Functional bikes. Not Porn not Anti

Lovely build.

are they old KEF's in the background? (104s?)

the speaker? they're infinty. don't recall the model. old danish company and really lovely speakers.

and here's a photo of the finished rack strut:

I absolutely love that bike.

Rawland are awesome frame.

Cross post from the CP thread, but I thought people interested in functional bikes might like the look of the Kona mini-ute for £350 from CRC:

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/kona-minute-bike-2012/rp-prod95392

Can front panniers be fitted to a rear rack without the universe imploding/requiring special tools?

"Fitting" a pannier to a rack essentially involves hooking it on so...yeah you'll be fine. Unless I've missed something screamingly obvious?

^^^that is an incredibly bargain

Generally?

If so yes.

Lots of people recommend using them as they tend to be smaller and more usable.

Can front panniers be fitted to a rear rack without the universe imploding/requiring special tools?

Any panniers that designed to fit normal rack should, the biggest difference is merely the size and volume of the panniers itself.

I got a pairs of front panniers for the rear because I didn't want the volume of the rear version and to reduced the heel overlap.

the speaker? they're infinty. don't recall the model. old danish company and really lovely speakers.

Yes, lovely indeed! My brother had some.

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f151/mysisterthecop/190FCF85-18CC-4708-B942-ABA9F3C60269-648-0000006B75E5CFA2_zps1d434fe0.jpg

Seems confused. Sexy though.

The story is it was a Focale 44 frame that had its rear triangle crushed by a car when it was locked up. It was repaired by a (learning) frame builder, had a few additions (shifter braze on onto the seat stay) and powder coated.

It's running a 3 speed Sturmery Archer coaster. Initially it was going to just have the rear brake, but the forks were swapped with ones with canti bosses, so a front brake was added.

I saw it in the flesh on Thursday. It's damn nice. Especially for a frame that was going to be binned.

Looking for a way to carry a rucksack (with laptop inside so needs to be of adequate width) on the bike - I guess front or rear basket but not sure of the pros and cons of each as a front basket might screw with handling? Also don't want anything too wide so that the bike can be stored effectively. On a student budget as well so looking to spend as little as poss

carry it vertically in rear panniers?

cheap rear rack and cheap pannier fit your budget, laptop may not be as secure due to risk of damage so would recommend a very good case for it to be put in the pannier.

I'd be worried that any attachment to the bike would shake the laptop too much. Just wear the rucksack imo.

whats wrong with carrying on your back?
that is probably the safest way to be honest.

"the surface way to be honest"

I'mma use that

woah... not sure what happened there...

i think my brain just faulted..

I sweat more than a pope in a playground - not a fan of sweaty back when I only have a flannel to wash down with at work

I commuted with laptop like this for a brief period. got tired of all the weight on one side of the fork though.

rack and panniers seems the soundest solution. I was also thinking along the lines of a basket I can just throw my bag into then bunjees over the top to secure it - would make things simple - but I guess the cost outlay just isn't worth it.