Mid-life crisis and the urban utility cycle.
 

Hi all,

I'm planning a utility bike purchase within the next week or so, and figured I'd get some feedback from the pros. Long story short, I just got moved to a different branch of the company and my 30 minute walk home has become a 90 minute walk home, which is not hard but a bit much in terms of lost free time. Obviously, time for a new bicycle. For the record I have always been car-free -- I don't even have a license and have no intentions of ever getting one. 100% human powered.

When I first considered getting a new bike my first thoughts were to things I've always wanted but never had, like a Moulton mini-velo or one of those fixed gears that Sheldon Brown always used to go on about. I spent a couple of weeks researching that (mostly lurking here), almost pulled the trigger on a couple of those options, but over the past few days I realized that buying say, a Cannondale Hooligan to scoot to work would be fun, but it is no different than a guy my age buying that Porsche he always wanted as a kid. I would be missing an opportunity to improve my independence in living car-free with something more utility-oriented, something that definitively gives OPEC the finger.

So here is where I am stuck: On the one hand I am inclined to get a Surly Big Dummy complete, swap in some dirt drops and away we go. That bike is quite the geopolitical statement piece and the integrated xtracycle would make it very handy day-to-day but perhaps a bit overkill just for single guy grocery-getting and scooting to work.

I live in the rather flat terrain of the Phoenix metro area so I'd be inclined to simplify the drivetrain down to singlespeed or a geared hub if I can't hack one-speed loaded. Downsides to the BD is that it is too big to try to bring indoors up the stairs through the eye of a needle into my apartment everyday, so I'd likely have to park it in my now unused covered parking spot (I live in a gated community) overnights. Also, it is too big to fit on public bus racks or the racks on the light rail, so full independence is not just enabled but required.

Alternatively I'm thinking of building up a Surly Troll frame as a utility bike and later adding a trailer. Front and rear racks should be adequate for ordinary shopping. Trailer adequate for heavy shopping or even moving by myself (which appeals to me) and which I'm not quite sure the BD can handle. Small enough for transport on the metro without trailer and to bring indoors every night. Track fork ends mean I can have my utility and fixed gear it too. On the whole probably the more practical solution if not as cool as the BD.

Any thoughts/opines from the more experienced? Anything I've overlooked? For reference I'm a big guy, about 250 pounds and 6 feet, so I need something bombproof.

Look at your needs before buying. Don't buy a bike as a statement as you can make a very expensive mistake. Do you currently have a bike? If so, telling us what you currently have and your likes and dislikes are a good starting point. Something like the Burley Travoy can add an amazing amount of utility to a current bike, I've got one and it's one of the most useful bike items I own. Will you be parking outside during the day? What sort of distances are you looking at? Do you like drops? An upright position? For your commute are you looking at 5 miles? 15? What type of errands do you run regularly?

Do you park in a downtown area? If so, getting an older frame and fixing it up with newer parts can be a good option, old mountain bikes are a good starting point and be less a focus for thieves than a new bike. Something like a Specialized Rockhopper/Stumpjumper from the 80's or a Trek 950 can be had for pretty cheap and are pretty compatible with new parts. I've rehabbed a couple of trek 950's for some friends and they're fantastic frames. Old road bikes are less compatible.

If you're single and have parking issues, a dedicated cargo bike is probably not for you. I rode a Salsa Vaya for all my daily errands and did fine with the travoy and some panniers until my kid got too big for the front seat. We're car light so I got the big dummy as a family minivan. It's great for big loads, but there's not really much that we buy that the travoy +/- panniers couldn't handle. If you've got some big loads, a larger trailer might be needed, but for most of what one uses on a daily basis, it can be handled on a regular bike with some good front racks. The troll is pretty cool, so is the Velo Orange Polyvalent with a big front rack or the Civia Halstead. All have different uses and riding styles.

I'm 6'2" and a bit heavier than you and find that there's a wide range of bikes that can work, finding out preferences is key to finding a good fit. For utility errands I find tires between 36 and 45 to be a pretty sweet spot. I wouldn't want to go much thinner than 32. YMMV. If it's a daily commuter, you might want pretty bombproof tires depending on your roads.

No current bike, I've spent the last several years walking to work. I'll definitely be putting on drop bars in case of wind, but I like a fairly upright position in general. Primary commute will only be 4 miles each way, but it will end up getting used more than that. Bike will be parked outside (right next to a security) at work.

Utility has a wide range of meanings, based on each individual's needs.

It sounds like you don't have the need for huge hauling capacity and having been car free you have solutions for big hauling needs.

I would suggest a bike focused on more general use, rather than large load hauing. I have a setup like that and can haul a lot of stuff with a simple rack and wald baskets

You might look at Linus bikes they have both single and multispeeds. My LBS has them and has good words on build quality.

http://www.linusbike.com/models/roadster-sport/

there are dealers in Phoenix


PHX BIKE
130 North Central Ave
Suite #104
Phoenix, AZ 85004
602.758.6000
There & Back Bicycles
1712 E Speedway Blvd
Tucson, AZ 85719
520.261.5565



here is my bike which gives you and idea of what I am thinking...it is pretty simple with a 1x8 with friction thumb shifters. Two large grocery bags are easy....adding a 12 pack of lucky lager easy (oops that was back when I was single and car free for while :) ) Add some bunge cords and I have hauld 40 lb bags of compost.

http://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w...d/IMG_0248.jpg

+1 to squirtdad. I have the same cargo carrying set-up on an IGH 5speed. I have thought about a "utility bike" like a big dummy or a Kona minute at times. The reality is that as a single guy I go grocery shopping twice a month and have never maxed out the two basket and rear rack capacity. Aside from touring I have never seen a utility bike around town carrying more than I can carry on my daily commuter.

Something like squirtdad's setup is exactly what I was thinking. If you have something like that or the mtb's that I mentioned it'll suit pretty much everything you would want. Something like the CETMA front rack in addition to a rear rack and you can haul pretty much anything on a regular frame. Unless you have big hills a 1x8 setup can handle anything you want, but you'll probably want gears if you're dealing with high winds and heavy loads.

Old bikes have an advantage of using threaded stems which can be adjusted more easily as well as cost. I'm setting up a intro tourer for my wife based on a 89 or so trek 950, even with parts, powdercoating etc. it'll come in at around $600, with racks maybe $800 and a bit. For the equivalent Long Haul Trucker to and switching out the stock build for what she would want it'll probably be $1300 before racks. Make sure that you're including racks and any bags that you'll need in your budget as they can be what brings the utility to your utility bike.

Unless you're dealing with long distances in high wind drop bars may or may not work for you. Upright positions tend to work better in urban riding but be prepared to futz with it as you get experience. I prefer flared drop bars (mtb style drop bars) set up even with saddle height or slightly below. Regular drop bars hurt my wrists and I can't get north road or flat bar type bars setup to not aggravate my hands, though flipped albatross bars with ergon grips do ok. But I've got thru 8 or so configurations to figure that out. My wife likes bars with around 60% of sweep but is starting to feel that other things could work as well. Things like bar setup are highly personal and can change over time and fitness level.

The bottom line is test ride as many different things as possible to get a feel for what you like then look for things that are similar. If you like how a bike feels, pay attention to what size wheels it has, what type of tires, what's the control setup and look up the geometry to see what works for you. I like things that feel a bit more like a mtb in geometry, others prefer bikes with a more road geometry. If you're going to get out and use your bike it needs to be comfortable for you.

If it helps.....my set up started life in 1982 as a new Nishki 12 speed. so it shows what you can do with an old bike. I used it in that format, with a rear rack and old (1974) bellwether bags for a long time. I then got an upgraded road bike and the nishiki did not get many miles. I got back into bikes and just using them and the nishiki made the slow progress from then to what is now. it was probably not cheaper than buying a similar new bike...but was a fun learning experience.

Get the Dummy and make a statement; I did. I bought mine for my mid-life crisis. It will hold a trailer full of groceries, if you know how to . I know I have done it, and traveled 13 miles one way with it loaded. It also makes for a good cruiser too. I bring mine in the house or garage every night without any issues.

That would be a bad choice for the OP.

A regular bike with trailer makes a lot more sense.

I bought an Xtracycle 5 years ago and have used it so much I decided to upgrade to a Big Dummy a couple of weeks ago. Over the years I've owned plenty of different road and mountain bikes, but the Xtracycle has been far more useful than anything else I've ever owned.

I drag my kids around on it a lot, but it's still fun to ride without them. I can grocery shop, go to the hardware store, stop by the library, and even check out a rummage sale is the urge hits me. The bike works great in the snow-which I understand isn't an issue for the OP- and that allows me to ride it year round with a set of studded tires. I've gone camping with it, diving with it, and even mountain biking with it- even though it might be a bit too long to do anything too technical.
I know for sure that I couldn't do many of these things with just any old bike and panniers, especially the diving/spearfishing thing, but the real selling point for mine is that it's always ready for anything. I don't have to remember to bring my panniers or trailer and can just go for a ride and see where it takes me. I've pulled my share of trailers and this thing is way faster and easier to use than any trailer. I was just biking down to the children's museum today with my kids on the back of my new BD and we ran into a section of bike path that was closed. I was able to just go off road for a bit and hop back on the trail- with two kids on the back- and never missed a beat. i commented to my kids that I would never have been able to do that on our tandem or pulling a trailer. The thing is still a mountain bike at heart.
If you think it's too long, or heavy, to drag up a set of stairs you could look into a Kona Ute.
Just my $0.02
Jon

4 mile commute screams mtn bike or hybrid. city riding is just easier in a more upright position, imo. Put a rack on the back with a trunk bag and panniers if you want some daily hauling flexibility. Pick up an old kids trailer, take off the sides and top, and strap on a big rubbermaid container. I've hauled a week's worth of groceries for family of 3 in mine. Cost me $25.

"For reference I'm a big guy, about 250 pounds and 6 feet, so I need something bombproof."

"Bombproof" equals "Worksman" cycles.

www.worksman.com

"Bombproof" equals "INSTIGATOR"
http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=215050

A Big Dummy makes a tremendous amount more sense than a trailer for the OP. I don't have to attach my hauling capability; it's always there.

What's the pricepoint on Linus bikes? I don't see MSRPs listed on the site.

Big cargo hauling isn't something I need frequently, but it is not something I have ever had an independent solution for. It has always been a question of imposing on someone with a car or truck -- which I don't like doing, or just paying for delivery of things I can't transport myself. A trailer for occasional use or a longtail might free me from asking for that kind of help in the future.

Wow, made in the US. Don't see that often.


That looks badass. Discontinued of course.

If I was a city dweller with limited bike storage space, I would go with the Squirtdad style bike. For a Utility rig a little less imposing than a Big D, front and rear platform racks with folding walds front and back, or one set and some panneirs. A kiddy trailer with the rubbermaid tub treatment for big loads.

here is a pic of my Univega with a vacuum cleaner I bought at a fire sale. It was a 12 mile ride, over some big hills and even some light singletrack, had to look around it the whole way, but it shows what some basic stupidity and stubborness will let a bike do.:p
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6081/...55d25dc7_b.jpg

That is what I am inclining towards (except I want 26" wheels). I still covet the Big D, but having to park it outside every night is a big strike.

fwiw.... I am 6 ft and 265 (down from 280) and the 29 year old nishiki has been bombproof

The roadster sport (3 spd IGH) is looking like $550-$580

They really don't make'm like they used to! :thumb::thumb:

I vote for bike+trailer. Why lug the load carrying capacity around when you don't need it.
I would check out the Long Haul Trucker - rock solid, can haul anything, comes in 26" wheel version, can be built up in a million different ways.
Here's mine- 58cm w/ 26" wheels. I'm 6'3" 235lbs, and this bike doesn't even flinch at me + a load of groceries:
http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=215185
I started with an old 90's GT mountain bike, BTW, which worked great. I only upgraded to the Surly for a better fit.

One man's drawback is another's benefit.

I can't tell from the original post if you have been regularly riding a bike or just walking. If you have not been biking then I suggest starting with a midrange used mtn bike that you can convert to an Xtracycle if it turns out you need to haul more. If you been walking for everything, any bike is going to increase your utility use a huge amount.
I converted my old '80's mtn bike/hybrid to an Xtracycle and it is fantastic but I do remodel and need to carry sections of pipe and tools around.

I brought a used Big Dummy about two months ago and found out that it is like going from a compact car to a SUV . There are just so much more things that I can do on a whim without much planning. The past three weeks, I've been riding around gathering used books and other things from yard sales that I normally would have to plan for.