Utility Bike Roundup
Over the last month I have been strongly considering the purchase of a cargo/utility bike. The main reason is because my oldest is going to outgrow the trailer soon, but is not big enough to ride on his own. The other reason is to have a supped up grocery getter. What I did not realize is there are actually several options out there.
When I first started looking all I found was the Xtracycle (left). Then I found the Surly Big Dummy (right) frame made specifically for the Xtracycle.
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The Xtracycle is sold as a kit that bolts onto a normal bike and turns it into a cargo bike, which is great and does not cost too much ($489 for the rods, bags, and top board). The Big Dummy on the other hand is expensive -- $1000+ for just the frame, then you have to get all of the components and the Xtracycle kit.
There are advantages to both. The plain Xtracycle allows you to convert a bicycle that you already have. While the Big Dummy is sturdy and bomb proof -- like all Surly bikes. After looking around though I wondered what else was out there.
For starters there is the Kona Ute. This is basically the same idea as the Big Dummy, but the cargo racks are part of the bike -- there is no need for an additional bolt on kit. The 2009 model comes with bigger bags than the one pictured below. The bike is also affordable at $899, that includes a completely built bike, bags, and fenders.
Then there is the Yuba Mundo -- in my opinion the roughest and best designed cargo bike of the lot. The Mundo is very similar to the Kona with a few enhancements to the cargo area. The most noticeable difference is the built in runners on the bottom. These things are welded on allowing the rider to handle huge loads. The Xtracycle system has something similar but it cost extra. The best thing about the Mundo is the cost, fully built it is only $899, the same price as the Ute. However, that does not include any kind of bag system.
Trek also decided to come to the party this year with the Gary Fisher El Ranchero. Right now this bike is a prototype and not much is known about it.
There is also a slow rise in Dutch bicycles coming to the states. These things are huge, awesome, and hard to find.
I know I want a cargo bike but deciding on one is going to be a lot harder than I first thought. Wouldn't it be awesome if these were all over the streets of Conway?
- cfiles's blog
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Comments
Digging up an old post, but I
Digging up an old post, but I just found this site from Today's newspaper article.
I've seen a couple of Big Dummys in town now, what did you end up doing? I think they are cool but I'm thinking a trailer might be more flexible for us.
I bought an Adam's Trail a Bike last summer for our youngest. Works great, we just did the BDB100 Family ride on it.
I bought it here: http://www.benscycle.net/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=2005
Lance
We did the family ride too! I
We did the family ride too! I was the one on a Specialized road bike hauling two little ones in a Chariot Corisare XL. I started in the back and only noticed one tag-a-long; I can only assume it was you guys.
Right now I am sticking with trailers, because I already have them. When I started looking at cargo bikes I was looking for something that could carry cargo as well as the kids. The kids trailer works great but stinks at carrying cargo. To fix the issue I built a custom cargo trailer. It is simple but it works like a champ.
At this years Interbike there were several new products in the cargo bike line. The one I like the most is from Madsen Cycles. It looks kind of goofy but it can carry 600 pounds and has seatbelts for passengers.
If I get a cargo bike it will be Madsen or the Yuba Mundo. The Big Dummy is just too expensive, the frame alone is $1000+. I have also been thinking of just slapping an Xtracycle kit on the back of an old mountain bike that I have, but I worry about stability.
Chad Files - http://www.chadfiles.com
That was probably us. We were
That was probably us. We were flying the pirate flag!
Pedicabs
Main Street Pedicabs in Denver sells some cool bikes for hauling people and stuff. The cargo bikes would obviously be used for much larger loads. I've been thinking about getting a Broadway for my family:
http://www.pedicab.com/pedicabs_broadway.html
Here's the cargo bike:
http://www.pedicab.com/pedicabs_pickup.html
The base model runs about $3k. Add another $1200 or so if you want the electric assist motor. A fully tricked out Broadway model with electric assist would run a bit over $5k. Still cheaper than most cars :-)
Greg Reddin
Awesome
That pedicab is freaking awesome! I do not think I could convince my wife though :)
Last night I found another option: Bikes at Work Inc makes custom cargo trailers. They also make custom pedicabs.
That got me to thinking about making my own cargo trailer. I still want a utility bike but there are times I will still want something that can haul a heap of random junk. I compost but my trees do not put off enough leaves so I want something I can ride out to the edge of UCA and gather some leaves with. Same goes for manure. Since I will also be without my truck soon (if the thing ever sells) I also want something I can use to carry something like a BBQ grill around in. There is an article I found that shows how to do almost exactly what I want. I am going to use aluminum angle, build a modular wall system, and use a chariot trailers style hitch (since i already have one on my bicycle). I will document how it goes but I think I can do it for about $100 and no welding.
Chad Files - http://www.chadfiles.com
BOB
There's also the BOB trailer - popular, but probably meant more for touring than "real" cargo:
http://www.bobgear.com/trailers/index.php
I like the grill idea. They have the Teal Grill. We need to hook up the Green Grill :-)
Greg Reddin