Brompton

While not made in the USA, like the Bike Friday folding bikes, Brompton folding bikes are often touted as the bike with the most compact folded size and a very quick fold. This makes them a good option for people who need to combine a bike trip with trains or buses which do not allow full-sized bikes, or who want to fly with a bike when visiting another city. They fold down to a package that is a few inches larger than their 16 inch wheels.

The bikes and most of the special components are made in England, and there are many customization options, including all of the options we like here at Bikes for the Rest of Us: fenders, dynamo hub and lights, rear rack and a front bag or basket. Most are sold with a unique 6 speed drivetrain which combines a 3-speed internal gear hub with a tiny 2-speed derailleur.

There is no kickstand option, because the bike itself is designed stand up when folded, and there are small wheels on the rear carrier to allow it to be rolled around like a shopping cart when taken into a store. The front bags or basket attaches directly to the frame, above the small front wheel, instead of to the fork or stem as with most front baskets. This means a front load does not affect handling, and a surprising amount of cargo can be carried on one of these bikes.

Bromptons are also designed with surprisingly quick handling and a slightly leaned-forward position. This combined with small wheels, which accelerate quickly and light weight make it handle more like a road bike than a traditional city bike. The frame is meant to accomodate a range of riders, so taller people will have a more leaned-forward posture, and shorter riders are a little more upright. This can be partially counteracted by different handlebar options.

The most expensive options, including a titanium frame and fork, can cost over $3000 (above).
But the complete bike at the top of the page with 6 speeds, dynamo hub, lights, fender and the addition of a rack is under $2000. The most basic model is just over $1400.

For people in some cities, bike sharing systems, and access for full-size bikes on buses and trains, have made folding bikes less essential for multi-modal trips, but they can still be the perfect solution for some people, so it is no surprise that Clever Cycles in Portland has trouble keeping Bromptons in stock.

Virtue 6

Virtue 6 out and about. Photo courtesy of Virtue bikes.

The Virtue 6 sells for MSRP $ 399.

Special thanks to Robert W. for letting us know about Virtue bikes. Here is what Robert had to say after a test ride:

I took a Virtue Six for a test ride today. It’s a sweet bike, but not quite right for me. I love the look and it was a fun, smooth ride, but it weighs 28 lbs [with fenders] and is a 6-speed. I want a lower low gear to get around in San Francisco. I’m also of two minds about the lack of quick release wheels. They’re less likely to get stolen, but I’d need to carry a wrench. I also wish it had a chain guard. But the price is hard to beat — $425 for the one I tested. 

Virtue 6 with rear rack. Courtesy: Virtue Bikes.

I contacted Virtue and got the inside scoop from owner William Mulyadi.  He said he designed Virtue's first bike, the Virtue One, which came out in the mid-2000's, after asking bike shop customers about their ideal bike.

"It seems Pashley Guv'nor is the winner," William said.  "Knowing that many like the character and feel of the bike but quite limited on the budget, I designed the bike with that idea in mind. Then many requests came for gears [which led to the] Virtue Six; then ladies versions Curve 1 and Curve 6, etc."

Virtue Curve 6.  Courtesy: Virtue Bikes.

William explained that Virtue can keep its prices low (the 6-speeds are $399 and the 1-speed is $299) because they actually own the factories.

Here are the specs on the Virtue 6:

Gloss black full chromoly frame and fork (sizes: 52cm, 56cm, and 60cm)
Fender clearance
Alloy porteur handlebar
Alloy riser stem
Brown Velo stitch grips
Brown Velo riveted saddle
Silver alloy single crankset 46T 170mm
Silver alloy chain guard
Tektro CL530-RS brake levers
Tektro V-Brakes
Wellgo road pedals
Shimano SIS thumb shifter
Shimano Tourney rear derailleur
Shimano 6 speed freewheel 14-28T
Double wall black rims
700x32C Cream Kenda Kwest tires
Silver KMC chain
Front and rear fenders
Silver brass bell
*please note that size 52 and 56 come with quill stem, silver rims, and rear rack
*previous batch of Virtue Six with brown/white 700x32 Kenda tires and wide townie handlebar are still available

William has given me a preview of some other interesting models -- including a cargo bike -- that Virtue will be coming out with soon.  

Pake Urban Six-Speed

Pake, a company previously only for hipster penny-pinchers, now offers a practical town bike.

It's laid back, with 6-speeds, a (black) steel frame and fork, with (black) fenders, (black) chainguard, and a (silver, thankfully) bell. It has removable decals, and a kind of vintage look to it. Best of all, you'll pay

$375 for it at Broadway Bicycle School.

The spec is nothing special, you might as well say, "some parts," but there are some name brand bits here and there, in places that make sense:
• Men's 18" or Ladies 16" step-thru
• Steel frame (black)
• Shimano rear derailleur and freewheel
• Sugino crank
• Shimano Revoshift Twist shifters
• Alloy V-brakes
• Kenda 700x35c tires
• 36h spoke alloy wheels
• Spring saddle-vinyl cover
• Steel fenders (black)
• Plastic chain guard (black)
• Bell (silver, the proper color for a bell, unless it's brass)

The company claims this bike is, "Faster than the Millenium Falcon," but as we all know, that was long long ago, in a galaxy far far away.

Yuba Mundo

The Mundo Utility Bicycle byYuba is available in the US from Rock The Bike, for $799, plus $59 shipping. A review is forthcoming in Velovision, March 2008, and several other press bits & testimonials are available on the Yuba and Rock The Bike websites.
From Rock The Bike:

A simple, rugged, ready-to-ride utility bike.
The Mundo is a long-wheelbase bike with stout cargo racks.
Its one-piece frame fits a wide variety of riders, from approximately 5' to over 6'. The slack seat angle and upright bars put you in a relaxed, upright position in traffic. But while you may not be particularly 'aero' on the Mundo, you can carry heavy, awkward, and bulky loads with ease. Using tension straps to secure boxes, and the soon-to-be-available extra large Ortlieb panniers for smaller items, you'll find the Mundo to a versatile and cheerful companion to your bicycle lifestyle.
Shipping costs are only $59 to the continental US for this heavy duty utility bicycle, despite it's long wheelbase.
The Mundo doesn't come with many name brand parts. But its German designers have spec'ed quality wheels, including the standard 48-spoke rear wheel with oversized axle. When you start carrying heavy loads on a long-wheelbase bicycle you'll quickly come to appreciate the value of a strong rear wheel. The Mundo comes with oversized semi-slick city tires, providing a stable, smooth ride.
We encourage our customers to shop around and investigate their options for utility bicycles. The Mundo stands out by offering exceptional value and simplicity.
FAQ Press & Testimonials Features & Options Related Posts

From Yuba's website:

Full Spec:

• Frame tubing -- Hi-ten steel, integrated cargo/passenger racks, and braze-ons for fenders, a dynamo headlight, and a standard tail light
• Fork -- Cruiser fork D type (threaded steerer)
• Headset -- OEM Threaded Headset 1 1/8" Steel
• Crankset -- FC 170/38t Chainring
• Chain -- Chain UG51 116 Links
• Freewheel -- Shimano 6-speed G 14-28T
• Rear Derailleur -- R/D 6 speed
• Shifters -- Revo-Shift
• Brakes -- OEM V-Brake black
• Brakes Lever -- OEM V-Brake alloy
• Rims -- OEM Rim 559-21 Alu
• Rear Wheel -- Reinforced 48 Spokes (2.34mm)
• Pedals -- Pedal city/Trk 2K Alu
• Tires -- Type cruiser K-1008
• Tubes -- Thorn resistant tube
• Color -- Red or Blue
• Size -- One size fits all

mundo pictures

carrying stuff or people by bike

about yuba