Hey,
My current "donkey" bike is getting a bit battered, and I'm rapidly coming towards a fix vs. replace decision.
It's a Stevens Strada 600, with 3×9 Tiagra drivetrain. I replace the handlebar with something more comfortable, fit full mudguards, rear and front racks, and a trailer hitch too… I commute, go shopping, carry junk etc…
This is not an uncommon set-up for me…
Current gripes with my Strada 600:
- Heavy frame! It's an aluminium tank.
- Rim brakes – I chew through pads over the winter as the grit and slush gets picked up on the rims, similarly this means the rims get worn too.
- Chain – I would prefer belt… quieter, lower maintenance, etc.
Currently it needs new wheels (rims are basically shot), new pads, new tyres… So a few £hundred need spending in total.
So, with a budget of maybe £300(ish), I'm not sure if there is something out there which addresses my gripes!
My workplace has Cycle-To-Work scheme, and I'm also very comfortable buying second-hand and inspecting/maintaining myself.
by _The_Editor_