Monday, April 11, 2011

New Bike Love

Photo by Todd, of Clever Cycles

Meet our new family bike!

She's a Workcycles Fr8 Uni, and we adore her.  We added skirt guards, a front pickup rack, an extra-long rear rack (one day we'll be able to fit two GMG 911 child seats on the back), a Yepp Maxi child seat (for Little), and a child saddle (for Big) up front.  We also picked out some Clever Chimp panniers and a large, covered wicker basket for the pickup rack (arriving soon in the mail).  I look forward to snapping a few more photos of all her delicious details once we have a brief window of sun around here.

More later on our new ride.  For now, we're off to enjoy her!

13 comments:

  1. Love it!!! I didn't know you were thinking of getting a WorkCycles bike. They are da bomb. I've been test riding some other bikes lately (posts to come) and nothing compares to the sturdiness of my WorkCycles Oma. I can't wait to read more and see more pictures!

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  2. Where did you find a large covered basket?


    TIA:)

    Fiona

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  3. - Ms. Ding: Thanks! I ordered the bike in the autumn after riding a cross-frame version of the Fr8 (the Fr8 Kruis) and deciding that I really needed a step-through frame. I was actually pretty torn between the Oma-type bikes and this one for awhile. Ultimately, I knew that I wanted to be able to use the front saddle for Big, and to carry very large, heavy loads of books on a bike designed specifically for lots of cargo. I'll look for more reviews on your blog soon!

    - Fiona: The basket is one from Basil that Clever Cycles, the Portland shop which ordered my bike for me, usually stocks. They happened to be out when my bike arrived, and so they're going to mail one to me. You can find more information on the Basil website: http://www.basil.nl/gb/assortment/. I'm sure that Clever Cycles would order one for you, but I'm guessing that you already know of a local bike shop that stocks Basil products. Good luck! I look forward to reading more about your new bike, too.

    - Heather: I can't wait to get out for a ride with you soon!

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  4. - Fiona: I forgot to mention the other covered basket option I considered. Have you seen David Hembrow's baskets? He offers custom baskets, made by hand, for which I've read a some very enthusiastic reviews.

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  5. Emily,

    Thanks!!! plus though I do live in Canada I'm a fellow, or Sister Oregonian:) I'm from Portland!! I'll check out the Basil site and see what I can do either up here through a local LBS or through Clever Cycles.

    Fi

    P.S. I've been lusting after a David Hembrow Basket for a year now:) lol

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  6. LOVE it! Well-accessorized, too.

    You may have a plan for this, and I don't know how necessary it is, but I've been keeping a dutch seat cover on the saddle/springs when the little's on the rear seat, and I think Todd might have used a piece of old innnertube zip-tied around the springs, just to keep wee fingers out of the springs. Brooks makes a doohickey for that too.

    PS Trying to set up an early dinner on Friday or some such thing with biking Eugene families like yourself, Shane & Missy, Paul & clan, etc. I'm down for a conference, will bring bike!

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  7. julian, i attached inner-tube spring cover moments after snapping photo...

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  8. - Fiona: Small world. :) Good luck restoring your bike!

    - Julian: Thanks for the tip. It's true, they took good care of us at Clever Cycles. And how could I not love a bike shop with good kids' books and a well-stocked play area?

    We'd love to meet up with you on Friday evening! I'll be in touch.

    - Todd: Thank you for all your help! We are having a ball on our new bike. I've never had so much fun running errands in my life.

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  9. Uff da!

    The work thing is in Portland, as it turns out. I am an idiot. Good thing I figured that out today, rather than tomorrow.

    But would still love to meet the Eugene family biking crew, hope to maybe visit this summer ...

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  10. Julian, this sounds like something I would do! See you next time.

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  11. I love my Workcycle, and can't wait to hear more about your Fr8 set-up! Thanks for sharing your bikey adventures.. love the blog!

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  12. Thanks, Pedalandbloom! I just checked out your blog, too. I'd love to read more about touring with kids. That's an area I can't even begin to imagine...

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