Post your utility bike thread
#476
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Electra Amsterdam Sport 3i
A LOT of custom stuff:
cork grips
brass bell
brooks b130
basil kavan bags
blinky lights
front brake
centerstand
rear rack from "Original" model
custom made brass valve caps
custom made brass headbadge
wood crate with wald basket uprights and custom made stem mount and bottle opener
custom made security bolts for seatpost
A LOT of custom stuff:
cork grips
brass bell
brooks b130
basil kavan bags
blinky lights
front brake
centerstand
rear rack from "Original" model
custom made brass valve caps
custom made brass headbadge
wood crate with wald basket uprights and custom made stem mount and bottle opener
custom made security bolts for seatpost
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#479
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What a beautiful bike. You did a wonderful job customizing it. I hope you have more than the U lock to secure it. It's so beautiful that I wouldn't want to let it out of my sight if I were you. Thanks for posting the photos.
#480
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Thanks for all of the nice comments!
I did a great deal of research for this bike because I wanted a reliable, inexpensive, comfortable, utilitarian, good-looking bike.
Basically, what I was going for was a tough dutch bike with the sophistication of an english roadster for the price of something you could buy from target.
Bought the bike and saddle on craigslist.
Bought the bags on ebay.
Odds and ends from Amazon.
Fabricated all the custom stuff myself.
All in all, I only spent about $500 total.
Really proud of this build and not afraid to actually use it!
The only other plans for the bike are some creme colored schwalbe tires.
I did a great deal of research for this bike because I wanted a reliable, inexpensive, comfortable, utilitarian, good-looking bike.
Basically, what I was going for was a tough dutch bike with the sophistication of an english roadster for the price of something you could buy from target.
Bought the bike and saddle on craigslist.
Bought the bags on ebay.
Odds and ends from Amazon.
Fabricated all the custom stuff myself.
All in all, I only spent about $500 total.
Really proud of this build and not afraid to actually use it!
The only other plans for the bike are some creme colored schwalbe tires.
#484
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Edge of the Texas Hill Country
Posts: 146
Bikes: Torker Cargo-T, 1972 Raleigh
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Here is my purpose built hauler (a short bike, not a long bike, but all the extra touches that make it practical are there). I wanted a Yuba Mundo, but could not afford that.
Torker sells it as a Cargo-T, it is made in Taiwan, and was a Batavus design originally (same corporate parents). It has a center stand, and a friction lock to prevent fork flop under load. Those racks are serious pieces of hardware, considering the corporate lawyers limit the suggested load to 20 and 40 pounds. They sell a more restrained gray color as well, but I wanted to be SEEN! About $600, Sturmey-Archer 3 speed included with a right hand twist grip to shift it. (Slick hub, if you have an old one, you may not believe it.) Have not put a cyclocomputer on it, yet, so no idea where it tops out, but you can assume its geared low, for hauling.
Torker sells it as a Cargo-T, it is made in Taiwan, and was a Batavus design originally (same corporate parents). It has a center stand, and a friction lock to prevent fork flop under load. Those racks are serious pieces of hardware, considering the corporate lawyers limit the suggested load to 20 and 40 pounds. They sell a more restrained gray color as well, but I wanted to be SEEN! About $600, Sturmey-Archer 3 speed included with a right hand twist grip to shift it. (Slick hub, if you have an old one, you may not believe it.) Have not put a cyclocomputer on it, yet, so no idea where it tops out, but you can assume its geared low, for hauling.
#485
Truck Driver
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The day after Christmas, I decided to pull the trigger on a proper 'cargo-utility' bike. But didin't have alot of money (less the $600) to spend,
so I bought an xtracycle to go onto the Trek 4300. $500 for the kit, extra chain, and 203mm disc rotor adapter. Now I'm waiting for the rotor,
which was only $25 shipped from Blue Sky Cycling. I've ridden it around the block a few times with only the front brake, I think I'm going to love this add-on!!
I just have to save up for a strong rigid fork in the near future.
The fenders came off the Volkscycle, they go along well with the 'silver streak' theme. I hadn't intended on the all silver look, but its growing on me.
Here are the crappy cell phone pictures.
so I bought an xtracycle to go onto the Trek 4300. $500 for the kit, extra chain, and 203mm disc rotor adapter. Now I'm waiting for the rotor,
which was only $25 shipped from Blue Sky Cycling. I've ridden it around the block a few times with only the front brake, I think I'm going to love this add-on!!
I just have to save up for a strong rigid fork in the near future.
The fenders came off the Volkscycle, they go along well with the 'silver streak' theme. I hadn't intended on the all silver look, but its growing on me.
Here are the crappy cell phone pictures.
#487
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Location: Midwest USA
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Bikes: Ti Fatback
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[QUOTE=Totaled108;10217689]Better pix with bags and snap board in place.
Lookin' good, Totaled108!
Lookin' good, Totaled108!
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#488
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Thanks dwnptrl. I couldn't wait to ride it, the rear 203mm disc will be in monday, but I rode it to the store anyways with just the front brake. Its totally flat, and all residential, so I was able to putter along for the 1.5 miles each way. I'm in love!!
johnnyboy, now thats a proper bike, very nice!!
johnnyboy, now thats a proper bike, very nice!!
#489
hyperactivist
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: born and raised in Athens, OH
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Bikes: Norco Havoc, Planet X Zebdi, Actionbent Jetstream II, KMX trike, Univega and Schwinn road bikes, Fuji Cadenza, Bikes At Work 64" trailer
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The Skruvskar
A book on Rickshaws inspired me to build my own sidecar bike. I call it the Skruvskar, because the seat on it is an office chair from Ikea called a "Skruvsta". It was my favorite office chair ever, but one day it broke from its swivel stand. I had to give it a new life somehow. Sidecar rickshaws are used in places like Burma, The Philllipines, and in Singapore. After reading a little about sidecars on the Bike Rod N Custom website, I was concerned about how they handle when fixed rigidly to a bike. I was considering a pivot joint to let the bike part lean. Then I saw the book about how many thousands of rickshaws in other parts of the world are fixed sidecars and figured what the hell. It handles well enough, alright! Just lean if you need all three wheels on the ground. (The step-through schwinn frame really helps with this.) The cool thing about it is that you can do wheelies with any of the three wheels. I've been pretty excited about this build. Too bad it's so frickin' cold out. Makes it hard to find eager passengers.
#491
I can - therefore, I do..
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Littlerock, CA
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A book on Rickshaws inspired me to build my own sidecar bike. I call it the Skruvskar, because the seat on it is an office chair from Ikea called a "Skruvsta". It was my favorite office chair ever, but one day it broke from its swivel stand. I had to give it a new life somehow. Sidecar rickshaws are used in places like Burma, The Philllipines, and in Singapore. After reading a little about sidecars on the Bike Rod N Custom website, I was concerned about how they handle when fixed rigidly to a bike. I was considering a pivot joint to let the bike part lean. Then I saw the book about how many thousands of rickshaws in other parts of the world are fixed sidecars and figured what the hell. It handles well enough, alright! Just lean if you need all three wheels on the ground. (The step-through schwinn frame really helps with this.) The cool thing about it is that you can do wheelies with any of the three wheels. I've been pretty excited about this build. Too bad it's so frickin' cold out. Makes it hard to find eager passengers.
#492
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That setup looks like fun cycleric. Nicely done.
I got the 203mm rotor in today. Fit and looks great, so I HAD to run to the store and load the bags up with more beer and canned goods.
It was getting too dark to take pictures loaded. But got one of the rotor, its was raining here when I road to and from the store. I only really used the back brake,
it works SO well. Blue Sky Cycling ROCKS, $25 (shipped) for a center lock 203 rotor, thats less the 1/3rd of any LBS.
160mm...
VS.
203mm!!!...
I got the 203mm rotor in today. Fit and looks great, so I HAD to run to the store and load the bags up with more beer and canned goods.
It was getting too dark to take pictures loaded. But got one of the rotor, its was raining here when I road to and from the store. I only really used the back brake,
it works SO well. Blue Sky Cycling ROCKS, $25 (shipped) for a center lock 203 rotor, thats less the 1/3rd of any LBS.
160mm...
VS.
203mm!!!...
#493
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Rochester, NY
Posts: 903
Bikes: 2010 Kona Dr. Dew, Moose Bicycle XXL (fat bike), Yuba Mundo V3
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My new Mundo V3. I rode it to work today as an experiment to see how the extra weight affecting stability, predictability, and handling.
It was...a little snowy on the trip home.
Edit: I have no idea why that site wasn't working. Fixed now.
It was...a little snowy on the trip home.
Edit: I have no idea why that site wasn't working. Fixed now.
Last edited by Arcanum; 01-05-10 at 09:47 PM. Reason: Trying to fix images
#494
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#496
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My Utility Trike
I have three human powered vehichles and no motors yet.
read my blog???? https://commutercycling.blogspot.com/
read my blog???? https://commutercycling.blogspot.com/
Last edited by jawnn; 01-20-10 at 02:46 PM. Reason: caos
#497
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Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Atlanta GA
Posts: 553
Bikes: Raleigh Supercourse, Peugeot Iseran, Raleigh Twenty
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Here's my all purpose bike, which I use for commuting, relatively light utility, and recreational riding.
It's a Raleigh supercourse (not a classic supercourse, but the modern bike they've recycled the name for). It's big disadvantage is that when Raleigh replaced my frame after a head tube cracked, they sent me a newer frame which is standard hardware challenged, so I've had to use the cantilevered style of racks and fenders.
Here's my work in progress utility bike which I'm going to use for short distance/heavy load
It's a 1978 Raleigh shopper. I also have the basket, and you can see the front rack lying unattached in front of it. I also have a 1969 Raleigh Twenty, but it's in such original shape that I don't have the heart to make the modifications I'd need to make it useful, so I just ride it around the neighborhood or hop a train with it from time to time.
It's a Raleigh supercourse (not a classic supercourse, but the modern bike they've recycled the name for). It's big disadvantage is that when Raleigh replaced my frame after a head tube cracked, they sent me a newer frame which is standard hardware challenged, so I've had to use the cantilevered style of racks and fenders.
Here's my work in progress utility bike which I'm going to use for short distance/heavy load
It's a 1978 Raleigh shopper. I also have the basket, and you can see the front rack lying unattached in front of it. I also have a 1969 Raleigh Twenty, but it's in such original shape that I don't have the heart to make the modifications I'd need to make it useful, so I just ride it around the neighborhood or hop a train with it from time to time.
#498
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Today I found out a XL Harbor Freight tool bag fits perfectly in my flower basket turned rack basket. Pretty sweet
#499
Phyllo-buster
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Nova Scotia
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Bikes: roadsters, club bikes, fixed and classic
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Here's the town bikes my wife and I use to do most all of our shopping and commuting. My McBride is actually a rebadged Norman with the big Wald basket. Mt wife's is an Eaton's Commander, maker unknown, sporting the Wald. Both bikes ar equipped with Sachs Duomatic 2 speed kickback hubs to help fight those westerly winds blowing thru town.
I've been a commuter for almost 30 years and have had many hauling bikes and trailers. I have one more build to do though. I've got a 1950 CCM delevery bike that needs a top to bottom restoration. Maybe this year.
I've been a commuter for almost 30 years and have had many hauling bikes and trailers. I have one more build to do though. I've got a 1950 CCM delevery bike that needs a top to bottom restoration. Maybe this year.
Last edited by clubman; 03-25-10 at 08:26 PM.
#500
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: pike
Posts: 162
Bikes: 1 Custom built Colin Laing, a Waterford Paramount & my favorite of the bunch...a 90's TREK women's multitrack, cheap, 21 spds & I can leave her locked up anywhere w/o worrying about theft.
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I havent been on this site in a few years, Im still using my track bike (pics comin tomorrow in the SS/Fixed & track cycling thread) as my everyday commuter & have only driven a combined total of 2 months in the last 7 years (ive got a little book in the glove box marking when/why & how far).....
The health bene's have been amazing...Anyways I "Built" this cargo bike out of random garbage I had lying around my place w/ the intents of using it to haul stuff around that I couldnt prop or strap to my back or fit in my bag but the caster wheels made it too hard to coast around on so it's gettin an upgrade soon..enjoi
The health bene's have been amazing...Anyways I "Built" this cargo bike out of random garbage I had lying around my place w/ the intents of using it to haul stuff around that I couldnt prop or strap to my back or fit in my bag but the caster wheels made it too hard to coast around on so it's gettin an upgrade soon..enjoi
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