Post your utility bike thread
#51
Great news, Bek.
And when Bek says out of town, he means jaunts like riding his bike from Seattle to Portland and back again.
And when Bek says out of town, he means jaunts like riding his bike from Seattle to Portland and back again.
__________________
"Real wars of words are harder to win. They require thought, insight, precision, articulation, knowledge, and experience. They require the humility to admit when you are wrong. They recognize that the dialectic is not about making us look at you, but about us all looking together for the truth."
"Real wars of words are harder to win. They require thought, insight, precision, articulation, knowledge, and experience. They require the humility to admit when you are wrong. They recognize that the dialectic is not about making us look at you, but about us all looking together for the truth."
#52
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 765
Likes: 1
From: Jacksonville Florida
Bikes: Raleigh Glacier MTB/Commuter. Cannondale CAAD5, Windsor Timeline fixed gear
Just noticed that I haent posted a pic of my bike yet. Its not much to look at, but it is the one getting all the miles while the other 3 just sit at home
#53
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 255
Likes: 0
From: Baton Rouge LA
Bikes: Bianchi Castro Valley, Cannondale Synapse hi-Mod, Trek T200 tandem, Cannondale Carbon Rush, KHS flite 100, Specialized Allez Elite (TT set-up), FreeAgent Ambush 24
#54
totally louche
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 18,023
Likes: 12
From: A land that time forgot
Bikes: the ever shifting stable loaded with comfortable road bikes and city and winter bikes
pics of the new in town utility bike.
these bikes are four casers... two up front, one case each side in back...
for comparision, OLD utility bike on left. Frame broke last year after ten years of heavy use.
NEW utility bike on right.
I envision a Critical Mass with 15-20 (empty) banana boxes strapped to the rear baskets on boards, a la third world utility bikes....
these bikes are four casers... two up front, one case each side in back...
for comparision, OLD utility bike on left. Frame broke last year after ten years of heavy use.
NEW utility bike on right.
I envision a Critical Mass with 15-20 (empty) banana boxes strapped to the rear baskets on boards, a la third world utility bikes....
#55
Or even a wood rack to put on an existing trailer that would keep the keg stable and not roll.
Nice.
Nice.
__________________
"Real wars of words are harder to win. They require thought, insight, precision, articulation, knowledge, and experience. They require the humility to admit when you are wrong. They recognize that the dialectic is not about making us look at you, but about us all looking together for the truth."
"Real wars of words are harder to win. They require thought, insight, precision, articulation, knowledge, and experience. They require the humility to admit when you are wrong. They recognize that the dialectic is not about making us look at you, but about us all looking together for the truth."
#56
Nice woodworking! sharp jointery, radius edges, cleanly bored holes. Any plans to build up a matching trailer for a keg?
I really dont drink that much beer. No trailer plans yet but you never know. Right now at 85 lbs on rear rack(s) front wheel comes off the ground, squirrelly riding at best. Hence front rack for weight distribution, old hats like Bek already know this
(and still break frames!) Donna, I thought the Burley flatbed was made for U of O students to haul kegs around
update: completed 5 sep 2007
Last edited by sherpa93; 09-04-07 at 11:10 PM. Reason: rack finished
#57
__________________
"Real wars of words are harder to win. They require thought, insight, precision, articulation, knowledge, and experience. They require the humility to admit when you are wrong. They recognize that the dialectic is not about making us look at you, but about us all looking together for the truth."
"Real wars of words are harder to win. They require thought, insight, precision, articulation, knowledge, and experience. They require the humility to admit when you are wrong. They recognize that the dialectic is not about making us look at you, but about us all looking together for the truth."
#58


Kogswell p/r, 1st gen frame with a whole lot of various parts. I built this up myself last fall and it's been on the road since December 06. I needed a bike for camping, but of course we only can go bike camping once or twice a year, so for the rest of the year it's my everyday cargo bike, grocery getter, and trailer puller. The fork is designed for front loads and it works very well. Click here for a build detail.
cheers
patrick
Last edited by weed eater; 08-27-07 at 09:20 PM.
#59
Ha, I know that bike...
__________________
"Real wars of words are harder to win. They require thought, insight, precision, articulation, knowledge, and experience. They require the humility to admit when you are wrong. They recognize that the dialectic is not about making us look at you, but about us all looking together for the truth."
"Real wars of words are harder to win. They require thought, insight, precision, articulation, knowledge, and experience. They require the humility to admit when you are wrong. They recognize that the dialectic is not about making us look at you, but about us all looking together for the truth."
#60
yes ma'am!
#61
The Legitimiser
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 4,849
Likes: 6
From: Southampton, UK
Bikes: Gazelle Trim Trophy, EG Bates Track Bike, HR Bates Cantiflex bike, Nigel Dean fixed gear conversion, Raleigh Royal, Falcon Westminster.
Here's mine as it stands, but expect changes, oh yes.....
#62
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 249
Likes: 0
From: Savannah, Georgia
Bikes: '79 Peugeot UE8, '89 Schwinn Mesa Runner, '79 Schwinn Traveler
Here's my 1989 Schwinn Mesa Runner (before Xtracycle conversion):

Modifications:
Suntour Blaze crankset from a Specialized road bike
Nitto Northroad bars
Delta AirZound horn
Brooks B.17 saddle
Cork grips
Nashbar LDT rear rack and "Townie" grocery bag panniers
Two Cateye EL200 lights up front, Planet Bike Superflash on seatpost.
SKS/ESGE fenders
Michelin Transworld City tires.
NOS Suntour BMX pedals from a thrift store

Modifications:
Suntour Blaze crankset from a Specialized road bike
Nitto Northroad bars
Delta AirZound horn
Brooks B.17 saddle
Cork grips
Nashbar LDT rear rack and "Townie" grocery bag panniers
Two Cateye EL200 lights up front, Planet Bike Superflash on seatpost.
SKS/ESGE fenders
Michelin Transworld City tires.
NOS Suntour BMX pedals from a thrift store
#63
That's lovely.
#65
Crankenstein
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 4,037
Likes: 3
From: Spokane
Bikes: Novara Randonee (TankerBelle)
#66
My simple grocery getter...I fit one bag in the front basket, another bag in each pannier and bulky stuff gets strapped on top of rack...
__________________
May you live long, live strong, and live happy!
May you live long, live strong, and live happy!
#67
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 272
Likes: 3
From: an island in WA
Bikes: Xtracycle cruiser bike
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.
You are my friend. I love your bike and the ingenuity you employed to make it what it is.
#68
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 272
Likes: 3
From: an island in WA
Bikes: Xtracycle cruiser bike
Ive been toying with this old mountain bike for a while now. The wooden rack that I built can now hold the weight an adult, so it does a good job of carrying my junk... and it cost very very little to make. With the semi-slick tires, it has become my commuter, since I only have 0.7 miles to work
and it allows me to be 95% car-free! Coming soon, wooden (lockable) removable panniers, wooden fenders, & homemade trailer.
and it allows me to be 95% car-free! Coming soon, wooden (lockable) removable panniers, wooden fenders, & homemade trailer.You sir, are also my friend and another whose passion and fearless creativity I admire.
#69
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 272
Likes: 3
From: an island in WA
Bikes: Xtracycle cruiser bike
I shall now introduce my bike I call the Bruiser. I totally rebuilt it from its stock form (15 speed drive train, front/rear u-brakes). Replaced all those components with a 1 speed coaster brake wheel and then installed the baskets and milk crate. It is ugly, heavy and slow. But it is also absolutely reliable, can carry a ton and I am very fond of it. It has more personality than I do.
#71
Senior Member

Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,238
Likes: 3
From: New Orleans
Bikes: Surly LHT x2, Raleigh Supercorse, DL1, Twenty
I was in the middle of mocking up my utility bike project when I thought, man a utility bike just is not a utility bike without a huge rack! After a bit of shaping, cutting and bolting of steel I had a 15x15 flatbed. The real amount of weight it will be carrying daily is about 10 pounds but I wanted to put it through some misery before I started using it. 55-70lbs later it was asking for more. . . I didn't have more!


#72
__________________
"Real wars of words are harder to win. They require thought, insight, precision, articulation, knowledge, and experience. They require the humility to admit when you are wrong. They recognize that the dialectic is not about making us look at you, but about us all looking together for the truth."
"Real wars of words are harder to win. They require thought, insight, precision, articulation, knowledge, and experience. They require the humility to admit when you are wrong. They recognize that the dialectic is not about making us look at you, but about us all looking together for the truth."
#75
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 272
Likes: 3
From: an island in WA
Bikes: Xtracycle cruiser bike
roughrider504 - I beg of you to post a close-up photo of that rack. Posting the photo of that rack with all those blocks on it, and then posting those photos taken from 10 feet away is sadistic teasing to a freak like me.
I must see the rack up close! Pretty please.
I must see the rack up close! Pretty please.













