Factory Longtail Cargobikes (17 so far)

[spinningmagnets]

2-wheeled longtail cargo bikes seem to be growing in popularity, and with some recent postings of satisfied ES members, I suspect we will see more of them soon. I started collecting info on what's available for my friends at the Local Bike Shop (LBS), and I thought some here might be also interested. Longtails usually have lots of frame space for batteries and nonhub motor options, and since they are heavier, and also are intended to carry cargo, they are a perfect candidate for adding electric power.

For quite a while now, Xtracycle has been making a longtail accessory that attaches to a standard bike frame to make it a longtail. They deserve special mention because they developed a cargo system that other companies have integrated into their bikes, so you can buy a cargobike from several choices, but still use existing xtracycle accessories (such as racks and bags). If you are unsure if your bike frame will fit the Xtracycle accessory, they have begun making a frame that is guaranteed to fit well. As a result, they now call the accessory the "Free-Radical" and their frame-set is the Radish.



Here is the DIY longtail bike thread, for those who have the tools and skills, and want to save some money. The pic is a full-suspension that Dogman built very affordably, using parts from two bikes.
http://endless-sphere.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=9673

 

[spinningmagnets]

The current sales leader by a large margin is the Yuba Mundo. You can purchase a bare frame for under $600. The frame is called Hi-10 steel, and the stock forks are CroMo.

The head tube accepts any 1-1/8 steer tube, but its length may require you to buy a new fork and trim it to fit. Also, when buying a suspension fork, exercise caution as a long fork travel can upset the steering geometry, so you may want a short-travel suspenson fork. The factory solid forks have both rim and disc-brake mounts, and will accept a fat 2-1/2" tire width.
http://yubaride.com/mundo-cargo-bike

2WD Electric Yuba Mundo Build
http://www.endless-sphere.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=36959
Several Yuba Mundo builds
http://endless-sphere.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=26413
Philistines Yuba Mundo Station Wagon
http://endless-sphere.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=30679
My Yuba Mundo V2 build (beta)
http://endless-sphere.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=29681
Motorcycle class cargobike
http://endless-sphere.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=33337
Mundo v4 / Urban Commuter / 48 Volt Ping
http://endless-sphere.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=42509


Trek Transport
Aluminum frame with CroMo fork, has an optional rear-hub electric kit from the factory
http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/town/urban_utility


Sun Atlas Cargo, Accepts Xtracycle cargo accessories, May be the least expensive here.
http://www.sunbicycles.com/product_detail.php?short_code=Atlas+Cargo&cl1=INDUSTRIAL


Kona Ute
29er wheels (but will accept 26" wheels), Cro-Mo, currently does not sell frame alone,
http://endless-sphere.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=35385
http://www.konaworld.com/asphalt_simplicity.cfm?content=ute
http://gearjunkie.com/kona-ute-bike


Xtracycle Radish, Accepts Xtracycle cargo accessories
http://www.xtracycle.com/cargo-bicycles/radish-cargo-bike/radish-2010.html
View attachment 2

Xtracycle Edgerunner, has a 20-inch rear wheel
http://www.xtracycle.com/edgerunner

Rans Hammertruck, Accepts Xtracycle cargo accessories
http://www.rans.com/hammertruck
View attachment 5

Madsen
Rear wheel is 20", mild steel frame with CroMo fork.
http://www.madsencycles.com/bikes/
http://totcycle.com/blog/2011-madsen-cargo-bike-review.html


Surly Big Dummy, Accepts Xtracycle cargo accessories
http://surlybikes.com/bikes/big_dummy
Bens Big Dummy 2011 build
http://endless-sphere.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=30060
http://www.xtracycle.com/cargo-bicycles/big-dummy-cargo-bicycle.html
View attachment 4

Black Sheep, “Out of Step” model (expensive Titanium, $6000)
http://www.blacksheepbikes.com/

Riese and Muller, Transporter Hybrid
http://en.r-m.de/bike/transporter-hybrid/

 

[spinningmagnets]

Since common front or rear hub kits obviously will fit any bike, no additional info for them is needed here.

The currently best-known power system for cargobikes is from a company called Clever-Chimp and its called "Stoke-Monkey". I believe its a de-spoked Crystalyte 407, which directly drives an extra chainring on the Bottom-Bracket (BB, the pedal axle). The system has proven to be very popular, and the only complaint I've read is that the chainring does not freewheel when using E-power. As a result, your feet must always be pedaling when under power.

The Crystalyte 40X series is no longer retailed in North America, and it is well-known to run very quietly. Driving the rear wheel through the BB results in the motor having the use of the rear wheels gears. This helps hill climbing and motor/controller heat a great deal. As of Nov 2011, Crystalyte is selling the new G-series, which may be an option. It is a direct-drive hub similar in size to the old 40X, but it has not been verified to work as a non-hub mid-drive yet. http://endless-sphere.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=34203

http://clevercycles.com/products/stokemonkey/


The urbancommuterstore.com is about to start selling a similar system (scheduled to be available by the end of Oct 2011). Theirs requires no changes to the BB or chainrings, and since it adds a freewheeling jackshaft, the pedals are not required to turn when under power.

http://www.urbancommuterstore.com/
http://endless-sphere.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=26413&start=60#p445575
http://endless-sphere.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=28&t=35008


Driving the BB with a retail non-hub motor kit was pioneered by Cyclone. They are still a viable option, though some customers have been disappointed by its loud noise and also various components being weak, and usually requires upgrading replacement parts soon after initial use. If you are interested in a Cyclone kit, I highly recommend getting the 650W system or larger, as the controller is separate from the motor, and they tolerate heat much better. The separate controller/motor also makes repairs and upgrades easier.
http://www.cyclone-tw.com/index.html

Ecospeed is another company that makes a BB-drive
http://www.ecospeed.com/index.html

 

[pdf]

Some Xtracycle customers were unhappy with the small amount of side-to-side flex of the attachment, and a few even welded the parts together. The company responded by producing a complete longtail cargobike, so the separate attachment is now named the Free-Radical, and the integrated bike from xtracycle is called the Radish.

I think the Radish is just an Xtracycle converted frame; it still uses a bolt-on FreerRadical (I think). It has a custom paint job so that everything is the same color. A purpose built frame is sold by Surly (the Big Dummy), although you can order one on the Xtracycle web site.

There is some debate about whether the extra side flex comes from the frame or from the wheel itself, when highly loaded. I don't notice any extra flex when unloaded but because it can and does carry so much weight, you notice it. If you put 100 lbs or more on any bike and moved the wheel back a foot and a half, I think the wheel might flex a bit. I have an Xtracycle with a Stokemonkey. I have put about 3960 miles on it so far. I ride it most every day for my 13 mile commute to work and sometimes for short errands as well. The large panniers are extremely useful. I don't know the largest load I've every carried but it is certainly a lot. I regularly take it grocery shopping. While you can put a huge load on it, getting it up a hill with the load is another matter. That is the beauty of the Stokemonkey. It will climb every hill I've ever put it up to with any load I've put on it. Unless you tend to haul bags of cement, it would suit about anyone's regular daily needs. If you don't need/want to carry a lot of stuff, the Xtracycle is overkill. But is does enable some amazing feats of carrying capacity.

 

[sk8norcal]

good list!

couple more..

http://www.juicedriders.com/

sycip
http://www.sycip.com/bikes_mtn.html

edit:

http://urbanvelo.org/gary-fisher-el-ranchero-long-bike/

Naked GreenMachine
http://timetogetnaked.com/index.php/2010/06/19/the-greenmachine-a-cargo-bike-story/
http://timetogetnaked.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/P1030141.jpg

 

[John in CR]

Longtails rule! Here's mine before the overhaul that's almost finished. Inside all that duct tape is 74V24ah nominal Konion cells. The updated version is getting 76V18ah nominal of A123 M1's, nice and neat within the triangle with the duct tape to make the pack more water resistant covered. This bike is 60mph capable and can handle long 10% grades with 250lb me aboard. Other than some blown controllers trying to push acceleration performance too far, it's been absolutely trouble free since I built it in Dec '08. Almost 20k miles later our family of 5's car barely leaves the driveway. In fact, we haven't used the car at all since May, and that says a lot, because it covers the bulk of rainy season.




EDIT- I almost forgot. The bike did have one mishap, though I wouldn't call it a breakdown. LFP had it down on the beach at the changing of the tide a year an a half ago, and it got hit broadside by a rogue wave. I hadn't duct taped the hall connector because those wires are so thin I worried about breaking them getting it back off, and salt water got in there knocking it out of commission for a few minutes until we dried it out. 8)

John

 

[999zip999]

Seeing that, just ask for more questions Just got infro on cargo bikes 5hr. ago today and will see new store tomorrow 10mi away. It's in the air.

 

[Zoot Katz]

My conversion to longtails happened ~Sept. ''05.
Xtracycle was the only game in town.

I loved the ride and convenience of having the cargo capacity.
I rode it three years before adding a motor that made it even more versatile.

Electrics is a natural match for cargobikes.

 

[full-throttle]

voicecoils with a stunning Yuba Mundo

 

[Grinhill]

Great thread Spin, good to see them all in one place. 8)

 

[Miles]

Burrows 8 Freight:
http://www.velovision.co.uk/mag/issue9/8freight.pdf

http://www.zerocc.co.uk/hello-world/

 

[pdf]

Great list. I had no idea there were so many cargo bikes.

 

[voicecoils]

In addition to the cool DIY electric Yuba Mundo's, the orange Yuba full-throttle posted uses a eZeebike kit, factory fitted.

Another option is the Yuba with the Stoke Monkey mid drive:

http://www.ebikestore.com/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=171:stoked-yuba&Itemid=150



Also worth noting, the Kona Ute has an aluminium frame. Only the fork is cromo.

 

[Mundo]

Joe Bike in Portland, OR has some cargo bikes, however, it appear they are sold out for the rest of 2011.

http://www.joe-bike.com/cargo-bikes/which-one-is-best-for-you/

 

[Miles]

http://cargocycling.org/
http://www.rideyourbike.com/cargo.html

 

[MattyCiii]

This is one of the best cargo bike builds I've ever seen:


Ride the bike to the store, separate the back half, take the front in as grocery carriage. Genius!
Also the builder shows some great fabrication shots.

The whole photo series is here:
http://fixedgeargallery.com/contest/grocerygetter/DavidMahan.htm

 

[Mundo]

Grocery Getter, very creative!

 

[John in CR]

I remember seeing a clever trike that folded into an upright shopping cart for bringing right in the store, no parking or theft worries and you load directly from the checkout counter into your vehicle. It was definitely the ultimate grocery getter. I should have bookmarked it.

 

[spinningmagnets]

There must be several versions of a bike that folds into a shopping cart, Googled this one, don't know if its the one you were thinking of
http://www.cyclelicio.us/2010/bike-folds-into-shopping-cart/

 

[sk8norcal]

he said a trike....

feetz - a leaner trike


[youtube]I4i8-kR-nck[/youtube]

 

[dbaker]

Totally cool thread

 

[Kent]

+++ absolutely!

 

[Icewrench]

Woody Goes Shopping



http://endless-sphere.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=21251&hilit=woody+goes+shopping

 

[sk8norcal]

hmm, a 4 wheel version of the Feetz...
not sure if its a leaner..
its electric
and folds to a cart..

http://4wieler.nl/
http://www.recumbentblog.com/2010/07/08/shopping/

 

[spinningmagnets]

Recieved a PM from a recent ES member who said that "as of" 2011, the Kona Ute has a rear disc flange (as customers have requested). The rear disc brake may not seem important to some, but it helps more than just having extra stopping power on a downhill with a load on. By having a rear disc brake available as an option (rather than only rim brakes), its easy to swap from one wheel to a different size.

The most popular factory cargo bikes listed here don't have a rear suspension. One option that has been proven, is to use a 20-inch BMX rear wheel, and then mount a fat moped tire. The result will have the same tire diameter as a 24-inch bicycle tire, so it only drops the rear about one inch, compared to the stock 26-inch wheels. The BB would drop only half of that, since its halfway between the wheels.

The few who have posted about using the moped tire also claim it is extremely puncture resistant, along with the obvious benefit of having such a fat tire soak up bumps and potholes on these hardtail frames. I have a Thudbuster seat-post, and I also heartily recommend it for anyone using any hardtail frame, though admittedly, the over $120 price is somewhat steep.

So far I have found postings of ES members who own 3 Mundos, a Big Dummy, an Xtracycle, and a Ute. I would appreciate any factory longtail owners posting why they chose the one that they did, and what they like/dislike about the model they own. Thanks in advance!