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A G.O.O.D. Bike?

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A G.O.O.D. Bike?

Old 03-25-12, 10:06 PM
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A G.O.O.D. Bike?

The acronym GOOD stands for Get Out Of Dodge, meaning having to leave in a hurry, possibly permanently. The subject of GOOD bags is debated alot as to what one would pack in a backpack or satchel for quick evacuation. This thread is't about what you may wish to take, but rather putting together a bike, and possibly a trailer for the purpose.

I'm starting with a Specialized Crossroads, and would like suggestons for durable components for it. I previously installed gripshifters on it, and got a set of bags for it today at a yard sale. Suggestion for a rack, a new brakeset etc would be greatly appreciated.
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Old 03-25-12, 10:31 PM
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Originally Posted by WickedThump
The acronym GOOD stands for Get Out Of Dodge, meaning having to leave in a hurry, possibly permanently. The subject of GOOD bags is debated alot as to what one would pack in a backpack or satchel for quick evacuation. This thread is't about what you may wish to take, but rather putting together a bike, and possibly a trailer for the purpose.

I'm starting with a Specialized Crossroads, and would like suggestons for durable components for it. I previously installed gripshifters on it, and got a set of bags for it today at a yard sale. Suggestion for a rack, a new brakeset etc would be greatly appreciated.

I'd Xtracycle it: https://www.xtracycle.com/cargo-bicyc...assic-kit.html or ideally I'd start with a Surly Big Dummy.
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Old 03-26-12, 05:59 AM
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Are we talking one person- one bike?
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Old 03-26-12, 08:38 AM
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Yeah, a one-person bike.
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Old 03-26-12, 09:20 AM
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I would also Xtracycle it but if you do not want to spend the money then Old Man Mountain makes some very durable and still affordable racks. For components if durability is key I would take those grip shifters off first and run Paul Thumbies or even the old trigger shifters. Everything inside a grip shift is plastic and they fail pretty regularly.

Next would be strong wheels and tires, look at what the touring guys are doing here. Schwalbe Mondials are the new version of the legendary Marathons, then get a good 36 spoke wheelset built by someone who knows what they are doing. Lots of good choices on wheels but a decent start is Shimano hubs with Rhyno Lite rims.

Your brakes should be just fine. But if you really want a **** hit the fan and I need something that can be repaired easily without specialty parts I would find a bike with 26 inch wheels, you can find tubes and tires for them anywhere, 700c stuff is no where near as common, especially heavier duty 700c stuff. Even big department stores will carry tires that will work for 26in wheels, they might be of poor quality but it is certainly better than riding on the rims.

It all really comes down to how serious do you want to take this and how much money are you willing to spend to get the best set up possible.
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Old 03-26-12, 09:59 PM
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I won't say cost is no object, but I could get rid of the crossroads in favor or something that's sturdier overall. I think I'd favor a bike + trailer set-up vs. xtracycle. The crossroads has 26" rims, but they're not very good quality, and neither is the crankset. A lot of the pawnshops are putting out bikes that have been in storage so maybe I can find something "good".
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Old 03-26-12, 10:00 PM
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The xtracycle and the Surly are designs I have not seen before. I'd definitely like to give one or the other a test ride.
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Old 03-27-12, 08:29 AM
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Do you ever come near Colorado Springs? If so you are more than welcome to give my Xtracycle a test ride and see if it is something you want to invest in.
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Old 03-28-12, 07:28 AM
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Originally Posted by nubcake
Do you ever come near Colorado Springs? If so you are more than welcome to give my Xtracycle a test ride and see if it is something you want to invest in.
I get down there every now and then. Might be heading to Pueblo this weekend to look at a telescope. I'll PM if I can stop awhile.
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Old 03-28-12, 09:38 AM
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Originally Posted by WickedThump
The xtracycle and the Surly are designs I have not seen before. I'd definitely like to give one or the other a test ride.
I made the Xtracycle/BD suggestion because unlike a trailer and a bike it's one piece... Just a bike that's a little longer Also no need to keep an additional size of spare tubes.
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Old 03-28-12, 11:10 AM
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Originally Posted by WickedThump
I won't say cost is no object, but I could get rid of the crossroads in favor or something that's sturdier overall. I think I'd favor a bike + trailer set-up vs. xtracycle. The crossroads has 26" rims, but they're not very good quality, and neither is the crankset. A lot of the pawnshops are putting out bikes that have been in storage so maybe I can find something "good".
I thought the CrossRoads had 700c wheels.
What is the total weight of gear you're intending on carrying?
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Old 03-28-12, 07:23 PM
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Have a look at an Extrawheel trailer. https://www.extrawheel.com/
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Old 03-29-12, 11:21 AM
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Originally Posted by WickedThump
I get down there every now and then. Might be heading to Pueblo this weekend to look at a telescope. I'll PM if I can stop awhile.
Sounds great, I do work both days sat 9:30-5 and sun 12:30-5 but it is in a bike shop and I pedal to work on my Xtracycle everyday so showing you a bike is no problem at all. We are off of I-25 and Tejon. If it is before or after those times I live on the west side of Colorado Springs
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Old 03-29-12, 12:01 PM
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Originally Posted by LeeG
I thought the CrossRoads had 700c wheels.
What is the total weight of gear you're intending on carrying?
Dang you're good! I'd been assuming they were 26's with skinnier tires. I was hoping for 150lb carrying capacity. I have a kiddy carrier trailer that I took all the canvass off of. I was planning to use that as a trailer kit.
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Old 03-29-12, 12:04 PM
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Originally Posted by nubcake
Sounds great, I do work both days sat 9:30-5 and sun 12:30-5 but it is in a bike shop and I pedal to work on my Xtracycle everyday so showing you a bike is no problem at all. We are off of I-25 and Tejon. If it is before or after those times I live on the west side of Colorado Springs
I likely won't be able to stop. A friend will be driving me down in his enclosed van and time is tight for him. I will check out your shop at the next opportunity. (GF's son in Canon City)
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Old 03-29-12, 12:08 PM
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Originally Posted by coldfeet
Have a look at an Extrawheel trailer. https://www.extrawheel.com/
I've seen those, but I want something with a platform on it and a concealed compartment for a rifle and shotgun.
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Old 03-30-12, 09:49 PM
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don't forget the kitchen sink
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Old 03-31-12, 12:26 AM
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No worries about not being able to make it. If you are hoping to carry 150lbs on a trailer that is a lot easier than 150lbs on the bike for sure. Your wheels should be able to handle it ok but you still have the problem of if the SHTF 26in stuff is much easier to find in a pinch.
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Old 03-31-12, 06:05 PM
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If you're looking for dependable, reliable, bomb proof components, getting hub brakes and a sturmey-archer 3 speed hub would be best. With an enclosed chain case you can leave the bike out all year and it won't even notice.

Drum brakes from SRAM/SACHS or Sturmey-Archer, or the Shimano roller brake, are heavy, and can fade on hills if you don't modulate, but they really don't need any maintenance and are unaffected by weather. Rim brakes are unaffected, too, but the disc can get bent, and the shoes still need replacing. Drum brakes also don't wear away the rims.

the SA 3-speed hub is simple, with one planetary gear. Derailleurs are more complex compared to it, and the whole derailleur drivetrain is much more complex. Even the chain is weaker due to its lateral flexing, and has to be thinner to fit on a 9 or 10 speed cassette. The IGH also is sealed from the elements.. you may have to put oil or grease on it once a year. Weight and lower gear range are the drawbacks.

There are more complicated IGHs like the Rohloff and Nuvinci that have the reputation of never requiring service, but they're much more expensive.
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Old 04-02-12, 10:27 PM
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How low is it possible to gear? I'd definitely want a 1:1 granny for pulling all that stuff up hills.
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Old 04-11-12, 04:30 PM
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Originally Posted by nubcake
No worries about not being able to make it. If you are hoping to carry 150lbs on a trailer that is a lot easier than 150lbs on the bike for sure. Your wheels should be able to handle it ok but you still have the problem of if the SHTF 26in stuff is much easier to find in a pinch.
True! Today I picked up this:



It's a 1988 Diamondback Apex I got off CL. It should serve the purpose of a G.O.O.D. bike better than the Crossroads Cruz I had intended to use. Paint is in great shape with some storage damage. My 1st mountain bike was a 1989 Apex. That one was hot pink with tiger stripes, and I rode it for 5000+ miles. Like the '89 this one is Deore DX equipped. Price: $115
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Old 04-11-12, 04:45 PM
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nice, as long as everything is in good mechanical shape those are very easy to repair bicycles and should serve you very well.
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Old 04-11-12, 05:55 PM
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My perfect bug out bike would be a Surly LHT with 26" wheels and a B.O.B. trailer. I think a 2 wheeled trailer would be too restricting for when you might want to go down a single track trail into the woods.

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Old 04-11-12, 06:16 PM
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Nice set-up, is it yours? Good point about single track. Panniers might get in the way too.
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Old 04-11-12, 06:51 PM
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Originally Posted by WickedThump
Nice set-up, is it yours? Good point about single track. Panniers might get in the way too.
I have a LHT, but the one pictured is not mine. Panniers could be a problem on a very narrow trail, but you can easily drop them, push the bike through a narrow area and then hike back and get them. It would be tough to carry a 2 wheeled trailer any distance. The BOB type trailer would be much better for any off road situation. The pannier/trailer combo would give the ability to carry your 150 lb load and I'm guessing it would not be hard to have a hidden floor where you could carry a sawed off shotgun and maybe a rifle if it was broken down.
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