 Breezer Venturi, 09 Dahon Mariner, 12 Mercier Nano, 95 DeKerf Team SL, 19 Tern Rally, 21 Breezer Doppler Cafe+, 19 T-Lab X3, 91 Serotta CII, 23 3T Strada
I've posted a pic of my commuter/utility bike in this thread a couple of times over the years, but have since added a nifty Xootr Crossrack and Crossbag to the rig...that, and my old server is offline so the pics aren't visible anymore anyway, so it's time for a new one.
The bike is an old Novara Buzz, about 7 years old now, with a few component changes over the years, most notably wheels and crank. Drivetrain is original, and next up for upgrades. The post protruding from the bottom bracket is a hitch for a Chariot sidecar.
The bike is an old Novara Buzz, about 7 years old now, with a few component changes over the years, most notably wheels and crank. Drivetrain is original, and next up for upgrades. The post protruding from the bottom bracket is a hitch for a Chariot sidecar.
This bike is cat approved
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,531
Likes: 0
From: Lincoln, NE
Bikes: To many to list...
Thats pretty awesome! I'll be interested in how you like that frame. I didn't hit quote I was referring to the Origin 8 buly, but the Buzz is pretty sweet too. =)
Last edited by monsterpile; 06-02-13 at 10:47 PM.
Bike ≠ Car ≠ Ped.

Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 13,863
Likes: 6
From: Washington, DC
Bikes: Some bikes. Hell, they're all the same, ain't they?
Thread Killer

Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 13,140
Likes: 2,162
From: Ann Arbor, MI
Bikes: 15 Kinesis Racelight 4S, 76 Motebecane Gran Jubilée, 17 Dedacciai Gladiatore2, 12 Breezer Venturi, 09 Dahon Mariner, 12 Mercier Nano, 95 DeKerf Team SL, 19 Tern Rally, 21 Breezer Doppler Cafe+, 19 T-Lab X3, 91 Serotta CII, 23 3T Strada
First, the bike fits great; it does has one of those stupid 29er type forks that are extra tall to simulate the height of a suspension fork, but the head tube is rather more standard height, so a popped up tall front end is not a problem as it is-- for me-- on so many flat bar road and hybrid bikes of late.
It fits and feels like a road bike. Though I otherwise ride steel primarily, this feels pretty forgiving despite the alu post and frame; maybe it's the higher volume tires.
The handling is crisp and stable, without surprises. It's alu and solid feeling under power and through turns. I haul a couple of kids in a trailer and a third in a sidecar quite often, and have never noticed any significant or disconcerting flex.
It has a full complement of braze-ons (and chainstay bridge) for fenders and racks, and good tire clearance. I reckon it could fit 35s no problem, maybe wider, but I run 28s summer (as pictured) and 30s, Kenda Kwiks, in winter without any fender or other adjustments.
Decals are discrete, the satin grey paint almost metal look, the derailleur hanger is replaceable, and the cable routing is sane (particularly the rear brake routed along the top tube, which is positioned underneath at like 7 or 8 o' clock. Seatpost is a little odd, IIRC, at 27.0mm, but I could be wrong about that. Seat tube and DT H2O braze-ons, and internal headset. The fork is Al.
Newer versions of the Big Buzz frame look longer, taller in front, and more slack angled, though the component spec is similar. I have changed the crank, BB, stem, and wheels on mine, but that's it.
I hope that gets to what you were asking about!
Edit: Oh yeah, and the weld fillets are fat and lovely!
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 328
Likes: 3
From: Brooklyn, NY
Bikes: 2011 Origin 8 Bully, 2010 Dahon Silvertip, 2016 Respect Mini Velo
well I found mine less than 2 months ago and I have been in contact with at least 2 other guys who each recently found one, keep an eye out, there may be more floating around. If you are serious call around to some shops that deal with JB importers the one I got had been sitting in that shop in midtown Manhattan for 2+ years and was on clearance.
This bike is cat approved
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,531
Likes: 0
From: Lincoln, NE
Bikes: To many to list...
Thanks. The bully frame isn't bad, I love the geometry, the steel frame, and the fact that it had disc brake mounts but I don't love the horizontal dropouts and the stamped dropouts aren't the thickest. overall I love the bike but it really makes me want to do a custom steel frame in a similar format.
well I found mine less than 2 months ago and I have been in contact with at least 2 other guys who each recently found one, keep an eye out, there may be more floating around. If you are serious call around to some shops that deal with JB importers the one I got had been sitting in that shop in midtown Manhattan for 2+ years and was on clearance.
well I found mine less than 2 months ago and I have been in contact with at least 2 other guys who each recently found one, keep an eye out, there may be more floating around. If you are serious call around to some shops that deal with JB importers the one I got had been sitting in that shop in midtown Manhattan for 2+ years and was on clearance.
I am pretty sure a small shop here in Lincoln actually had one of these Bullys in stock. I stopped and chatted with the owner and showed him my minivelo I think I had the Citta I got off eBay with me at the time. If he has them here in Lincoln I would think they have to be available in other places although this guy seemed to be quite the vet of the bike scene and was committed to selling stuff nobody else in town has.
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 127
Likes: 0
From: Arnhem, The Netherlands
Scored a new to me bike, that I will soon be turning into a commuter (Never-minding that it is a ladys frame) I am 1.73m and it feels quite nice when I sat on it..
The bike came from my mother in law's coworker who crashed it when it was on the top of the car and broke the rear derailleur hook, bent the derailleur, and broke a spoke in the rear wheel. the frame looks intact.. the bike is 2 years old and she got a new one thru the insurance..
It is a Cube Town mat black.

The bike came from my mother in law's coworker who crashed it when it was on the top of the car and broke the rear derailleur hook, bent the derailleur, and broke a spoke in the rear wheel. the frame looks intact.. the bike is 2 years old and she got a new one thru the insurance..
It is a Cube Town mat black.



now with 32c Pasela TG's
$420 total
new headset and bb then Chip will be complete
took this guy on a century a couple weeks ago when it was still on armadillo 23s and it was great.
these 32s with the brooks makes it feel like riding on a cloud
Thread Killer

Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 13,140
Likes: 2,162
From: Ann Arbor, MI
Bikes: 15 Kinesis Racelight 4S, 76 Motebecane Gran Jubilée, 17 Dedacciai Gladiatore2, 12 Breezer Venturi, 09 Dahon Mariner, 12 Mercier Nano, 95 DeKerf Team SL, 19 Tern Rally, 21 Breezer Doppler Cafe+, 19 T-Lab X3, 91 Serotta CII, 23 3T Strada
Hey, now, that's pretty cool! Looks purposeful, fast...and totally sane (e.g. V brakes! I never want to touch another canti for the rest of my life!). If I didn't need fenders, I'd ride that! Nicely done bike, sir!
Stealing Spokes since 82'
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,875
Likes: 0
From: Boy-z, Ideeeho
Bikes: The always reliable kuwie
Crappy cell phone sneak peek at the Kuwie, finally got around to getting some done on her. Once I get it finished I'm gonna dig up the build post for it and update it.
You really can commute on anything... took my Garlatti out the other day and opted to take the low road home. It was a little cooler riding on the trail beside the creek and the bike does not mind gravel and hard pack.
.JPG)
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
My LHT. I fitted it with some Schwalbe Fat Franks so I won't lose my mind taking it over washboard roads when I visiting out in the country. I'm pretty sure I've got enough room to safely fit some VO Zeppelin fenders on there. I just need to get 'em and find out.



Super granny gearing. 34 tooth in back, 24 up front.

After the fenders, I'm looking to get a surly nice for up front.
Super granny gearing. 34 tooth in back, 24 up front.
After the fenders, I'm looking to get a surly nice for up front.
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 7,391
Likes: 13
From: Memphis TN area
Bikes: 2011 Felt Z85 (road/commuter), 2006 Marin Pine Mountain (utility/commuter E-bike), 1995 KHS Alite 1000 (gravel grinder)
My MTB gearing goes almost as low as yours with a 22 front ring and 28 rear cog.
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
The silly part is that I live in Kansas. It's not so much the hills that are a problem (the steepest hill in the area is probably only 8-10% grade), it's trying to push those buckets through our winds while going up said hill. And, what can I say, I'd rather plant my leisurely tush in the saddle and spin.
Keepin it Wheel




Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 10,964
Likes: 5,230
From: San Diego
Bikes: Surly CrossCheck, Krampus
The silly part is that I live in Kansas. It's not so much the hills that are a problem (the steepest hill in the area is probably only 8-10% grade), it's trying to push those buckets through our winds while going up said hill. And, what can I say, I'd rather plant my leisurely tush in the saddle and spin.
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
From: Under a rust colored rainbow
Bikes: Vertical PK-7, Huffy Omni 10 (parts), Roadmaster Mtn Sport SX
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 328
Likes: 3
From: Brooklyn, NY
Bikes: 2011 Origin 8 Bully, 2010 Dahon Silvertip, 2016 Respect Mini Velo
Well its a hair more than too much at this point but I love it so who cares. I'd say like $1300 soup to nuts now that I added my birthday present, a shimano ZEE shifter+derailleur and a sram pg1070 11-32 cassette. Now I can call it "My ten speed".
new addition to my commuter for my birthday. garmin edge 200 gps/comp.
i love the size, and it provides the perfect amount of functionality i wanted. it lets me upload to mapmyride without a hitch.
used it today on a ride, but very excited to use it monday on my commute!
i love the size, and it provides the perfect amount of functionality i wanted. it lets me upload to mapmyride without a hitch.
used it today on a ride, but very excited to use it monday on my commute!
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 74
Likes: 0
From: austin, tx
Here's my two bikes. The "before" picture of the blue Schwinn is exactly how it looked when i bought it. The before pic of the red mongoose is after i had added the rack, mirror, kickstand. I have about $400 in each of them.








