Buikema

I wasn't sure where to post this question, so I'll start here.

I've been imagining a perfect city bike/grocery getter, but I'm not sure how to realize this bike. Maybe it exists already?

I'm looking for a bike with relaxed angles, upright riding position, probably a sprung saddle, north road bars (or similar), internally geared hub ~7-8 gears, front dynamo hub with drum brake, and if I get really crazy I'd go for a belt drive.

Any thoughts? Build my own? Is there a bike like this out there? The Civilian Corduroy Rebel is pretty close. Disc brakes aren't much for me, but I could probably handle that. It doesn't have the swept back bars. Anyone know if putting on north bars and a sprung saddle would work on a bike like that? I'd be changing the riding position quite a bit, and I'm not sure if that would be comfortable?

Here is one:
Civilian Corduroy Rebel - 2013

Fenders probably, front and rear racks.

mel2012

The drum brake requirement is going to be the disqualifier for a lot of city bikes. I think the Workcycles Secret Service meets all your criteria, but it's got a price to match: https://www.mydutchbike.com/bicycles/secret-service/ Various models from Public Bikes and Breezer Bikes tick off some of your boxes other than the brake and, for Public, the dynamo. The Bikes Direct Windsor Kensington 8 is a budget option if your main concerns are the upright seating position and the internal gear hub.

Buikema

Thanks! I'll check those bikes out. I can also retrofit dynamo/drum brake hubs on my own afterwards, so that isn't a problem.

MEversbergII

Well, they need mounting points on the fork if I'm not mistaken, so there is some welding involved unless you are swapping out the fork completely.

M.

Steltek

A Trek Soho gets you 90% of the way there. Shame they discontinued it.

Giant Doofus

My Achille Oma has what you are looking for, except for the belt drive. I found this bike by looking for the same qualities you are seeking in a perfect city bike. I wanted drum/roller brakes, dynamo hub, a steel frame, IGH, etc. One of the reasons I chose this bike rather than a Work Cycles bike is that I was looking for something a little lighter. My bike is 18kg, so it's no lightweight, but certainly lighter than other dutch-style city bikes.

This is a complete bike, not just the frame, so if you want to build it up yourself, not the right choice. I ordered it from A Streetbike Named Desire in Palo Alto. They also have diamond and "priest" frames for this bike. I posted a review of it here: https://www.bikeforums.net/commuting/...pressions.html.

[IMG]P1050728 by Giant Doofus, on Flickr[/IMG]

Buikema

Wow! That is a beautiful bike. Color me impressed. I'm not too far from there, I'll check out the shop sometime. Great website too. Not exactly free, but one can't have it all I guess.

fietsbob

Have to make the rear triangle Open , in order to fit a belt drive both inside and outside the chainstay ..

IF the seat stay and the chainstay were 2 pieces held together just with the axle bolt .. and the belt tension was taken up with a Eccentric BB it could work

How many Kilo Dollars you want to spend ? a custom bike .. or modification of an existing design by a freme builder .
you can have as you wish. the belt is the big cost bump.

mel2012

You don't mention how tall you are, but I see the Civilian Rebel is a 55cm. If you could fit a 53 cm bike, this is a good deal:
Gazelle Chamonix Pure T7 City Bike (Men's, Titanium, 53cm and 61cm)