I do a half-hour each way city commute every day and the Yepp EasyFit mount I just installed on the rear rack of my already over-optioned Vanmoof 5.1 is the straw that broke the camel's back. In addition to the front carrier, integrated chain and SRAM Automatix hub it's just too heavy. I can barely lift the thing.
I need a lighter bike.
But I do like some of the features of the Vanmoof:
- Un-stealable, always charged, ridiculously bright, hub dynamo powered lights
- Rust-free, "natural" don't-care-if-it-gets-scratched aluminium frame
- The lock integrated into the top tube—easy and quick to lock and unlock, even wearing thick gloves
- Low-maintenance straight chainline (I detest derailleurs)
- Dutch-style upright riding position
- Mudguards and chain guard–I ride to work on the thing and I'm not interested in changing clothes to ride
I'm tossing around the idea of building up a custom city bike, starting with something like a Surly cyclocross frame and a NuVinci rear hub (I have one on a bakfiets and love it), with the Yepp Easyfit rear rack on the back and some kind of basket on the front. Add mudguards and some kind of lighting system and I have a bike that's light and fast when I want it to be but still capable of doing the preschool or shopping run.
- Is this remotely feasible?
- Any recommendations on hub-dynamo powered lights and how to mount them to this kind of frame?
- What do I do about locking the thing and retaining at least some of the advantages of the built-in lock on the Vanmoof?
- What kind of brake system might be appropriate, and compatible with the NuVinci on this type of frame?
- Tyre recommendations (Thickslicks be good?)
- Are there any non-janky mudguards and chain guards that will fit this setup?