All Purpose Bike Options?

I used to bike a lot when I was younger, but fell out of it when my bike fell into disrepair after a year out of my home state. I never got around to buying a new one since I have rarely had a lot of spare funds since then, but I have often looked over bikes and considered what I really want and/or need. When I was younger, I know I favored a simple ten speed with off-road tires to ensure good tread. As I have gotten older, storage capacity has become important, which seems to be primarily found on bikes made for city use with slim tire profiles. I think I would like to ask what to pick for a bike that will handle a bit of both town and off-road use that will hold up over a long period of time and that can be used to haul groceries and the like without having to be heavily modified. Obviously I would want something budget conscious.

D. Logan :Check with your local Police Dept, Most depts end up with dozens even scores of bikes, that get Auctioned off every so often,
usually the same day as impounded Cars are sold off ! For the Craft ! BIG AL !

Slimmer rims need less force (but you don't want the racing rims). I think luggage carriers are a must (front and back, front for your valuables).
Brakes these days are easier to adjust. If I would not live in a very hilly place I would maybe choose a 3 speed bike, they need far less adjusting.
Bikes these days are sold with nothing and this is really annoying. When I was young, bikes were sold with luggage carrier, lights, mudgards, a pump and a little pocket for tools. Now wheels are always fitted with quick release which is annoying too as it is so easy to steal.

You know, I think the English invented The Perfect Bicycle over a hundred years ago with the classic English three-speed. That wheel size (26x1 3/ seems the best balance between road grip and low rolling resistance, and those bikes are darned near indestrucible. I have one made over forty years ago, and it is still a wonderful bike to ride. Full fenders, rear rack, chain guard, kickstand, great bike. (Works great in the rain, too!) They still make them, so look around, and don't be afraid to buy a Japanese version thereof. The Shimano 3-3-3 internal hub is incredibly smooth and virtually bombproof.

I agree with Chris on this one. There are always style changes when you go into Target or Walmart. But those English bikes work great. I just think of all those old movies with the English bikes riding thru England , Ireland etc. Even John Wayne rode one in one of those movies.

My Mind was thinking Chip and my fingers typed Chris. Maybe I AM getting Old.

Here is my latest incarnation of a do anything bike. It is a 90s mountain bike that I have changed the handle bars on and added a rack. The frame is aluminum so it is relatively light for a beast like this, and i have found that even with fat tires I can get up to cruising speed and remain there without too much work. Here it is



I will also vouch for the three speed as a good bike. Years ago I found two Amf brand three speeds laying in a ditch and took them home. The rims were starting to disintegrate into rust, but the three speed hubs both worked flawlessly still. I could not believe that. I bet with even slight care those hubs could last fifty years or more.

Angelika Maier wrote:Slimmer rims need less force (but you don't want the racing rims).

Not true. Counterintuitive perhaps, but science says semi-fat is best. Wider tires have less rolling resistance than the ol' skinny 10-speed tires.

http://velonews.competitor.com/2012/03/bikes-and-tech/technical-faq/tech-faq-again-bigger-tires-roll-faster_209888

Ok, whoa, wait a minute here: Zach, that's a great looking bike, but what's up with the upside down water bottle cage mounted to the seat tube? I know there HAS to be a reason for that, right?

Chip Haynes wrote:Ok, whoa, wait a minute here: Zach, that's a great looking bike, but what's up with the upside down water bottle cage mounted to the seat tube? I know there HAS to be a reason for that, right?

It only looks upside down. That style is really good at keeping the bottle in when bumped on the side.

Thank you!

Ok, I can see how it works now, and yeah, it does offer a better "hold" from side to side.

Very cool.

Yeah check it out with bottle. I have been satisfied with this cage, it is stainless steel instead of aluminum, lasts longer than one season I hope. I think one main feature on this design is that the metal is not stressed as much when the bottle is stuffed in so it won't break at the usual spots.

Oh, I need to go bottle cage shoppin'!

Thank you, Zach!