Utility bike advice please

zaphod said:

I'm looking for a secondhand utility bike- nothing flash
but it needs to pull a trailer, take racks/panniers but
still be reasonably fast on the days that #1 bike doesn't
get used for my commute.

If it's secondhand then your choice will be limited by
supply. And one thing that there will probably be few
problems with supply of are old MTBs. Since you're happy
with them I'd get one of those and retrofit a dynohub, rack
and 'guards. And some Sensible Tyres, e.g. Schwalbe
Marathons. Though the cliff gears won't be much use on their
own, you may like them with lead ingots in the trailer!

Pete.
--
Peter Clinch Medical Physics IT Officer Tel 44 1382 660111
ext. 33637 Univ. of Dundee, Ninewells Hospital Fax 44 1382
640177 Dundee DD1 9SY Scotland UK net
[email hidden] dundee.ac.uk~pjclinchOpen ↗

in message <[email hidden]>, zaphod

(') said:

I'm looking for a secondhand utility bike- nothing flash
but it needs to pull a trailer, take racks/panniers but
still be reasonably fast on the days that #1 bike doesn't
get used for my commute.

This is the first time I've strayed from a mountain bike
in the past err...18 years (ouch) and the last road bike I
had was [censored] so I haven't got much clue what models/brands
to look for.

I know I want: Flat handlebars Index gears with suitable
range for pulling a child trailer Dynamo (preferably hub
dynamo) Easy to maintain brakes (possibly caintilever
bosses I can put Vbrakes onto) Braze ons for racks and
mudguards. A fairly light bike.

Budget is approx £300

Any suggestions? ANyone in Herts got something suitable
for sale?

The second hand market is the place to find bargains.

I doubt you'll get a new bike at that price factory fitted
with a hub dynamo, but the Shimano Nexus hub dynamo (which
is good - we've got one) costs about £80, so if you went
for a bike with a list price of about £200 you ought to be
able to persuade the shop to supply and fit one inside
your budget.

--
[email hidden] (Simon Brooke)
jasmine.org.uk~simonOpen ↗ Ring of great evil Small
one casts it into flame Bringing rise of Men ;; gonzoron

Simon Brooke <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

in message
<[email hidden]>, zaphod

(') said:

I'm looking for a secondhand utility bike- nothing flash
but it needs to pull a trailer, take racks/panniers but
still be reasonably fast on the days that #1 bike
doesn't get used for my commute.

The second hand market is the place to find bargains.

And the only way to get a decent lightweight bike within my
budget, I think.

I've refined my search a bit- I think a lightweight old
school rigid mountain bike, retrofitted with a nexus hub
gear and possibly a dynohub would fit the bill. A Pace would
be really nice.

Some questions..

Can you fit braze on rack/mudguard mounts to aluminium frames-
if not are there bolt-on alternatives? Will I be able to fit
a nexus hub in a frame designed for say a early/mid 90's
$himano XT (poss 7speed) hub?

...and does anyone have a good quality suitable mountain
bike lurking 'unused but not unloved' at the back of the
bikeshed? Loving home guaranteed, daily excercise and
regular oiling. Must like children....

z