Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Utility Cycling
Reload this Page >

Post your utility bike thread

Notices
Utility Cycling Want to haul groceries, beer, maybe even your kids? You don't have to live car free to put your bike to use as a workhorse. Here's the place to share and learn about the bicycle as a utility vehicle.

Post your utility bike thread

Old 08-26-07, 05:41 PM
  #51  
donnamb 
tired
 
donnamb's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 5,651

Bikes: Breezer Uptown 8, U frame

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times in 2 Posts
Great news, Bek. 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."
donnamb is offline  
Old 08-26-07, 06:41 PM
  #52  
MyBikeGotStolen
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Jacksonville Florida
Posts: 765

Bikes: Raleigh Glacier MTB/Commuter. Cannondale CAAD5, Windsor Timeline fixed gear

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
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
MyBikeGotStolen is offline  
Old 08-26-07, 09:35 PM
  #53  
Percist
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Baton Rouge LA
Posts: 255

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

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by sherpa93
Wood racks home made stuff not completely finished Goal is transport 8 cases of beer 10 miles its getting closer
Nice woodworking! sharp jointery, radius edges, cleanly bored holes. Any plans to build up a matching trailer for a keg?
Percist is offline  
Old 08-26-07, 09:51 PM
  #54  
Bekologist
totally louche
 
Bekologist's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: A land that time forgot
Posts: 18,023

Bikes: the ever shifting stable loaded with comfortable road bikes and city and winter bikes

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 9 Times in 8 Posts
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....
Attached Images
File Type: jpg
dreamybike1.jpg (71.4 KB, 576 views)
File Type: jpg
utilitybike2.jpg (72.9 KB, 656 views)
Bekologist is offline  
Old 08-26-07, 10:02 PM
  #55  
donnamb 
tired
 
donnamb's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 5,651

Bikes: Breezer Uptown 8, U frame

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times in 2 Posts
Originally Posted by Percist
Any plans to build up a matching trailer for a keg?
Or even a wood rack to put on an existing trailer that would keep the keg stable and not roll.

Originally Posted by Bekologist
pics of the new in town utility bike.
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."
donnamb is offline  
Old 08-27-07, 01:36 AM
  #56  
sherpa93
Senior Member
 
sherpa93's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Upper Pooristan
Posts: 90

Bikes: 1993 Dorado sherpa

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Nice woodworking! sharp jointery, radius edges, cleanly bored holes. Any plans to build up a matching trailer for a keg?
Hey Thanks Percist 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
Attached Images
File Type: jpg
File Type: jpg
File Type: jpg
wood bike rack DSCF0394.jpg (71.4 KB, 558 views)
File Type: jpg
wood bike rack DSCF0392.jpg (53.9 KB, 523 views)
File Type: jpg
wood bike rack DSCF0404.jpg (62.7 KB, 583 views)

Last edited by sherpa93; 09-04-07 at 11:10 PM. Reason: rack finished
sherpa93 is offline  
Old 08-27-07, 12:53 PM
  #57  
donnamb 
tired
 
donnamb's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 5,651

Bikes: Breezer Uptown 8, U frame

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times in 2 Posts
Originally Posted by sherpa93
Donna, I thought the Burley flatbed was made for U of O students to haul kegs around
I don't know about that, but the Burley Flatbed is excellent for Portland grown-ups with no motor vehicle to haul many different things around.
__________________
"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."
donnamb is offline  
Old 08-27-07, 08:49 PM
  #58  
weed eater
Patrick Barber
 
weed eater's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Portland, Oregon
Posts: 888
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts





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
__________________
the day job. | the urban homestead.

Last edited by weed eater; 08-27-07 at 09:20 PM.
weed eater is offline  
Old 08-27-07, 08:57 PM
  #59  
donnamb 
tired
 
donnamb's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 5,651

Bikes: Breezer Uptown 8, U frame

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times in 2 Posts
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."
donnamb is offline  
Old 08-27-07, 09:20 PM
  #60  
weed eater
Patrick Barber
 
weed eater's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Portland, Oregon
Posts: 888
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
yes ma'am!
__________________
the day job. | the urban homestead.
weed eater is offline  
Old 08-30-07, 05:01 AM
  #61  
Sammyboy
The Legitimiser
 
Sammyboy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Southampton, UK
Posts: 4,849

Bikes: Gazelle Trim Trophy, EG Bates Track Bike, HR Bates Cantiflex bike, Nigel Dean fixed gear conversion, Raleigh Royal, Falcon Westminster.

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 5 Times in 4 Posts
Here's mine as it stands, but expect changes, oh yes.....

Sammyboy is offline  
Old 09-02-07, 08:03 AM
  #62  
chocula
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Savannah, Georgia
Posts: 249

Bikes: '79 Peugeot UE8, '89 Schwinn Mesa Runner, '79 Schwinn Traveler

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
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
chocula is offline  
Old 09-02-07, 12:25 PM
  #63  
weed eater
Patrick Barber
 
weed eater's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Portland, Oregon
Posts: 888
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by chocula
Here's my 1989 Schwinn Mesa Runner (before Xtracycle conversion):
That's lovely.
__________________
the day job. | the urban homestead.
weed eater is offline  
Old 09-03-07, 05:20 AM
  #64  
chocula
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Savannah, Georgia
Posts: 249

Bikes: '79 Peugeot UE8, '89 Schwinn Mesa Runner, '79 Schwinn Traveler

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by weed eater
That's lovely.
Thanks, Patrick. By the way, I really enjoy your blog.
chocula is offline  
Old 09-25-07, 03:39 AM
  #65  
bmclaughlin807
Crankenstein
 
bmclaughlin807's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Spokane
Posts: 4,038

Bikes: Novara Randonee (TankerBelle)

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times in 3 Posts
Huh... I thought this was in here...

Here's my beast... errr.. tank.

Her name is Tankerbelle. She gets me where I'm going... whether that be to the store, work, to the top of a 14,000+ foot mountain, or on a 600km brevet.




My new headbadge I added:
__________________
"There is no greater wonder than the way the face and character of a woman fit so perfectly in a man's mind, and stay there, and he could never tell you why. It just seems it was the thing he most wanted." Robert Louis Stevenson
bmclaughlin807 is offline  
Old 09-27-07, 08:14 PM
  #66  
alicestrong
Pedal pusher...
 
alicestrong's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 7,769

Bikes: I've got a bunch...

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5 Post(s)
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
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!
alicestrong is offline  
Old 09-28-07, 01:22 AM
  #67  
Cody Broken
Senior Member
 
Cody Broken's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: an island in WA
Posts: 272

Bikes: Xtracycle cruiser bike

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times in 3 Posts
Originally Posted by oldfool
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.

You are my friend. I love your bike and the ingenuity you employed to make it what it is.
Cody Broken is offline  
Likes For Cody Broken:
Old 09-28-07, 01:31 AM
  #68  
Cody Broken
Senior Member
 
Cody Broken's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: an island in WA
Posts: 272

Bikes: Xtracycle cruiser bike

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times in 3 Posts
Originally Posted by rstorment
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.

You sir, are also my friend and another whose passion and fearless creativity I admire.
Cody Broken is offline  
Likes For Cody Broken:
Old 09-28-07, 01:41 AM
  #69  
Cody Broken
Senior Member
 
Cody Broken's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: an island in WA
Posts: 272

Bikes: Xtracycle cruiser bike

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times in 3 Posts
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.

Cody Broken is offline  
Old 09-28-07, 01:47 AM
  #70  
Cody Broken
Senior Member
 
Cody Broken's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: an island in WA
Posts: 272

Bikes: Xtracycle cruiser bike

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times in 3 Posts
Weed eater - your bike is very pretty, and practical. Very nice.
Cody Broken is offline  
Old 10-02-07, 05:30 PM
  #71  
roughrider504
Senior Member
 
roughrider504's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: New Orleans
Posts: 1,238

Bikes: bunch of junk

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 22 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times in 2 Posts
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!

roughrider504 is offline  
Old 10-02-07, 11:03 PM
  #72  
donnamb 
tired
 
donnamb's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 5,651

Bikes: Breezer Uptown 8, U frame

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times in 2 Posts
__________________
"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."
donnamb is offline  
Old 10-03-07, 07:01 AM
  #73  
premodern
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 14
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
[/QUOTE]

Cody Broken,

I LOVE IT!! It is a perfect example of "Less is More" and is full of recycled character.
premodern is offline  
Old 10-07-07, 05:51 PM
  #74  
roughrider504
Senior Member
 
roughrider504's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: New Orleans
Posts: 1,238

Bikes: bunch of junk

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 22 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times in 2 Posts
The finished product. She came out really nice, in a not so attractive way. It will get an Sturmey hub soon enough.

roughrider504 is offline  
Old 10-08-07, 08:23 AM
  #75  
Cody Broken
Senior Member
 
Cody Broken's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: an island in WA
Posts: 272

Bikes: Xtracycle cruiser bike

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times in 3 Posts
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.
Cody Broken is offline  

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.