Versatile urban travel: the Felt X-City 1 bike, and the folding Dahon Jack bike for under $600.

Related posts:

1. Dahon Jack: An Inexpensive Folding Commuter Bike I’ve been testing a folding commuter bike, the Dahon...
2. Efficient: Inexpensive, Folding, Full-Size Bikes The Dahon Jack folding bike. It weighs 28.4 pounds...
3. The Best Folding Bikes Of 2008: A Review Folding bikes are useful for anyone interested in taking...

If you are interested in carrying cargo on your bike you should consider a dedicated “cargo bike” or “utility bike”. These bikes are great for transporting luggage while commuting, touring or running errands.

Cargo bikes feature a long wheel base for more space on the rear luggage rack. They usually have a strong frame and wheels to carry more weight on and around the rear wheel.

Cargo bikes offer better handling than bike equipped with bike trailers or panniers (side saddles for bikes) — they do not fall over as easily because they have a low center of gravity.

Some owners even use them to carry large pieces of furniture around town. Check out this video:

Click here to view the embedded video.

Here’s a round-up of some of the cargo carrying bikes available today:

The Kona Ute Cargo Bike

The Kona Ute cargo bike was recently introduced into the market by the Kona (based in Washington). It received a lot of press attention, and with good reason, because it is a fine cargo bike.

The Ute features a huge rack which is capable of carrying four panniers, and a couple of passengers. This bike’s geometry is designed to make carrying groceries on your bike a breeze. It has an extended utility frame made out of butted 7005 aluminum for heavy load-carrying ability. It also comes with some nice additions like fenders and quality handlebar grips.

Here’s a in-depth review of this bike from BikeHugger.

The Ute Cargo Bike sells for about $899 from REI.

Link: Kona Ute

The Xtracycle + Surly’s Big Dummy

An Xtracycle FreeRadical system is a frame extender that moves your rear wheel further back and increases the stowage capacity of your bicycle. Basically, it transforms your bike into a longtail or cargo bike. The Xtracycle also comes with racks and straps for securing the extra cargo onto your bike. Because it is permanently affixed to your bicycle, it allows you to spontaneously buy groceries, or pick up twenty library books, when you may have left the panniers or trailer at home with a conventional system.

The Xtracycle system costs about $489. It’s available from Jenson USA.

There’s also a longbike called the Big Dummy that is specifically design to work with an Xtracycle (see below).

The Surly Big Dummy Cargo Bike

The Big Dummy cargo bike by Surly was specifically design to integrate with the Xtracycle system. The Surly company has a reputation for building very strong bicycles, and this one is no exception. It also has long wheel base and a low center of gravity to keep you from tipping over when carrying loads. See a detailed review here by Commute By Bike.

The Big Dummy sells for $2400 to $2600. It’s available from Amazon and Jenson USA.

Link: Surly Big Dummy

The Yuba Mundo

Yuba is a German company that specializes in making longtail utility bikes like the Mundo. This bicycle has a large, integrated cargo platform for easy loading. The bike’s frame is built with steel, and it features reinforced rims, axles, cranks, with cargo-strength tires. Velovision Magazine (which covers commuter and cargo bikes) recently reviewed this bike, and they described it thus:

A heavy-duty hauler which can carry loads and people in a way that was previously simply beyond a normal bike.

Amazingly, the Mundo bike can carry up to 440 lbs of cargo, or up to three passengers. It comes in two models: 1-speed and 6-speed. It sells for about $900.

Link: Yuba

The Bilenky

Russ Roca has posted a great review of the Bilenky cargo bike on his Bike Commuters site. After 300 miles of test riding, he says the Bilenky is better than the Xtracycle or LongJohn cargo bikes. Here’s his summary:

Compared to a Bakfiets and LongJohn, I prefer the Bilenky for many reasons. One of them is weight. I think my Bilenky weighs in at about 45lbs. A Bakfiets with a box is about 90lbs. Not sure about the Long John, but I am almost positive it’s more than 45lbs. The Bilenky is also made to take a derailleur system (or can be customized to whatever you want). The Bakfiets is limited to an 8spd internal. Most Long Johns are 3spd. I think the biggest advantage of the Bilenky is the ride geometry. My setup is relatively upright but not Dutch upright and also allows me to stretch out by changing hand positioning. The Bakfiets and Long John, from what I have seen and read are pretty upright and can be a bit cramped.

Link: Bilenky

Bakfiets

A bakfiets is a cargo bike from the Netherlands that has a large trough or box at the front, traditionally for transporting goods. Bakfiets can carry up to 175 pounds in the cargo area alone, which includes seating for two small children. Companies like Clever Cycles are making these bikes available in the U.S. There’s a blog about them here.

Related posts:

1. Efficient Cargo Bike: The Bilenky Russ Roca has posted a great review of the...
2. The Best Commuter Bikes Of 2009 The sales of commuters bikes in the U.S. have...
3. New Longtail Utility Bike: The Madsen kg271 Here’s a rare find — a new longtail bike....

Recently, we featured men’s cruiser bicycles. Now let’s take a look at women’s cruiser bikes, which have become very popular in recently years. Nearly every major bike manufacturer now offers at least one cruiser model, if not an entire line. Here are some of the best: (more…)

Related posts:

1. Optimal Ride: Best Cruiser Style Bicycles “Cruisers”, the sturdy, balloon-tired bicycles that were a common sight...
2. The Best Commuter Bikes Of 2009 The sales of commuters bikes in the U.S. have...
3. Efficient Urban Bikes: Felt X-City 1 & Dahon Jack Versatile urban travel: the Felt X-City 1 bike, and...

LED systems are natural choice for mountain bikers given their efficient power consumption, durable construction and distinctive white light. Finding quality LED light systems for mountain bikes under $300 isn’t easy, so we’ve scoured the net and studied dozens of reviews from Amazon, MTBR.com and retailers to find the LED systems that stand out as performance-meets-affordable. Read more on LED Light Reviews.

Related posts:

1. Motion-Sensing LED Lights: A Review Motion-sensing LED lights — these lights are perhaps the...
2. Best Backyard Compost Tumblers Composting is a great way to reduce the amount of...
3. The Tri-L: A Portable LED Work Light I’ve been testing the battery-powered Tri-L LED work light...

OptimalRide Review: Top Cruiser Bikes

“Cruisers”, the sturdy, balloon-tired bicycles that were a common sight on American streets through the 1950s, have seen a serious spike in popularity lately. Their throwback style is attracting commuters and other riders for some very good reasons. We review seven top cruiser bikes — read more on Optimal Ride.

Related posts:

1. New On Optimal Ride: The Best Around-Town Bike Panniers We review around-town bike panniers on Optimal Ride. ©...
2. Bikes + Spring: Efficient The most efficient land vehicle goes well with spring....
3. The Best Women’s Cruiser Bikes: 2010 Recently, we featured men’s cruiser bicycles. Now let’s take...

We review around-town bike panniers on Optimal Ride.

Related posts:

1. Optimal Ride: Best Cruiser Style Bicycles “Cruisers”, the sturdy, balloon-tired bicycles that were a common sight...
2. New On Optimal Ride: GoCycle: An Innovative Folding Electric Bike Optimal Ride has been on a bit of a...
3. Trailerbikes: A 2008 Review and Buying Guide A trailerbike is a one-wheeled bike extension that attaches...

The Dahon Jack folding bike. It weighs 28.4 pounds (or 12.9 kg). I’ve treated this bike harshly for a year now, and I haven’t had any problems with it. It costs $459.

The Dahon Espresso. It has 21 gears instead of 8. It weighs 13.3 kg (or 29.3 lb). I’m currently testing this bike — so far it been as durable as the Dahon Jack. It costs $370.

Related posts:

1. Dahon Jack: An Inexpensive Folding Commuter Bike I’ve been testing a folding commuter bike, the Dahon...
2. Efficient Urban Bikes: Felt X-City 1 & Dahon Jack Versatile urban travel: the Felt X-City 1 bike, and...
3. Electric Folding Bikes: Ultra-Efficient City Travel Folding bikes are particularly efficient when used in conjunction...

Here’s a rare find — a new longtail bike. This bike is called the kg271, and it’s made by Madsen Cycles. They describe the bike as an “urban utility bike”. It comes in two versions: one with a rack built with oversized steel tubing, and another version with a bucket that incorporates a removable seat and two seatbelts.

(more…)

Related posts:

1. The Best Cargo Carrying Bikes Of 2009: A Review If you are interested in carrying cargo on your...
2. Triobike: An Innovative Cargo Bike Straight out of the heart of Copenhagen, comes the...
3. The Best Folding Bikes Of 2008: A Review Folding bikes are useful for anyone interested in taking...

The sales of commuters bikes in the U.S. have grown quickly in the last couple years. Commuter bikes are those that include features useful for commuting to work or around town — like fenders, chain guards, storage racks, comfortable seats, lights and puncture-resistant tires.

Let’s take a look at some the best commuter bikes of 2009:

(more…)

Related posts:

1. The Best Cargo Carrying Bikes Of 2009: A Review If you are interested in carrying cargo on your...
2. New Longtail Utility Bike: The Madsen kg271 Here’s a rare find — a new longtail bike....
3. OHM Electric Bikes From Canada Based in British Columbia, OHM Cycles make high-end electric...

I’ve been testing a folding commuter bike, the Dahon Jack. This is a good quality bike that feels solid when riding. I like the ergonomic grips on the handlebars and the full-size 26 inch wheels. I get a lot of flats, so the bike’s Schwalbe Big Apple tires were a welcome inclusion. Dahon says that these tires, which include Kevlar anti-puncture lining, offer lower rolling resistance than thinner tires. (more…)

Related posts:

1. Efficient Urban Bikes: Felt X-City 1 & Dahon Jack Versatile urban travel: the Felt X-City 1 bike, and...
2. The Best Folding Bikes Of 2008: A Review Folding bikes are useful for anyone interested in taking...
3. Efficient: Inexpensive, Folding, Full-Size Bikes The Dahon Jack folding bike. It weighs 28.4 pounds...