Utility Pipe Dream

[david1701]

Well I love my bike but I just can't take all the 'stuff' I need to shoot on it, or do more than a day or two's shopping in the panniers so I was thinking of getting something more substantial....

Build up a big dummy with an 11 speed alfine at the back and dynamo at the front, haven't really gotten any further than that before realising I'm looking at a good 2k by the time I have the xtracycle bags and that I have no idea if I can get it up the hills round here.

Anyone on here ride one or something similar, I'm deeply intrigued

 

[benb]

I've been drooling over the Circe Helios for a while. Maximum flexibilitity.

 

[david1701]

I likey but I don't think I'd ever want the tandem function and I'd really like to go for belt drive n disks for the whole riding in civvies thing

 

[david1701]

hmmm the Ute has potential

 

[david1701]

I found a place in brizzle that carries big dummy ute and mundo so could be worth the train up...

 

[Scoosh]

How often do you need to carry all the stuff ?

If you love your bike, don't need to carry all the stuff that often, how about a trailer ?

They come in all sorts of configurations and I'm sure you'd be able to find something suitable.

 

[david1701]

the thing is I kinda want something I can ride in civvies which my tricross in't (though it is AMAZING fun) with a comfy upright position and big fat tyres I was thinking of building up a hub geared rigid mtb frame with fat cruiser tyres and swept back bars. But if I'm gonna do all that then I could go for a cargo bike for more money but no more build effort really and then I could carry all my shoot.

Vs a trailer on my a fat comfy bike I could do everything but I'd have to have a trailer which means handling changes and dicking around, then theres the unlikely possibility of me not drowning today which would make a surf board carrying bike useful

 

[david1701]

mmmmmm I need to find me a frame as the thought has just occured to me that I have a full sus mtb laying around with nice low gearing strong 26" rims and crappy v brakes. Gonna strip it to the frame transfer all the bits I can and have a working long bike. Then when I can afford it I'll add a hub gear and dynamo front hub and all the really nice things as a way to spread out the cost

Either that or my current general purpose hardtail which has a front disk and is far too big for me...... Even better

 

[Zoiders]

Bob-yak trailer copy from ebay.

Second hand rigid MTB, that's about all you need.

 

[david1701]

like this zoiders?

 

[MacB]

as you know it depends on what you want to spend but I'd be tempted by the trailer option myself, or even a couple of different trailers. For the big stuff get a Carry Freedom Y frame in large and then maybe a Bob Yak or Xtra wheel thing for less. I still lust after the CF but other stuff eats into the budget. Easy to set up as well you just leave a hitch on whatever bikes you want to use it with.

If I was regularly carrying large loads then I'd look at a cargo specific bike otherwise I'd rather build something up, or use an existing, but add in a trailer as and when. That way you can have a more versatile bike, maybe a big clearance 700c, or a 29er or a rigid 26".

That said I do understand your hankerings, I keep seeing builds around the Surly Pugsley and I want one, no idea what I'd need it for, but I like them.

 

[david1701]

same thing on the pugsley it just looks cool but when would I ever want 4" tyres

so I'm still hunting for a bike to ride in civvies, ah well will keep my eyes open

I'm with you on the trailer, I reckon I could pack that thing up with my peli and lightstands for most jobs, its only really if I were to get into surfing that I'd need something longer and right now I don't own a board

 

[Zoiders]

like this zoiders?

That's the baby, just add an immersion bag, I picked up a water proof immersion bag from Aldi for about £15 as well.

It's one of their loss leading products they do twice a year but it's a top quality bit of kit and will drop in just fine.

 

[david1701]

sweet, well I'm thinking pelican case for it

 

[beatlejuice]

Like the OP I too would like a bike with Alfine 11 speed hub, disc brakes, fairly upright riding position, dynamo lighting, panniers, mudguards etc. for use in a town with nasty steep hills. I want to be able to wear a white pair of trousers and not get grease on them like I did these morning. Please could some one like On One make one please.