Best 'practical' bike?

Johnpsanderson · March 2015

Interested in getting others views on this - might throw up some options I haven't thought of.

I'd like to sort out a bike to commute on - purely a 'functional' bike. At the moment I am using an old MTB and it's a bit lacking in several areas - needing regular TLC - not able to take mudguards - and too short a wheelbase to allow a rear rack to be fitted....

My usual journey is roughly 4 miles each way. It's a little lumpy if I go by road (one short sharp climb of about 300 yards), but I do have an offroad option when the ground is reasonably dry (it's alongside a river) - although it is fairly rough in places.

I cycle commute is any weather - and although I live in East Anglia where it seems to rarely rain - I'd like to have minimum maintainence / cleaning (especially drivetrain!) and for it to be as bombproof as possible.

Slight curveball - I would like to take my son to nursery using the bike once a week - he's nearly 2 - so it'd be in some sort of child seat.

If money was no object i'd be looking at a Bakfiets. But I'm thinking to try and do this as cheaply as possible. So 'old post office bike' is the best I can think of - no idea if they are obtainable though...

On the positive side - i'm not fussed about it having lots of gears - or being at all quick...

Ideas?

roger_merriman · March 2015

oddly my practical bike is a old MTB see.

has guards, rack, panniers etc, still reasonably fast, with XC tyres and tough as old boots.

I'm surprised your MTB can't mount a pannier rack, most hard tails can

Johnpsanderson · March 2015

I can mount a pannier rack - but not far enough back to get clearance on my heels. So i'm thinking a child seat won't mount that well either (although may be wrong).

The frame is also very tight on the rear wheel - and I want full mudguards ideally - and the drivetrain gets very dirty - so i'd like something with a covered one if possible...

At best modifying the MTB is always going to be a compromise - so i'm looking for something that does it better.

davis · March 2015

if you're genuinely interested in riding girders...

schlepcycling · March 2015

You haven't mentioned your budget but this might fit the bill http://www.planetx.co.uk/c/q/bikes/road-bikes/london-road it takes full size mudguards and a rack and is available in a flat bar version for £599

andrewc3142 · March 2015

My wife's daily bike does more or less the same as you're looking to do, ie short commutes, taking the 4 year old to nursery, shopping, etc.

It's a 9 year old Spesh Hardrock that we already had in the shed, fitted with Conti Travel Contact tyres, a Steco rack http://www.reallyusefulbikes.co.uk/_shop/child-seats-rear/steco-safety-rack-for-child-seats/ a Yepp rack-mounted child seat http://www.discountcycleshop.co.uk/66/66/778/CHILD-SEAT-YEPP-MAXI-REAR-MOUNTED-SILVER and a handlebar shopping bag http://www.rosebikes.co.uk/article/rixen--kaul-shopper-fashion/aid:794785

NB We had to get some longer struts from SJS to fit the rack.

Works very well.

debeli · March 2015

One of our family 'hacks' is an old (2001?) Trek 4700 hardtail. It's like the woodman's axe in that most of it has been replaced over the years, but it fits very well what you're after.

1. Crud Catcher mudguards do the trick quite well. They don't sit well with racks, but they keep the spray off on an MTB.

2. A child seat fits well - and is also an effective splash guard for the rear wheel.

3. Lock out the forks (by whatever system they have) and you'll have a nice steering response as well as not having to plough through the 'waves' set up by the weight of a child on the back.

4. Road tyres (any road tyres) do wonders for transforming the grip and go of an MTB on tarmac.

Johnpsanderson · March 2015

Debeli wrote:

One of our family 'hacks' is an old (2001?) Trek 4700 hardtail. It's like the woodman's axe in that most of it has been replaced over the years, but it fits very well what you're after.

3. Lock out the forks (by whatever system they have) and you'll have a nice steering response as well as not having to plough through the 'waves' set up by the weight of a child on the back.

This is bascially what i'm heading towards with my current bike - a 2004 Specialized Rockhopper but much replaced from original.. Handy tip of the forks - I am considering a swap to rigid anyway.

andrewc3142 wrote:

fitted with Conti Travel Contact tyres, a Steco rack http://www.reallyusefulbikes.co.uk/_shop/child-seats-rear/steco-safety-rack-for-child-seats/ a Yepp rack-mounted child seat http://www.discountcycleshop.co.uk/66/66/778/CHILD-SEAT-YEPP-MAXI-REAR-MOUNTED-SILVER and a handlebar shopping bag http://www.rosebikes.co.uk/article/rixen--kaul-shopper-fashion/aid:794785

NB We had to get some longer struts from SJS to fit the rack.

Works very well.

Really handy pointers Andrew - thanks!

oxoman wrote:

Carrera Subway 2 is close to what you want

Yep - i've looked at these previously - but they don't seem to stock the Alfine one anymore... Boo!

I'm off this weekend to see if these guys (http://www.re-cycle.org/) have anything suitable - otherwise I think i'll just have to keep finding ways to make the Spesh MTB to work for me...!

The Rookie · March 2015

The Subway is the same frame as the hardtail MTB's anyway, so if it will suite, so will the MTB's.

Johnpsanderson · March 2015

I've bought a second hand Batavus (a classic 'Dutch bike' design) and am going to see how I get on with that. Seems in decent nick and, as it was from these guys
http://www.re-cycle.org/ I'm happy where my money went!

Hub dynamo at the front, coaster brake and a rack at the back, 7 speed hub gears and covered drive train. Hopefully not much to maintain, not quick but I only have to do 4 miles each way so not too worried about speed.

Best 'practical' bike?

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