They are made out of stainless steel.  They’re very durable and strong, and the surface doesn’t get chipped or rubbed bare like a powder coated rack would.  The have a large platform (about 36cm x 29cm) on top and a removable rail.  They weigh about 1kg.  You can tie down a bag or a box (a pizza box for instance) or any other large items.  It also has hooks and a rail for panniers.  It has four bosses for attaching your light and one boss underneath the platform for a mud guard. It mounts to the brake bridge on the fork crown and an eyelet at the dropout.

Carrying the load up front is nice because you can keep an eye on it, and because it doesn’t have the tail-wagging-dog effect of a heavy rear load.  It also stresses the front wheel rather than the back, which is good because in the course of riding the front wheel is less stressed than the back and is stronger anyway.

Price as of August 2010 is $250.  As always, we’re happy to ship interstate.  And as always, if you get us to fit it we’ll make sure it’s done as neatly, a strongly as possible.

A customer we sent one to said in an email: “The rack is very nicely made and I’m please to see that there is a bit of subtle triangulation on the support struts – something that had concerned me as this wasn’t obvious in the on-line pictures. Time will tell of course but I’m looking forward to getting a lot more use out of my old mtb.”

You may have read about it in recent press,  RMIT is running a pilot for Bicycle sharing, in the hope it will encourage more folks to consider getting around by bicycle, and to use the service for short trips around the city. 

The various bike hubs allow people to pick up a bike and helmet, and drop them off on the other side of town. Sure beats a taxi, or relying on Melbourne’s PT network. 

Fingers crossed, the success of this program will encourage the bean counters to take this on as part of Melbourne’s long term infrastructure. 

For more information on the project, pop in to the hub (Our Workshop) or check out the common bike website. After a $5 registration, each ride under three hours only costs a gold coin. If you drop the bike off to a different hub, or stay out for an additional hour, another gold coin covers costs. 

For more information, registration, bikes- drop into the hub at Commuter Cycles or read up on all the details at 

commonbike.com

If you were lucky enough to get a new bike for Christmas, be sure to book it in for a first service. Cables  will stretch, and nuts and bolts can loosen up on a new treadly, so a service after a month or so will keep you safe on the road. Our experienced mechanics will make sure you can get your money’s worth out of your investment.  Like a man’s other best friend, a bike is for life, not just for Christmas.

So, as Melbournians return to full speed for a 2009, Commuter Cycles will be there to keep your iron horse running.

Happy New Year, from Huw and the CC team.

After a crazy six weeks of cleaning, painting, building, stocking, fabricating and spray painting bikes, the Commuter Cycles workshop and initial ‘fleet’ or courtesy bikes are now in service.

Thank you to the legion of friends and family who have supported, advised and helped along the way. I truly could not have done it without you all.

Drop in between 7.30am and 6.30pm weekdays to say hi, see what we do, and chat about how we might be able to help you get from A to B by bike safely, reliably and with a smile on your face.