I am currently enjoying ferrying my daughter about in a trailer, fetching shopping etc.
I would like to take this further and try to use a bike and trailer more often for shopping runs etc.
In spring next year the Monsal Trail (opposite my house) will open 2 tunnels - meaning that i can get to Bakewell or Buxton on the trail in pretty good time (6 and 8 miles respectively)
I am Wanting to investigate bikes that would be good for this purpose plus a 12 mile each way commute on A and B roads.
I only have at most £300 to spend initially but would be able to upgrade regularly should need be. The bike needs to look as unattractive to thieves as possible so second hand is a real consideration.
I am thinking something like a rigid inbred with 700c wheels and cross tyres or similar.
Any suggestions? Must be a large frame as i am 6ft 2 on a good day!!
Would this fit the bill? I don't know much about such bikes 😳
http://www.rutlandcycling.com/17873/Kona-Smoke-700c-Hybrid-Commuter-Bike.html
If its a smooth trail then a road-bike. Been towing my two boys around for a few years now. Getting a bit heavy nowadays, & eldset can ride now so unlikely to used again.
The Monsal is a very smooth trail but the roads round here are not so hot - hence the leanings towards something like a Kona Smoke.
I have the Smoke with 26" wheels and its seen me fine for off-road, commuting and toured on it, up and down Mam Tor, Stanage Plantation etc.
Go for the 700c - wish I had. The wheels will probably be crap, but a pair of touring wheels should be more than tough enough. All the components are crap as well but what do you expect. I've replaced everything on mine thanks to Merlin. Full length mudguards are a revelation. It will never be a light bike but when you've replaced all the components you can get a decent frame in a year or so.
I was hoping you would pop up Will - just about to facebook you re the smoke 🙂
What size is yours? me and thee are similar height iirc
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£200!!
Get a rack and panniers too (eventually) - unless the trailer has spare room for shopping.
I went for a medium(? - 16" i think) which is on the small side but I prefer the MTB look. I'm just short of 5'10"
As a bike thats ready to roll you cant beat £200, but your heart will sink at the cheap components.
lol at the last comment.
5'10"
So an 18" would be the right size i reckon? Re the shit components - would mtb kit work or does it need to be road specific to cope with the 48t chainring?
The new deore group would be fine i guess eventually.
I used Deore. I spin out at about 38mph so its ok. Depends what you want to do with it. I guess roadie stuff is lighter but you get much lower gear ranges with MTB. Touring bikes tend to have a mix ofroad / MTB.
LX is a touring group I believe so prolly your best bet
Only thing is my Smoke isn't disc compatible - might be worth checking. No disc mounts.
I suppose a disc P2 could be fitted to the front but to be honest i shan't be going that quick 🙂
As an aside - are you at SITS this weekend? Fancy a ride in the not too distant future?
I'm not at Sits.
Up for a ride the weekends 14th / 21st though
FB message me and we will arrange sommat for the weekend of the 14/15th
Similar situation, just won a Burley Bee and enjoying dragging my little girl around with it. Using a Claud Butler Urban 300 that I got a few years ago, before I had any proper bikes 🙂 and it is actually pretty good for the job, apart from the bl00dy "suspension" fork and seatpost (I thought they seemed like a good idea at the time).
The cheaper ones have a rigid fork and seatpost, Replaced my seatpost with a normal one but forks would be a bit expensive for a hack so would probably get a cheaper Claud Butler if I had the choice today. Cheap Shimano drivetrain but all still working fine so far.