Grocery bikes for a WSD body?

Part of me would really like to take my old custom race frame and turn it into a commuter rather than let it collect any more dust. But the expense, compared to the cost of a new complete bike, makes it really not worth the effort (never mind I'm really scared about spreading the drop-outs on a bike that was built for a 6-speed freewheel hub).

Would I do best to get an aluminum WSD road bike that I can clamp a rack onto? I've got really short arms (especially short humeri) so I'm nervous about a non-WSD bike. Back in the day I had tens of thousands of miles on non-WSD frames, but for some odd reason I'm not as young as I used to be and fit is more of a concern. :rolleyes:

I have about 16 miles of pretty steep hills between home and the grocery store (and I'd want to be able to get back home before the groceries spoil ;)), so whatever I get needs to be reasonably light and accommodate pretty low gearing. I'd consider swapping out a cassette and RD for a mountain setup, but I'd be happier if I didn't have to make any changes other than outfitting and fit tweaks.

Any suggestions?

The Swobo Dixon comes in a step-thru frame, and has optional rack and fenders. It has an amazing set up: front & rear disc brakes, and the Sram i-motion 9 IGH all on a very clean looking steel frame. http://www.swobo.com/catalog/product...cPath=201_204#

The geometry looks like the reach is pretty short, but I think you could have it built with their "Hoopty Handlebars" to have the reach come back even more.

I know you are concerned about the weight. 29 lbs is not light, but it will handle the load of a grocery run well. Also consider the advantages of IGH: you can downshift while stopped and you have a nice straight, efficient chainline. As any tandem rider will tell you, disc brakes are great when you are stopping a loaded bike on a hill, and if it is at all wet out, they are the only way to go. Also keep in mind that the added weight of the groceries will make the harsh ride of aluminum more pronounced, steel will dampen that.

If you want to stay with an aluminum frame, at least use a touring frame, perhaps the REI Novarra touring bikes, although you probably would need much shorter stems on either of them, but they would be at the same price point.

Finally, don't forget Craig's list. This is the time of year that many college students are selling lightly used campus bikes. These days, many of them are WSDs and you might be able to pick up a real bargain that would let you preserve your custom frame.

I just so happened to come across the this at REI yesterday:

http://www.rei.com/product/774423

I think it'd be perfect. I don't see the weight listed on the site but my guess is that it's around the same weight as the Swobo that newfsmith listed above.

If you need lighter and more gearing than perhaps a Rondonee or light tourer model designed for credit card touring would better fit your needs.

I second craigslist too. In our area, the listings for bikes are really starting to pick up. Maybe you'll luck out and find a Trek 520 or 720 (look for their older head badges, Trek reused the 720 model number); or other vintage tourer.

If you can find a used Terry Classic - you'd be in luck. It's 631 steel, mountain gearing in the rear (so it'll get you up most hills - even if loaded), mounts for racks and fenders, and WSD. I have one built up as my commuter (my commute is long, so I put drops on it) and it's a wonderful all around bike. In fact, I recently replaced my touring wheels with a lighter road wheel (since I haven't toured on it yet!), and it often gets ridden in place of my road bike now.

I bought mine on the Terry website (they have a buy/sell section) from a woman who lived in NY (when I was in NC). It was $600 and virtually unused!