tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post8136255406985616783..comments2024-03-27T05:14:23.738-04:00Comments on Lovely Bicycle!: Civia Halsted: the Compact Basket BikeVelouriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.comBlogger61125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-45076927058466259212013-06-07T11:26:24.057-04:002013-06-07T11:26:24.057-04:00also, the pedals are super crappy efforts you'...also, the pedals are super crappy efforts you'd expect to find on a roadmaster beach cruiser, so factor some new pedals into your purchase price too.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-87117407147794438122013-05-13T14:28:06.980-04:002013-05-13T14:28:06.980-04:00I've owned and ridden daily a Halsted now for ...I've owned and ridden daily a Halsted now for 3 months, after 3 years of Kona Ute ownership. <br /><br />Here are my thoughts:<br />1. It's a "fun" bike to ride around the city - the novelty seating position (seat tube angle, laid back 'bars) makes me ride differently. I'm happier riding more slowly on this - don't feel the need to keep up with traffic. It's quite relaxing. Which also means it's not very good if you are in a hurry or need to stand up to go uphill. As others have mentioned above, it's kind of fun watching the platform not move while you turn.<br />2. The stock saddle is a JOKE. The absolute worst saddle I've ever ridden on. I swapped it out for an old torn-up entry level Velo saddle from the '90s. I haven't figured out whether to go with a sculptured, real "saddle" like a Brooks, or whether to go with a cushioned "seat" like I used to have on the Ute, but I do know that that spring PoS that came on it is absolutely not suited to this bike and it's laid-back riding position. Trying out a used Brooks next week.<br />3. The paint chips very easily. I have more chips on this in 3 months of gentle use than I did in 3 hard years of Ute riding.<br />4. I have a rack with Topeak kid's seat on the back. Works fine.<br />5. This bike is not nearly as practical/capable as a longtail like the Kona Ute. I like to carry a wide range of loads on my bikes, and the Halsted is much more limited in what it can carry. I strongly suspected this before making the change, so don't shed any tears for me. The longtail allowed me to carry several rolls of fabric plus bags, plus boxes, plus the kids seat all at once... the Halsted would allow me one small roll of fabric and one-two small boxes or bags with the kid's seat at one time. I could carry 6 full grocery bags in the panniers on the Ute alone... on the Halsted, I'd struggle with more than two. If I were only carry boxes of a certain size, the Halsted might make more sense, but nine times out of ten, the longtail would make more sense. The front deck is rated for 40lb - I've probably had 50-60lb in boxes on it and it's been fine. Handling remains very stable and the bike always feels planted.<br />6. Just since people keep talking about it above, the bike absolutely does not need a rear disc brake. If you think it looks pretty and/or insist on matchy-matchy, sure, then it does. In the real world though, it does not. When empty, the back end feels very, very light, and all a disc would do would encourage locking up the wheel sooner. Perversely, it feels more weight-balanced when front-loaded, but more than ever, that's when you want more braking power in front, which is what the front disc provides. Incidentally, I haven't ever felt like I'm going to do an endo or even lock up the front wheel under heavy front braking.<br /><br />In summary, if I were choosing a new bike now, I'd go with a longtail every time.anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17404348817398788734noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-74219985106476418062013-05-13T14:04:39.518-04:002013-05-13T14:04:39.518-04:00it really doesn't need disc brake in rear... i...it really doesn't need disc brake in rear... in the same way most mid-range cars in the 80s/90s had a disc/drum set-up. <br />(as a halsted owner, i can tell you) the back end feels really light, both while (front) loaded, and even moreso while empty, so all a disc brake is going to do is lock the tire up sooner... sure, you *could* put a disc on it, but it would gain you nothing.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-75744468789543960412013-03-23T15:24:31.751-04:002013-03-23T15:24:31.751-04:00I've got one, it works fine for in-town shoppi...I've got one, it works fine for in-town shopping, what it was designed to do. I wouldn't try to tour the Greenway Trail with it, though.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-49294830018192595652013-03-01T17:35:52.937-05:002013-03-01T17:35:52.937-05:00If one had followed the Civia blog when this was b...If one had followed the Civia blog when this was being proto-ed one might have seen this coming. <br /><br />But what do I know. GR Jimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01145811568384053426noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-75380113961770383802013-03-01T10:52:17.036-05:002013-03-01T10:52:17.036-05:00Thanks Jeff, that is useful feedback.
Thanks Jeff, that is useful feedback.<br />Velouriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-44044590916157611422013-03-01T09:21:36.687-05:002013-03-01T09:21:36.687-05:00The company I worked for used the Civia for 2-3 mo...The company I worked for used the Civia for 2-3 months before the frame cracked where the front rack attaches to the headtube. We were using it to haul 40lb loads for 6 hours a day with frequent parking. While it was technically within Civia's recommended weight limits, it was clearly not the right bike for the job: handling was noodly with load, parking was problematic, and the brake cables over the basket got tangled in the load.<br /><br />While your review mentions the kickstand in passing. I think it is a major failing of the bike. If it is unstable in windy conditions, imagine parking on a slight incline or with uneven loads.<br /><br />Rectifying this would require switching to an IGH and using a much wider kickstand like those found on the Workcycles or mounting a kickstand to the front rack/fork like the Worksman.jeffhttp://arideaday.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-65806968756403136512013-02-28T17:57:50.984-05:002013-02-28T17:57:50.984-05:00Good point re: the rear wheel, mostly b/c it is a ...Good point re: the rear wheel, mostly b/c it is a 700c for some reason.<br /><br />So, let me revise my assertion: the Halsted will need a rear disc AND a 26" rear wheel in order to make sufficient sense.<br /><br />Screechhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15397676711365438175noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-63203894227795520572013-02-28T17:54:24.565-05:002013-02-28T17:54:24.565-05:00The Worksman is great, but it weighs about twice a...The Worksman is great, but it weighs about twice as much, and features a lot of components that typical cyclists currently despise (OPC,110mm rear spacing, 13/16" quill, steel fenders... the stuff I kinda dig). Also, fwiw, stock Worksman saddles and pedals are of the lowest quality imaginable. I recently bought a Worksman LGB, and I dig it, but the geo/riding experience must be further removed from the typical modern bike experience than that of this Civia (which, i must add, I have never ridden).<br /><br />In short, it's lighter, more versatile, hauls less, and offers less nostalgia appeal. Despite similarities, I highly doubt that customers really consider these bikes competitors...<br />Screechhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15397676711365438175noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-46619347836109279362013-02-28T16:53:36.934-05:002013-02-28T16:53:36.934-05:00Thanks, but I can't find that Civia/QBP *curre...Thanks, but I can't find that Civia/QBP *currently* offers any framesets at the Civia website itself. They used to, my bad for letting it slip by a couple years ago. That doesn't mean there aren't some old "strays" out there, as you point out.Thank you for the tip, I would be interested in building one to my liking.<br /><br />At this time I am a demand of one, I understand all that, but arrgh!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-90662439266355466632013-02-28T15:50:40.134-05:002013-02-28T15:50:40.134-05:00Pretty sure they still offer framesets. I do not s...Pretty sure they still offer framesets. I do not see the MSRP on their website, but it is <a href="http://www.joe-bike.com/cargo-bikes/civia-halsted/" rel="nofollow">listed as $599 here</a> (for frame + fork + front rack and modular deck/crate).Velouriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-70810370550025073512013-02-28T15:50:10.324-05:002013-02-28T15:50:10.324-05:00They did concurrent with the first generation.
...They did concurrent with the first generation. <br /><br />The current model features a revised geo, no frame-only option listed. Must be demand-related.GR Jimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01145811568384053426noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-13749070559400637882013-02-28T15:23:45.500-05:002013-02-28T15:23:45.500-05:00I think the bike would be a blast for medium hauli...I think the bike would be a blast for medium hauling, exercise, moderate commute in levelish (gentle climbs) if it had igh and disc brakes front and back.<br /><br />But I am not bicycle company executive.<br /><br />Didn't Civia use to offer frames only as an alternative to its complete builds?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-8763292868366733382013-02-28T13:22:13.212-05:002013-02-28T13:22:13.212-05:00I mean 700c, whatever.I mean 700c, whatever.GR Jimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01145811568384053426noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-41693549204760287712013-02-28T12:11:28.284-05:002013-02-28T12:11:28.284-05:00Don't forget you have to have a disc-specific ...Don't forget you have to have a disc-specific wheel and rotor, adding cost as well.<br /><br />Also reduced compatibility with generic 26 wheels.GR Jimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01145811568384053426noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-71581055471542305522013-02-28T09:50:20.711-05:002013-02-28T09:50:20.711-05:00Low trail, schmo trail.
Low trail, schmo trail. <br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-18635890480402686662013-02-28T09:20:18.339-05:002013-02-28T09:20:18.339-05:00I am curious how this bike compares to the Worksma...I am curious how this bike compares to the Worksman Low Gravity Bikes. The Worksman bikes are available in single speed and 3-speed hub variants, are made here in the U.S., and are still cheaper than the Civia Halsted.<br /><br />Worksman cycles are built to withstand some heavy abuse (believe me, I've seen it firsthand), so it's not an issue of durability, as one might expect if you were to compare the Halsted with a department store bike...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-60664135628555198542013-02-28T08:47:21.121-05:002013-02-28T08:47:21.121-05:00Donald, the intended use of the Civia is so differ...Donald, the intended use of the Civia is so different from that of a loaded tour bike, comparisons would be quite ineffectual. <br /><br />The ideal paved road touring bike should securely hold luggage in place during long stretches of riding. Provided the rider has planned well and does not experience mechanical issues, a typical touring day sees the rider going 40 to 70 miles and only accessing luggage to retrieve the occasional snack, camera or smartphone.<br /><br />The Civia is based on a design meant to take a lot of stuff short distances often making frequent stops to either get more or drop off stuff. Apart from the small businesses the cycle truck was originally designed to service, a Halsted might in fact be a good choice for people who tend to shop multiple speciality stores. Taking panniers off and on a tour bike multiple times in short runs is a hassle. Leaving the panniers on the bike while in the store can make it hard to access the bike lock rack.<br /><br />Of course nowadays many people in the U.S. - especially in the suburbs and communities that do not favor speciality retail - tend to do all their grocery, staple, and even clothing shopping at one big box retail store. A tour bike may well be the better option.Matthew Jhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10408057524387021992noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-2479456107361770462013-02-28T08:17:19.647-05:002013-02-28T08:17:19.647-05:00I don't know what happened to my earlier post,...I don't know what happened to my earlier post, but "cost" is no longer such an issue in the disc versus vee arguments. BB5s are cheap. For a company like QBP, the extra few bucks per bike spent on a rear disc would be made up by the increased sales. A lot of ppl are turned off by mismatched brakes.<br /><br />Besides, I think it's pretty likely that there's a warehouse in Minnesota that's got stacks of 2011 short-pull BB5s that they'll be hard-pressed to sell otherwise.Screechhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15397676711365438175noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-35542768454631872352013-02-28T04:45:54.262-05:002013-02-28T04:45:54.262-05:00I built a frame mounted front rack for my bicycle ...I built a frame mounted front rack for my bicycle with calipers having made an earlier version for a drum braked bike. I allowed clearance for the caliper to move under the rack and used a v-brake noodle to allow the cable to flex as it moves under the rack. It works perfectly well. http://simonland.blogspot.com.au/2011/06/new-bicycle.html?m=1Simon.https://www.blogger.com/profile/04604488469108285983noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-10173632883587381872013-02-28T01:34:23.950-05:002013-02-28T01:34:23.950-05:00Bikesea, yeah it's possible but I couldn't...Bikesea, yeah it's possible but I couldn't get enough hip angle to drive the pedals - bars too close. Eh all bodies and styles are different, the frame fit not optimal but that's all they had, further underscoring a potential issue with fit for this particular bike and bikes of this ilk that have limited size runs.<br /><br />GR Jimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01145811568384053426noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-18078368067336532162013-02-28T01:02:31.388-05:002013-02-28T01:02:31.388-05:00I rode the Halsted up a mild hill (5% grade maybe)...I rode the Halsted up a mild hill (5% grade maybe), and having weight on the front did not seem to affect handling. <br /><br />The Halsted does handle differently at slow speed than, say, my Brompton (which has the weight attached in the same cycle-truck manner, but is low trail). But this difference is there even without any weight on the front.<br /><br />As far as touring bikes, are you asking about having bags in the front specifically, like handlebar bags and front low rider panniers? The main difference is the frame-mounted vs fork/bars mounted distinction and the resulting impact on steering.Velouriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-64903373025951680482013-02-28T00:13:16.306-05:002013-02-28T00:13:16.306-05:00I climb out of the saddle with my Halstad. I have ...I climb out of the saddle with my Halstad. I have to do so every time I come back from the store. bikeseahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12507897768724000377noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-12723474112700555872013-02-27T21:19:23.126-05:002013-02-27T21:19:23.126-05:00Excellent ! You're back. Nice review of a nice...Excellent ! You're back. Nice review of a nice bikeAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-36571482962642097582013-02-27T20:43:33.736-05:002013-02-27T20:43:33.736-05:00A good touring bike is balanced front to rear and ...A good touring bike is balanced front to rear and works in all road and some offroad terrain. The Halsted, a percentage of that.GR Jimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01145811568384053426noreply@blogger.com