Yuba Boda Boda

Yuba Boda Boda LUX. Credit: yubabikes.com

A bike that can carry stuff is a useful bike.  A bike that can carry a whole lotta stuff is a whole lotta useful. The Yuba Boda Boda is a whole lotta lotta useful.

Cargo bikes are well-established as a great option for those who wish to live carfree. The problem with cargo bikes is that they’re heavy. You wouldn’t want to lug them up and down a flight of stairs. Yuba tackled the flight-of-stairs problem with the Boda Boda by making the frame from lightweight aluminum and more compact than the typical cargo bike. In 2012, Outside Magazine named it the best $1,000 utility bike.

Oh, and we can add the Boda Boda to Edwin's list of bikes that come with dynamo lights.  The Boda Boda LUX comes with Shimano dynamo-powered Spanninga LED headlights and taillights.

Here is my 2013 write-up on the Boda Boda.

Honorable Mention: Yuba Mundo.  The Mundo is a full-fledged cargo bike that David wrote about back in 2008, and Tom did an update on in 2010.

#6 Mendo's Novara Corsa

Mendo's commuter. She's car-free! Courtesy: mendocino04

Mendo tells us about her bike:

I chose my bike when I was bike commuting. So, for practicality it has full fenders, lights, a rack, seat bag filled with tools and spares and a patch kit, a bell, AND a kickstand. It's my only transportation; I've been car-free for over five years. I was laid off, but to stay in bike commuting shape I now ride the trails in my city - 15 miles a day. I've long since replaced the original tires with skinnier ones, replaced the back wheel after an accident, and I've learned how to do basic maintenance and to keep my drivetrain beautifully clean. I love my bike. I ride it year-round without complaint. I haul groceries with it. I run errands with it. It gets me where I need to go.

I bought it when I was bike-commuting in 2010 and added all the commuting necessities - rack, lights, etc. When I wore out the 700x40 tires that came on the bike I went smaller - 700x35, and now I'm faster. Other than the replaced wheel (from an accident) and the tires it's still got all its original equipment although some of it is getting pretty worn: handlebar grips, seat, etc.  I also bought it because it's got an aluminum frame and even weighed down by accessories I can easily carry it upstairs to my apartment every day. I needed to consider carrying it when I considered frame geometry, etc. 

Car-free isn't difficult when you get used to it.  You tend to get creative with carrying loads, like two 12-packs of diet soda plus two full grocery bags!  Good rain gear, good lights, and good accessories make it pretty easy.  In case you're interested, I wrote about living car-free on my blog: 

 http://mendocino04.wordpress.com/2013/08/09/life-on-the-bike/ 

happybikechain (@mendocino04)

A Tale of Two Longtails

I had the opportunity to ride two longtail cargo bikes that are both compatible with the Xtracycle standard and both less than $1000. Longtails have an stretched frame to handle huge loads behind the rider.  

The Sun Atlas Cargo is a purpose built longtail like the Surly Big Dummy or the Yuba Mundo.   The Altas Cargo falls below both of these bikes in price while keeping a funky Mixte-Kruisframe geometry and comfortable ride.   

Sun rates the cargo capacity at 400 lbs and the bike feels solid with rails with frame ports to accept Xtracycle accessories.   The 2.1-inch wide tires and BMX bars provide an upright, relaxed ride. 

Most of the time when I ride one-size-fits all bikes I find the reach to be too short, but the Atlas Cargo is surprisingly comfortable reach.  If the Yuba is like riding a pickup truck then the Atlas Cargo is more like an old Jeep Scrambler.   The BMX bars can be rotated to adjust the reach as well. 

The Sun Atlas Cargo was priced at $600 at Bikes@Vienna.  How can they offer it so cheap?  Look at the component list --lots of bottom of the barrel stuff here.  But hey, you can upgrade as things wear out.  The frame is solid and ready to carry whatever you can throw at it.

No one will argue that longtails are not incredibly useful as car replacements.  Storing them is another matter.   It's tough to haul them up stairs or squeeze them into a shed.   Even taking them for a ride in the car is tough. 

Xtracycle teamed up with Tern to offer the Cargo Joe, a folding longtail.   This a great idea who's time has come.   The Tern platform as 26-inch wheels and 21 speeds and comes in two frame sizes.  The Xtracycle bits are a FreeRadical, a HDPE Flightdeck and Freeloader bag set.  You get it all for $1000, which is not bad at all.  At some point down the road you could still repurpose the FreeRadical on an old hardtail mountain bike still have a nice folding bike. 

I felt a little cramped on the Cargo Joe, but I'm not sure what frame size I was riding, I realized.  Like most folding bikes, they adjust easily to fit most riders.  It felt a lot shorter and quicker than the Atlas Cargo, but a bit more flexy with it's higher pressure tires.  Of course the real trick is that you can fold it in half and shove it in the shed or minivan without sacrificing utility.

Yuba Boda Boda

Boda Boda stepover and stepthrough. Credit: Yuba

The Yuba Boda Boda cargo cruiser is available at Bikes at Vienna and other local bike shops.  The typical price appears to be about $1,000.

Yuba had already perfected the long-tail cargo bike in the form of the Yuba Mundo, which is capable of replacing your car for most local errands.  For urban apartment or condo dwellers, however, the heavy, bulky cargo bike presented of challenge in terms of storage and just getting the thing up the stairs.  Boda Boda appears to be Yuba's solution, a lighter (35 lbs.) shorter cargo bike with a handhold for carrying it up a flight of stairs. 

The Boda Boda has an integrated rear rack and is capable of carrying an impressive amount of weight.  It's available both as a step-through and a "step-over."

In October 2012, Outside Magazine named the Boda Boda the best utility bike for $1,000.  There's also a review by Cyclelicious.

Here are the full specs as of June 27, 2012:

FRAME

BODA BODA FRAME, AL 6061

FORK

26"X2.125, CR-MO, OLD:100W, 400.5 LENGTH, 40 OFFSET,

DYNAMO BRAZE ON

WHEELS

FRONT RIM 26" X 26MM, DOUBLE WALL, 32 HOLE, NO DECALS

REAR RIM 26" X 26MM, DOUBLE WALL, 36 HOLE, NO DECALS

FRONT HUB MODUS NUTTED, 32 HOLE, CRMO AXLE, LOOSE BALL, DOUBLE SEALED, GROUND RACE, DUAL LOCK NUTS

REAR HUB MODUS NUTTED, 36 HOLES, CASSETTE, CRMO AXLE, LOOSE BALL

SPOKES 2.0MM, 14G, STAINLESS 3X FRONT AND REAR

SPOKE NIPPLE 2.0MM X 12MM BRASS, INCLUDED WITH SPOKES

FRONT TIRE KENDA 26" X .1.95", WIRE BEAD, 30TPI

REAR TIRE KENDA 26" X .1.95", WIRE BEAD, 30TPI

INNER TUBES CST/KENDA SHRADER VALVE (A/V), 1.2MM THICKNESS

TRANSMISSION
CRANK SET LASCO 170MM, JIS, 4-BOLT

CHAINWHEELS LASCO 38T, W/ GS0 STEEL OUTER GUARD, INCLUDED WITH CRANK SET

BOTTOM BRACKET VP JIS, CARTRIDGE SEAL, W/ CAPLESS STAINLESS STEEL BOLTS

CHAIN KMC 1/2"X3/32", APPROXIMATELY 125 LINKS

REAR DERAILLEUR SRAM MEDIUM CAGE, 7-8 SP, 1:1 RATIO

REAR DER SHIFTER SRAM 8SPD,

TRIGGER SHIFTER, RIGHT

CASSETTE SRAM 8 SPD, 11-32, STEEL


COCKPIT

PEDALS VP NYLON PEDAL, LOW PROFILE

HEAD SET VP STEEL, 1-1/8", THREADED

STEM PROMAX LARGE = 100MM, SMALL = 80MM EXT., 25.4MM QUILL DIAMETER, ALUMINUM

HANDLEBARS PROMAX FRENCH CITY BARS, >600MM WIDE, 70MM RISE, >196MM GRIP AREA TAPE / GRIPS VELO CORK, REQUIRES GLUE FOR INSTALLATION SADDLE CIONLLI WITH SPRING

SEAT POST PROMAX ALLOY, 30.2MM,

LARGE = 500MM, SMALL = 400MM
SEAT CLAMP PROMAX QR

BRAKE

FRONT BRAKE PROMAX DIE CAST ALLOY V BRAKE, 125MM ARM, 60MM 1PC PAD

REAR BRAKE PROMAX DIE CAST ALLOY V BRAKE, 125MM ARM, 60MM 1PC PAD

BRAKE LEVERS PROMAX TRIGGER SHIFTER, SILVER LEVER, ED BLACK BODY

OTHER

DECK 8MM THICK, BAMBOO,

KICKSTAND MASSLOAD YUBA SIDE STAND

BELL YWS DING DONG BELL, 60MM, STEEL

Workcycles Fr8

Fr8, the family version. Credit: Workcycles.

The Fr8, from Workcycles, is available from Clever Cycles for $2200, without racks or child seat.

The Fr8 is the "do-anything bike" at its finest.  Here's how Workcycles describes it:

The Fr8 (pronounced like "freight") is our modular, city-utility bicycle system.  It can be configured and outfitted for many heavy-duty purposes: delivery, industry or carrying kids and groceries.  Thanks to an enormously stiff, low instep frame, robust construction, sophisticated geometry and special carriers it does it all with ease.

According to Workcycles, the load capacity is 250 kg, or "one parent, up to 3 kids, and lots of groceries."  In other words, the Fr8 may be able to replace your minivan.

The Fr8 has been mentioned and photographed by EcoVelo and Brooks England. Also, here's a great write-up by Fr8 owner mamafiets.

Here are some specs:

• "Adaptive Seat Tube" quickly adjustable for riders of about 160-200cm


• TIG welded Chro-Mo frame and fork

• Heavy duty wheels with aluminum rims, 13g stainless spokes

• Vredestein Moiree or Schwalbe Big Apple tires w/ Kevlar antiflat belts

• Shimano front roller brake

• Hub dynamo, halogen headlamp, LED taillamp with standlight

• Fully enclosed chain-case, painted stainless steel fenders

• Wide double leg centerstand

• Stainless steel handlebar, stem and all hardware

For options, Workcycles says there are too many to list.  Here are a few important ones: Shimano Nexus 3-speed or 8-speed internal gear hubs; coaster or hand rear brake; Brooks leather saddle; city front carrier; long rear carrier; lock box; child saddle on frame behind handlebar; Trelock defender wheel block; bell.

In other words, Workcycles took everything useful and put it all on one bike.

Trek Transport

The 2012 Trek Transport, including Bontrager bag.  Credit: Trek website.

While we're on the subject of 2012 Treks, we should mention a clear winner: the Transport cargo bike from the Gary Fisher Collection.  The MSRP is $1,390.

This is a cargo bike done the right way.  I'm very happy that Trek, having swallowed up the Gary Fisher brand, is at least continuing to execute some of his best ideas.  The Transport comes with well-designed, well-proportioned front and rear racks, fenders, disc brakes (makes good sense on a fully-loaded cargo bike), and kickstand (the specs say it's a double kickstand, but the photos show a regular kickstand). 

Now here's a feature I really like: flip-flop dropouts.  This means you can have vertical or horizontal dropouts, which allows you to choose whether you want a derailer with multiple gears, a single speed, or an internal gear hub.  Versatility is nice.

You can also opt for the Transport Plus, which gives you an electric assist. 

What are the Trek marketers trying to tell us about this bike? Click for big.  Credit: Trek.

Here are a couple of reviews of the 2010 Transport:

Bicycle Design

Cyclelicious

The 2012 specs:

Colors: Matte Metallic Bronze

Frame: Trek Aluminum cargo design w/folding load racks

Fork: Alloy, straight blade w/lowrider mounts

Sizes: 17, 20"

Wheels: Shimano disc alloy hubs; heavy-duty double-wall 36-hole alloy rims

Tires: Bontrager H4 Hard-Case Plus, 26 x 1.5"

Shifters: Shimano M360 Acera, 8-speed trigger

Front derailleur: Shimano Altus

Rear derailleur: Shimano M360 Acera

Crank: FSA Alpha Drive, 38/28 w/guard

Cassette: Shimano HG31 11-32, 8 speed

Pedals: Wellgo nylon body w/alloy cage

Saddle: Bontrager H1

Seatpost: Bontrager SSR

Handlebar: Bontrager Capital OS Urban

Stem: Bontrager SSR OS, 10 degree

Headset: Slimstak, semi-cartridge bearings, sealed

Brakeset: Shimano M416 mechanical disc front brake, Tektro linear-pull rear brake w/Tektro alloy levers

Grips: Bontrager Satellite Plus, ergonomic

Extras: Folding rear load racks, front rack, Bontrager Transport cargo bag, fender, wide-stance double kickstand

A Year and a Half with the Torker Cargo-T

Back in 2009 I was looking for the perfect transportation bike. I needed something that I could ride to work, a 7+ mile ride one way that's fairly flat. I wanted to be able to commute in my work clothes, so it had to have full fenders and a decent chain guard. Another requirement was a grocery getter since we have three grocery stores within a 3 mile radius. I ended up with a Torker Cargo-T ordered from a local Torker Dealer. 

The Cargo-T is a copy of the Batavus Personal Delivery Bike minus the galvanized frame, chaincase, wheel lock, dyno hub, rear roller brakes and other Dutch goodies. The Cargo-T was a discounted 2008 version that came with a Shimano 3 speed and coaster brake with a front roller brake.

What's worked:

• The lack of rim brakes is great for the rain (and those lazy with bike maintenance). The front brake can lock up the wheel and just requires a little grease every 6 months or so.
• I've thought about swapping out the 26x 1.95 Kenda tires, but they've held up well, soaked up bumps and are generally forgiving
• I'm completely spoiled by the headset lock (keeps the front wheel fixed when parked)
• The front and rear racks are beefy and they're used to carry adult passengers in Europe, so they shrug off bags of ice and gallons of milk.
• The step through frame is great for mounting with a full load. I guess I'm spoiled now by being able to do sidesaddle moving dismounts.

Components that were replaced:

• The double kickstand failed on the first use. Torker sent a beefier-looking replacement and has worked flawlessly since.
• The pedals that came with the Cargo-T were plastic with a nubby rubber surface. The nubs were ground to a pulp after a few months. Apparently they were not made to withstand hiking boots in 20 degree temps.
• The plastic rim tape was installed incorrectly that caused a flat. I've been meaning to replace the tape in both wheels but haven't gotten around to it.
• The rear wheel was missing a spoke nipple. I'm told this *never* happens, but yep, I was missing one.
• The chain guard has cracked so now the bike is missing part of it (see photo). It looks, um, not so great, but it works. I would like to replace with a full chaincase if possible.

Things I've added that work well:

• I got the ultralight mirror after seeing it on Dotties Rivendell.
• The tiny black bell that came with the bike is now on my folder. I've added a proper Crane brass hammer strike bell that really is louder with a nice long sustain.
• I was excited that the Cargo-T has frame mounts for a wheel lock; however, I had to zip-tie my Velo-Orange wheel lock in place because it's too narrow for the mounts. Wheel locks are great on a big heavy bike like this one. I can't image fetching carryout with a U lock.
• The bike now has three baskets... a Wald mountless basket zip-tied to the front and two Wald folding baskets on the rear rack. All are zip-tie mount. I can carry 4 bags of groceries now.
• The MKS RMX pedals look great and do a better job of gripping tennis shoes than rubber-topped pedals.
• I used the light mount on the front rack and some stainless hardware to make a Planet Bike Blaze mount.
• The sprung vinyl saddle that came with the bike worked OK, but was a little, ah, swampy in the summertime. I'm (still) breaking in my VO Model 8 saddle. It's a little squeaky at this point but it looks fantastic.

Two questions I always get: "How much does it weigh? Isn't it slow with the three speed?" OK, so it's heavy, about 50 lbs with the current array of baskets. It isn't particularly slow unless your climbing. I've had people on road bikes, after catching up with me after a stop, comment on how I was riding "faster than expected for the bike." They may have meant "for someone not wearing lycra" but I'll let that go. I like the three speed, but have often wished for a 7 or 8 speed. You'll just be in a sub-optimal gear sometimes and have to push harder... not the end of the world.

Bags for Bikes

We’re going to talk about bags on this post. There are literally hundreds of types of bags for carrying loads on your bicycle at price points from $20 all the way to $200 plus. A decent bag should be constructed with sturdy materials and strong stitching to last through more than one commuting season. The design of the bag is important to make sure it will stay put and provide access to its contents while keeping them out of the weather. The size or type of the bag will depend if you’re using it for camping, commuting, holding your wallet and keys, or just keeping a few tools at hand. I’ve asked Freewheel for some input as we take a look at some decent all-purpose bags that will work well for commuting but might come in handy on a light tour.

Bags that hang on your handlebars:

These are bags that can work on several handlebar types (like mustache bars) and hold smaller items (less than 5 liters, usually). They strap to your handlebars instead of to a rack.
 
 
Freewheels’ Pick: The VO Bag

Baguette Bag, which also works as a saddlebag. It cost $34. However, it holds everything I need to take with me when I'm not hauling anything: tools, spare tubes, wallet, keys, cell. There's even room leftover for small purchases. (Apparently you can also take all that out and carry a baguette around, but I haven't tried that).

Tom’s Pick: My choice is the very similar Rivendell Brand V Bar Bag is a simple tube bag with velcro straps. The V is for Vegan since it contains no leather. The form factor is exactly the same as VO’s Baguette bag.
 

Other choices:
Acorn has three choices of sturdy made-in-the-USA bags for handlebars A simple nylon bag like this one from REI will work fine for smaller items.
Bags for a front rack or decaleurs: For the drop-bar crowd the popular choices are the boxy bar bags, which mount best on decaleurs, which are bag mounts that are typically attached to a small front rack. Bikes that can handle a front load can holder larger porteur bags. Folders and touring bikes work well with low-mounted front panniers.
Tom’s Pick: The Pelican Porteur Bag from Swift Industries. You can custom order this colorful bag or even order it along with a rack.
 

Freewheel’s Pick: Ortleib panniers (see more under panniers below).
Other choices: Boxy bar bags constructed of canvas like those at VO and Rivendell.

Nylon quick-release bags like the Banjo Brothers and Rixen & Kaul bags. Alan from EcoVelo recommended the Rixen and Kaul bags to me for my folding bike.

A small bag maker from Philadelphia, PA, Laplander Bags, has started making a very rich-looking porteur bag on the high end of the price range.
Bags for your saddle: These bags are great for keeping on your bike with essential tools, etc. This is one type of bag you can find at your local bike store. You can get larger saddle bags (5-11 liter) but beware they may rub the backs of your legs when you pedal, if that kind of thing annoys you.
Freewheel’s Pick: His trusty VO Baguette Bag, which doubles as a saddle bag complete with a loop for your blinkie.
Tom’s Pick: Minnehaha’s medium saddle bag, made of black canvas. It looks good, holds 8 liters or so, and the prices is right. Banjo Brothers Barrel Bag is a good choice for a smaller bag.

Other Choices:
There are hordes of cyclists out there who will use nothing but traditional touring bags from Carradice and Gilles Berthoud, so you probably can’t go wrong there. You can get less expensive Asian-made copies of these bags by Zimbale and Minnehaha. Origin8 makes traditionally styled bags out of nylon instead of canvas. If you’d like something handmade then take a look at the Towpath Duffle from Laplander. If wool tweed is more your style there plenty of choices over at Rivendell.
 

Rear Panniers:
Panniers are really the superior way to carry loads down low on your rear rack. They also leave the top of the rack free for carrying children, pizza, firewood or the like.
Tom’s Pick: Dutch Double Saddle Bags like Clarijs, CleverChimp and Basil
  These are large boxy bags (40L total capacity) that straddle your rear rack and made of waterproof tarp-type material. They generally live on your bag and sometimes have cutouts to slide a lock through for good measure. The boxy shape means that you'll have heel-strike issues unless you have long chainstays, so these are not great for typical road bikes. 

Photo: Rob
Freewheel's Pick: Ortlieb. I've been using these for years to haul all kinds of stuff in all types of weather. I've carried laptops through downpours with no worries. They truly are waterproof, and virtually indestructible. They've survived my worst crashes and wipeouts. They are very easy to latch and unlatch to your racks. With four of these (2 front, 2 back), you're in good shape for bike camping and touring.

Photo: REI

Other choices:
Bushwacker, Jadd and Arkel all make heavy-duty nylon panniers in various colors and sizes.
 
Swift Industries makes very nice panniers at a reasonable price. The folks at Path Less Pedaled used these bags every day for a year if you need a recommendation.

What if you could have only one bag? So this is one of those silly bonus categories, but I had to throw it in. If you have one bag it has to do lots of things pretty well.
Freewheel’s Pick: Ortleib Panniers. They’re tough and keep your gear dry.
Tom’s Pick: Sackville SlickerSack. OK, OK, so this is an odd bag. It’s flat like a suitcase, but rounded enough not to catch a headwind. It can hold a laptop inside or a pizza or sleeping bag on top. It fits on porteur rack or Nitto Platrack. It also looks great and will probably last a long time.
 

Other types of Bags: We missed a couple types of bike bags like rack-top bags, basket bags, frame bags and bento bags. And there are plenty of bags that you can wear as well. If you have a favorite bag, please add it in the comments!

Photos: Provided by Manufacturer unless noted otherwise

München, Deutschland

Snowbound, hard-working Bikes For The Rest Of Us parked in the courtyard near Munich, Germany.

Photo Credit: Abby Ross