Elephant Bike - your modifications

[Dwn]

I’ve just ordered an elephant bike, and in advance of it arriving I’ve been wondering about any useful modifications / accessories. I’ll be going for the one with a front tray rather than the basket and will be using it mainly for shopping trips (perhaps the odd excursion along the canal path as well).

I will be fitting a B17 saddle (got an old one lying around) but wondered if anyone else has fitted anything that proved to be useful?

thanks

 

[sheddy]

Does it come with a trunk ?

sorry...

 

[Dwn]

Does it come with a trunk ?

sorry...

Hahaha - the rear rack looks big enough to have one fitted!

 

[palinurus]

I haven't made any modifications. One thing I would like is front and rear dynamo lighting- so it's always ready to go shopping. The wheels aren't the best on mine so perhaps will eventually have them rebuilt and have a hub brake/ dynamo hub up front.

I haven't even got around to changing the terrible saddle since I rarely ride it more than a few miles.

Useful stuff:

Really big panniers.

Stretchy luggage straps & bungees.

 

[palinurus]

A rack-mounted rear light is a good thing- I have a B&M Toplight, battery version.

 

[palinurus]

Some sort of front light that will fit on the fork mount (since anything on the handlebar will be obscured by shopping)

 

[Dwn]

I’ve got a rear rack light in the shed, so should able to use that - although being retired means I have the luxury of not cycling outside the hours of daylight. Extra large panniers definitely of interest, and bungees will be useful

 

[mickle]

Shi**no Nexus zinc plated chain.

 

[IaninSheffield]

As I've toured on mine, I added a bottle cage bracket for the stem post, but that might be unnecessary if you'll only be on shopping trips.

 

[Dwn]

As I've toured on mine, I added a bottle cage bracket for the stem post, but that might be unnecessary if you'll only be on shopping trips.

Ian, did you use standard panniers or go for something larger?

 

[IaninSheffield]

Ian, did you use standard panniers or go for something larger?

For touring, I just used the panniers I normally use with my touring bike:
https://www.cyclechat.net/threads/riding-an-elephant-bike-over-the-pennines.254027/post-5760524

 

[Juliansou]

Two elephant bike posts in one evening!!
l‘ve added brown bar handles & a brown saddle just to give it a slightly more ‘retro’ look. I’ve got the basket and tray but have cobbled together a dog carrier for the front & a shopping box with a cargo net on the rear. Insulated drinks carrier for the coffee on the bars.

 

[Dwn]

That looks very classy - the saddle and bar grips really complement the frame colours

 

[Juliansou]

That looks very classy - the saddle and bar grips really complement the frame colours

Cheers👍🏻

 

[IaninSheffield]

Folks might like to know that Spa Cycles have a clearance on 24" Schwalbe Marathons at the moment - £6.00 https://www.spacycles.co.uk/m14b0s142p1092/SCHWALBE-Marathon-HS368
Good for your Elephant Bike front wheel.