Comments on: The Best Cargo Carrying Bikes Of 2009: A Review

By: Alastair Langdon

Alastair Langdon — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 20:35:36 +0000

I agree with Michael, a tandem makes a perfect base for a cargo bike, checkout the Circe Helios Duo. A tandem that quickly converts to a load carrier.

By: Phil

Phil — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 13:25:30 +0000

I’ve been riding a Mundo in Bath UK for a month now, and I find it invaluable. 21 gears get me up some very steep roads ( one is 1 in 8 ), the handling is predictable, very stable smooth ride thanks to the long wheelbase and low centre of gravity. I’ve yet to haul a big load up to my allotment, but I don’t anticipate any problems moving six rubble sacks full of manure.

By: Tinker

Tinker — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 02:14:01 +0000

The Treck Cargo-T is, yet another cargo bike but it also is more commonly available and at a remarkably low price-point compared to the others. The Cargo T is made for Treck in taiwan, and is a de-contented dutch bike to get the price down ($600-$640?), sold by Seattle Bicycle. Comes with a sturdy latch to keep the front wheel from flopping under load, and STOUT front rack, arear rack, too. Looks like 26×2.125″ tires in the pictures I have seen, and a Sturmey-Archer 3 speed hub in the rear wheel.

The Kona Ute and the Yuba Mundo are solider, not as prone to flexing under load as an Extracycle, of course, as they were built as a cargo bike from the ground up. But they are rather pricey, for people who flinch at paying $600 “just for a bicycle”?

By: Chabi

Chabi — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 18:34:47 +0000

I have had the 2009 mundo for a few months now. The only problem I have come across with it was that the guys who assembled it for me didn’t know what they were doing, but with some tweaks here and there, I am now fully capable of carrying my girlfriend (and sometimes others as well) to work everyday in and out of the floodplain of the Patomac. I think I may be the only person in DC with one right now, but even the xtracycle fans I have seen have been pretty blown away with it.

I would also say that the likelyhood that the xtracycle fans writing here actually have seen the kona or the mundo is low–they are not very common yet. The mundo doesn’t have the xtracycle flex problem, and I haven’t felt like I needed the 18 gear option as of yet, though I most likely will convert to that when I need to eventually replace the gears. I don’t have kids, but I know it is set up to hold 2 child seats, and is tough enough for a pretty substantial front hook up as well, if you wanted to do that.

I think the big competition with it is the Kona, which is just a sexy combo. But I am not sure which can carry more weight.

By: Kathleen McDade

Kathleen McDade — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 23:46:53 +0000

Nice overview. I think it’s great that there are now TOO MANY cargo bikes to include them all! I use the Xtracycle Radish that Rick mentioned above; it’s great for carrying both kids and groceries and can be used as a primary vehicle.

By: Rick Pickett

Rick Pickett — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 15:57:07 +0000

Also of cargo bicycle interest, Radish. We’ve got a mini-website set up showcasing her features at http://helloradish.com

By: siouxgeonz

siouxgeonz — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 02:09:58 +0000

I got my Xtracycle in 2006. Didn’t have to “easily” adapt a tandem or support Wally World… it’s not adapting… it *IS* designed to be a sports utility bicycle. My local TV channel was all over it tonight

By: BAW

BAW — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 00:16:43 +0000

What about the Metrofiets, the Organic Engines Long Juan, HPM’s Long Haul, and the CETMA Cargo Bike?

Or the Madsen?

Or the RANS Hammertruck?

And as for the person who advocated modifying a cheap tandem–you get what you pay for.

By: Rick Pickett

Rick Pickett — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 23:34:39 +0000

FYI, Xtracycle sells their cargo bicycle adapter, FreeRadical; their complete longtail cargo bike, Radish; and Surly’s Big Dummy through their website.

Help support our small company by buying direct. Any questions, please call us at 888 537 1401.

Happy Trails!

Rick @ Xtracycle

By: jessiej

jessiej — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 16:16:58 +0000

My husband and i are Xtracycle riders. We took old mountain bike frames and added the freeradical kits. Its great for grocerys and other errands. I ride to work everyday, so its nice to have it when i bring my work out bag and a lunch and anything else i need. A friend has a Big Dummy that he turned into a BoomBike that we use on our Full Moon cruiser rides for random parking lot dance parties. Quite fun!