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.
The bikes are available directly from Madsen for $1099 (for the rack version) and $1299 (for the bucket version).
See an in-depth review of the Madsen k271 at Tot Cycle. Here’s an excerpt:
They nailed the handling here. Easier to hop on and ride than a bakfiets, which has a bit of a learning curve, and similar in feel to a longtail, but with the advantage of a 20-inch rear wheel for lower load and more sturdy wheel. Unloaded and heavily loaded, it’s got a nice, stable, swoopy ride
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who would use it? and for what?
These longtail bikes look useful – although (let’s admit it), a little dorky.
Does anyone have experience riding one? Are they much harder to maneuver than a regular bike?
Also, it would be great if some made a longtail e-bike — the extra power would surely come in handy for carrying heavy loads.
- Aaron Dalton, Editor, 1GreenProduct.com
Hey Aaron, if you’re interested in a longtail e-bike, you need to fire up The Google, and point it toward “stokemonkey.”
Who would use it?
The version without the bucket would, with appropriate bags, racks, etc, use it to transport all sorts of goods that would never fit on and ordinary bicycle.
The version with the bucket is made primarily for passengers (children or smallish adults).