Malvern rider,I like your ute bikes perfect for the job can you post a stw normal pic i.e. in the garden in normal light so I can steal the bits that will suit my bike and needs.I love the bar gloves very practical for the ride to work.
Will sort a pic later 😀 most of my riding is at night, never thought to get a day-time one!
Most of the useful stuff was stock on the (Batavus Personal Deluxe), ie
– Shimano dynohub, front stem light w/adjustable beam (up/down)
– Rotary bell
– Huge Bayavus kick-stand (with the best ever instant extension adjustment – just squeeze and slide. Massively useful if loading up cargo on just one side of the bike, or on uneven ground)
– Shimano Nexus 3 speed. Bombproof,simple. Why require more than three? Changed the sprocket and chainring to suit hills.
– Long rear rack (keeps panniers away from pedalstrike)
– Batavus LED rack-light at the rear, with side-lights
– Trelock dual lock. Key always lives in the lock until use. Locks wheel instantly. Bike is near impossible to lift and carry any distance so this is quite secure for a quick stop, where bike is in sight, ie newsagents, cafe etc. There is also a long steel cable hidden in the frame which glides out from the U-shaped downtube locks into the Trelock on the seatstays. Long enough to lock most anywhere. Works in conjunction with the wheel-lock.
Full-length steel guards.
What I’ve added:
– Military surplus water flask (the rip-stop case for the flask is zip-tied to down-tube as no bosses exist. The plastic flask broke and yet to replace it, yet I still use the case to carry a bottle or jar of beer/bleach/vinegar/honey/milk etc when shopping. This frees up space in the panniers and carries weighty items more sensibly mid-ships.)
– B+M USB-werks charger for smartphone etc.
– Lidl clip-on panniers (sturdy clips fit oversize tubes on my rack, detachable shoulder straps, waterproof vinyl roll-tops). They work for shopping and swimming. Mesh outer pockets useful, can dry goggles post-swim. Instantly detachable means they function as sturdy shopping bags from till to bike.
– Spoke light. Because I ride mostly at night. Increases visibility from the side.
– Freeload* sport front rack. Fits on with ratcheted webbing straps. Very secure and easily swapped onto other bikes. Plenty of bungee options for bulky items. Great for camping.
– Cyglove handlebar muffs. These were a surprise Xmas gift. Never would’ve thought of them as lifelong glove-user. Turned out to be the best things ever. Nice toasty fakefur-lining. Only prob is overheating on long climbs, so just slip hands out and hold around the muffs.
*Now manufactured by Thule
Think that’s it! Nothing is superfluous.