i admit to having peculiar aesthetic tastes, and i am a minor design snob. this coupled with my deep affection for my former bicycle presented quite a challenge when considering a replacement. i considered the folding bikes by dahon which offered portability but in limited configurations and at a premium (to me) price. maybe in the future when i can afford one of their better models.
i could have tracked down a later model of my old bike, but they were painted yellow and black, and glossy, which i couldn't stand, so i would have to have it stripped and painted. too much trouble and time for a utility bike.
so i went shop to shop from high end triathalon stores to shady "family" bike shops. in the last store on my list i found it. they were a high end mountain bike place, but they had some limited stock of "fixies" and a couple road bikes. i don't mind the "fixie" idea, but i want a coaster brake. (no simple task to find on an "adult" bike (even on beach cruisers)) the bike i found was a cross between a mountain bike, and a bmx bike. single speed, coaster brake (no cables)-it was set up for adding disc brakes (the new state of the art), big cruiser tires, and ridiculously light.
the down side was that it needed a lot of add ons, fenders, a rack, baskets/panniers, even a kickstand. not to mention the biggest lock i could buy.
the next day i went and got fenders, kickstand, and a rack. oh, and a lock that weighs as much as the bike itself.(not an exaggeration)
still holding off on the baskets/panniers as i might invest in a child trailer (don't take this wrong mom , that is not a subtle hint) the trailer is for groceries/hauling--so i don't have to take the car. and i need some lights, eventually.
the maker of the bike is "swobo" they have some really good looking utility type bikes, if thats your thing you should check them out.
2 comments:
Where are the reflectors in the front and back?????(asked the mom) With no lights...you better get some on there!
Otherwise...looks a whole lot better ...actually good when you got it all fixed up.
I have often thought a trailer would be a good idea for hauling with a bike...even without the baby! No subtle hints taken.
Why do you like coaster brakes better than hand brakes? I love my hand brakes.
I hope you can enjoy this one into your 80's!
Love,
Mom
hand brakes with all their cables and calipers and pads and whatnot really muck up the clean lines of a bike. plus, i seldom find myself traveling fast enough to require the extra stopping power.
Post a Comment