Those cheap Vitus city bikes on CRC, anyone tweaked theirs yet?

Nope, but based on my similar intent with my Charge Plug:

Mudguards
Rear pannier rack
Front Porteur style rack (i.e. something flat that you can strap things between it and the handlebars)

I'd only bother upgrading the wheels if it's to a dynamo setup. Dynamo lights are a massive upgrade for that sort of bike that'll get used every day for commuting and errands as they mean it's ready to go regardless of time of day or weather, but it's not cheap.

I bought the single speed version for the princely sum of £130. Trying hard to resist upgrading anything as that would defeat the purpose of the exercise, a cheap local run-around that won’t be too annoying if it gets stolen. 

i bought the mach 3, for the QR wheels, as opposed to mach 1 with bolt through.

have used it on a decent 40 odd mile outing super impressed, might end up putting drop bars on it, probably should grab some mudguards as it's intent is for a commuter/ road riding

ordered a DMR chaintug (the one with an integrated mech hanger) to fit an old deore 1x10 setup i have lying around. Also have some hydro brakes, not sure if ill fit them,

This is intended to replace my current gravel commuter bike which is more bike than necessary for slogging to work and back

Is it This one?

I'd echo TINAS suggestoins Guards and pannier rack will make it a generally more practical/useful utility bike.
and if you are going to lock it up in town maybe change the front QR skewer for a hex key/locking jobbie, people love to mess with levers on other people's bikes.

If it's the mechanical disc version I'd toy with getting some basic hydraulic brakes (Clarks or bottom end shimano?) but only if you can find them nice and cheap.

I'd also consider a dynamo hub and lights, but that's where spending can start to creep up on what is supposed to be a bargain bin utility/city bike...

As for swapping the SS to 3 speed, I don't reckon it's worth it unless you live in a really hilly town/city, you'll end up spending the original cost of the bike again on a hub/shifter/wheel and while it's a nice to have, the range on a Nexus 3 speed isn't actually that huge.

You could always play with the one ratio you have (is it 38/18?) and gear it lower so that once loaded up with shopping, the odd incline doesn't kill you, you can always spin on the flat and coast down hills. it looks like a screw on FW and the chainring appears to be a bolt on (130 or 110mm BCD?) a 20t screw on FW shouldn't be too pricey and would be an easily reversed change.

It's a nice simple bike, I'd try to keep it as simple as possible.

I got the Mach 3 VR. So far I have fitted bolt thru skewers, Shimano ur300 brakes from Ribble for £30, a slightly shorter stem and some curved bars for city cruising. Also adjusted the cones on the hub as were slightly too tight.  Great bike for the price.

I've bought the singlespeed. It's getting upgraded from the spares box in the garage.

Currently it has, Hunt 650b wheels with BTB tyres, SLX cranks with a Hope BB, Zee four pot brakes, Farr carbon bars and a Syntace Hi Flex seat post. I've got a set of guards and a rear rack to put on it then it'll be used for as a shopping/pottering around bike.

^^Zees 😀

they are my go to on my MTB's

I chucked the dual piston mechanical TRP spyres on mine, as i had them to hand

Mrsstu bought the three speed version in the summer.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/stu-b/53059554224/in/dateposted/

As it's a bike that gets used for riding into town it hasn't had any upgrades.
It's a cheap bike that can be left unattended and doesn't draw any attention.
What it has had though is full length mudguards, security QR on the front wheel and a D lock fitted.

Don't think she's got any plans to do a "weeksy"* with it.

*talk endlessly about how great it is right up to the point of selling it a week later. 😉

@cookea, yep that’s the one.

Those bars that tomo has look like the ones I have coming in the post.  Cable discs do feel a little shirky so maybe some cheap hydraulics, I hear Lewis brakes are pretty good? 🤣

The bars are on-one Mary's I believe if anyone wants to order their own.

I’ve gone for Bontrager Capital, because they are Matt finish so match the stem.

Me, precious…nah. 🙃

As for swapping the SS to 3 speed, I don’t reckon it’s worth it unless you live in a really hilly town/city, you’ll end up spending the original cost of the bike again on a hub/shifter/wheel and while it’s a nice to have, the range on a Nexus 3 speed isn’t actually that huge.

My commuter has a nexus 3-speed. The range is OK, but TBH unless you have an absolute horror of a hill and plan to carry lots of shopping I'd not bother. I get to the top of the only hill on my commute quicker and less sweaty on my singlespeeds than I do on the commuter.

1st gear - barely accounts for the extra drag of the hub, you just go slower.
2nd gear - basically a singlespeed with a bit of a vague pickup.
3rd gear - the extra drag makes it feel twice as big a jump as it actually is. Only useable downhill, but not actually faster than coasting.

Currently looking for something singlespeed with a QR rear axle to replace it as I want to tow the trailer (and a Robert axle would defeat the point of a cheap commuter)

Got one of the bargain Mach 1 Tourney 7 spds for general bimbling and dad bike duties.  Really impressed for the price.  Swapped out the tourney shifter, and putter some higher rise stem and bars on to increase stack.

How straightforward is it to swap out the rear bolt on axle to QR?  Is it a case of removing bolt on axle and replacing with a suitable QR hollow axle and QR skewer - would I need additional locknuts, seals or washers?

Horizontal dropout isnt it?

id imagine you need some other bits and bobs in there

I've got the Mach 3 VR Hybrid version which had Microshift Acolyte 1x8. Notice I say 'had'. Bike cost me £315 and I've spent a further £115...

Brakes: Shimano UR300 hydraulic, £32 (standard 'CStar' mechanical discs were atrocious)
Cassette: Deore 10sp 11-46t, £16 (for more range)
Chain: PC1051, £11
Shifter: Deore, £10
Rear mech: Sunrace, £0 (removed from one of the kids' bikes, was in spares bin)
QRs: RSP security allen bolt ups, £6
Mudguards: SKS Edge AL46, £40
Bar/stem: random old Cotic stem plus Ritchey WCS carbon flat bar plus barends (all very used from spares).

I tried to set it up tubeless but the standard Vee Tire G-Sports were having none of that: too rigid/unwieldy sidewalls. But at least the rims are taped up now ready for future tyre swaps. No photos of how it is currently, but this was before I started faffing:

yup, those tyres would sit no where near the beads

yup, those tyres would sit no where near the beads

Yup, I had no luck with those G-Sports (or G-Spots in life in general TBH).

Hang on surely Mr W would surely just sell
It on at a loss and buy a very similar but slightly different bike.

Think I've abandoned the idea of rear QR as realised it wouldn't make much of a difference with ease of wheel removal - I'd still have to remove the derailleur + hanger.  Not too bad on the workstand but PITA if I get a puncture... Suppose a bike for £162 would always have a compromise somewhere!

Was looking at getting some SKS Edge AL's - would be interested in an 'after' pic when you get chance @a11y.  Anyone with a Mach 1 know the clearance for the guards?  Assume the AL56's would be too wide?

@a11y

That looks spot on there.

They seem like pretty tidy bikes for the money. Mine’s being a pain in the arse keeping rear wheel tension with the Hunt QR wheels running singlespeed. I’m tempted to stuck gears on it for the time being. <br /><br />

I've got a bag carrier thing that goes on your handlebars, you can strap a rucksack or handbag etc to it - quite a nice one, anyone want it?

Mine's the Nexus 3-speed. Added full mudguards, Halo front hex-key skewer and a lock

Shimano Hydraulic brakes as standard, you really can't knock it's value for (half-price) money

The only thing that I don't like are the Schrader valves, but they'll be changed for Presta when the need arises

i'm considering this https://www.wiggle.com/p/vitus-mach-1-vrx-utility-bike

only 4 left, 2 sold in past few days

would it be straight forward to convert to a belt drive? new chainring / rear cog

I'm thinking as the back end isnt moveable the answer is no.

@only1mikey, I'll add some 'after' photos here once I've taken some. I'm pleasantly surprised how nice this bike is. Bought it as my previous commuter morphed into a gravel bike that I'm too precious about leaving locked up at offices or in town. I'd been borrowing Mrs a11y's old Roadrat but wanted something of my own that fitted better.

The most painful part was spending ~12% of the bike's cost on the mudguards 🙃

@crossed, horizontal dropouts on yours? I added a single chain tug to the NDS on my old Roadrat (RIP) to stop the wheel going out of alignment - the driveside Roadrat dropout/hanger had them built in. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/265623042922

@whatyadoinsucka correct

whatyadoinsuckaFree Member
i’m considering this https://www.wiggle.com/p/vitus-mach-1-vrx-utility-bike

would it be straight forward to convert to a belt drive? new chainring / rear cog

I’m thinking as the back end isnt moveable the answer is no.

It's a simple no to belting it as the seat/chain stays don't have a break between to allow the belt though (belt isn't breakable like a chain)

@cynic-al, is that yes its easy or yes avoid,

i've just noticed it has a sliding dropout (not sure techncal term) just seen a picture on ebay of a 7 speed, that is the same colour, looks to be same frame

Yes it has sliding dropouts but they dont go all the way through, so no way for a belt to pass. So cannot be belt converted

@a11y spot on.  Agree on the difficulty spending £'s on items when the original purchase price was so cheap, the ratio is even worse for me... 😉

Total spend on mine is £162 for the bike along with:

• £5 Altus shifter (AliExpress)
• £2 B/X riser bars (CRC fire sale)
• £15 higher rise stem
• £2.50 BB5 pads (CRC fire sale)
• £10 pedals (CRC file sale)

I'm about £200 all in.

Weak point is the Alhonga mechanical disc brakes but there fine for what I need it for though tempted by those cheap Shimano hydro's at Ribble.

Regarding fitting QR to the rear, FWIW CRC responded to my query:

"The Mach 1 comes with horizontal dropouts. This cannot be converted to QR, as the axle will not fasten tight enough for the wheel to stay in place."

I fitted the Bontrager Capital trekking bars this weekend, it's certainly a strong look! and a bit of an odd riding position, proper "sit up and beg".

I think I might go for those Ribble brakes but I wasn't sure they would fit as they describe being "flat mount", and from the images, the mounting bolts of the caliper look to have much smaller centre to centre dimensions than what's on.  Will they defo fit?

Aside from that, CRC had some slightly more knobbly tyres at £12, from £65, that I might just buy and see how things pan out as the stock tyres are very slick and it will be used on unmade paths, but not gravel!

I think I might go for those Ribble brakes but I wasn’t sure they would fit as they describe being “flat mount”, and from the images, the mounting bolts of the caliper look to have much smaller centre to centre dimensions than what’s on. Will they defo fit?

Assuming the Mach 1 has the same flat mounts as my Mach 3 frame, they'll fit. Flat-mount was new to me prior to buying my Cascade frame last summer (and I simply used flat-to-post mount adaptors on that to fit 'regular' MTB calipers rather than buy new flat mount ones). It's the Shimano MT201/UR300 flat mount brakes from Ribble I fitted to my Mach 3: https://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/mt201-br-ur300-950mm-front-flat-mount-disc-brake/. I really do need to get some pics.

Re tyres, last night I 'found' some used Specialized Trigger Sport 700x40s I forgot I'd stashed away. Not tubeless ready but I *think* I had them set up tubeless in the past before going for wider/knobblier tyres. Tempted to stick them on my Mach 3.

I think my rim are 650b, is that the same as 700's?

For anyone getting those brakes from Ribble, they don't come with any spare barbs for when you need to cut down the hoses. At least mine didn't. I got some unbranded ones off Amazon which seem to work well.

@only1mikey, photos of my tweaked Vitus Mach 3. Unsure how the frame differs to the Mach 1 re clearance, but there's not space for anything wider than my Edge AL46s on the rear. I've added 2228 tape to prevent rubbing between the guard and chainstays as it was bawhair clearance only.

I've ordered some black vinyl wrap to cover over the decals etc to de-logo it and make the whole bike more stealthy. It's currently a bit too bling for a town bike for my liking.

Fork clearance:

Seatstay:

Chainstay:

aah, that lower mount on the rear, i ended up sculpting the guard to fit on my boardman, looks good though with tight fitting guards

Are they nice and stable?

They're solid - no rattling/rubbing. The Edge ALs were an extravagence for this bike but worth it over the likes of Chromoplastics. I've got on well with Edge AL56s on my gravel bikes for years with only one issue caused by stupidity/bodging something that I shouldn't have bodged...

Definitely require some sculpting (or BFH action) if I wanted to fit chunkier tyres than the 700x40s though as the guard's fairly snug to the tyre.

🤔 that is a tempting bike for city use. Darn. I wasn’t planning on a new bike this year.

Bit the bullet and bought a Mach 1 SS before it sold out. Well good for the ££

cane with a half link chain too so nice and strong and a mech hanger already fitted should I choose to ditch the SS

been commuting on it, 11.5miles 850ft each way is a nice workout. Swapped out the 18t dicta freewheel for a halo clickster 17t for reliability reasons. Also running some cheap pogies on it which are a total game changer, warm hands on the commute finally!

No plans to change much else, it’s not actually much slower than my gravel bike I was using to commute

Very tidy looking that @ally - but as you say, the flip side of this is it attracting unwanted attention...

Clearance on the Mach 1 does seem bigger.  I have some old SKS Beavertails in the shed (60mm width) and offered that up to the Mach 1 and I think the seatstay clearance might be ok for the AL56 - though the sliding bridge might cause an issue, and it was a little tight at the chainstay, albeit the Beavertail did fit... just.  Unfortunately the 46 wouldn't have enough coverage for the tyre width.  Decisions, decisions...

Still, very pleased with the bike for the cost and hopefully will get me back out on the bike a bit more this year as at the moment bike time is hard to find with a poorly sleeping 17 month old unless I take him with me... whilst the big(ger) bike - Orbea Occam - gathers dust.

Thread resurrection

Anybody got a recommendation of a front rack/basket type thing that fits these bikes neatly? Mine's been an underused general scrubbing about/nipping into town bike so far. I think the ability to easily carry a bag's worth of shopping home from the local Tesco would make it a lot more enticing alternative to just taking the car.

I really don't want to spend a fortune which rules out a lovely but almost what the bike cost Porteur style thing. On the flip-side I abhor faff, fiddle and things of insufficient quality to actually do what they were bought for.

Any suggestions?

St John St cycles or Spa cycles will have something suitable.